Toyota RAV4 vs Jaecoo J7 SHS
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Toyota RAV4
From $45,990
SUV
Hybrid
Petrol Hybrid
143kW
4.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Jaecoo J7 SHS
From $43,990
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid
105kW
1 kWh/100km
5★ ANCAP
340L
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
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Price Breakdown
The Toyota RAV4 starts from $45,990 before on-road costs, while the Jaecoo J7 SHS opens at $43,990. That makes the Jaecoo J7 SHS the more affordable entry point by $2,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $50,589 and $48,389 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Jaecoo J7 SHS by roughly $6,175 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
18.3kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 40kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 40kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Toyota RAV4 features a 10.5-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Jaecoo J7 SHS gets a 13.2-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Jaecoo J7 SHS counters with wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Toyota RAV4 gets cloth upholstery while the Jaecoo J7 SHS offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Toyota RAV4 uses a Petrol Hybrid producing 143kW, sent through a cvt (e-cvt) to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.4 seconds.
The Jaecoo J7 SHS responds with a Plug-in Hybrid making 105kW and 215Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The Toyota RAV4 has the clear power advantage at 143kW vs 105kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Toyota RAV4 is 1.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota RAV4 measures 4,600mm long on a 2,690mm wheelbase, 100mm longer than the Jaecoo J7 SHS at 4,500mm (2,672mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota RAV4 generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Toyota RAV4 leads with a 800kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 50kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m to 11.4m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,283/year for the Toyota RAV4 and $48/year for the Jaecoo J7 SHS. That is a $1,235 annual difference in favour of the Jaecoo J7 SHS.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota RAV4) vs 8 years / 999,999km (Jaecoo J7 SHS). The Jaecoo J7 SHS has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota RAV4 if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Jaecoo J7 SHS if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Jaecoo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Toyota RAV4 and Jaecoo J7 SHS trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Jaecoo J7 SHS will save you roughly $1,235 a year in fuel. The Jaecoo J7 SHS adds peace of mind with a longer 8-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Toyota RAV4 and Jaecoo J7 SHS?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS is the cheapest at $43,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota RAV4 by $2,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS uses the least fuel at 1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Jaecoo J7 SHS holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Toyota RAV4, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the best warranty?
The Jaecoo J7 SHS has the longest warranty at 8 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota RAV4 makes the most power at 143kW. The Toyota RAV4 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.4s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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