Jaecoo J7 vs. Volkswagen Tiguan: China’s Newcomer Takes on the German Stalwart in a Mid-Size SUV Showdown

The Jaecoo J7 takes on the established Volkswagen Tiguan: A comparison of the newcomer and the market leader

How does the fresh offering from China stack up against the tried-and-tested vehicle from Wolfsburg? We compare size, space, and engine options…

This mid-sized SUV is among the top contenders in the market, boasting premium features, ample room for passengers and luggage, numerous tech gadgets, and a diverse range of engine choices.

For a long time, numerous models have been attempting to challenge the VW Tiguan's dominant position in the market. Despite the changing trends and years gone by, the Tiguan has consistently maintained its top spot, regardless of the competition. Now, another soon-to-be newcomer from China aims to capture a share of the market. The Jaecoo J7, a compact SUV from the dual-brand Omoda & Jeacoo, has been specifically designed to cater to the preferences of European consumers.

Photo Gallery: Testing the 2024 VW Tiguan

Exterior Design

Visually, the main difference between the Jaecoo J7 and the latest VW Tiguan is their contour styling. The Jaecoo features a more angular design, reminiscent of old-school SUVs, while the model from Wolfsburg boasts smoother curves, increasingly mirroring the aerodynamic shape of the ID series.

The Jaecoo J7's exterior immediately reveals its tech-savvy nature, featuring electrically retractable handles, multilevel LED lights at both the front and rear that resemble a pixel-LED pattern, and alloy wheels crafted with an aerodynamic design.

The Tiguan adopts a distinct design approach with its rounded, wind-cutting shapes, moderately-sized single-tier headlights, continuous light strip at both the front and rear, manual door handles, and an expansive wheelbase. This led to it being shortlisted for the "Car of the Year 2025" award.

Upcoming Jaecoo J7 model,

The 2024 model of the Volkswagen Tig

Inside Look

The cabin of the Jaecoo J7 from China offers a spacious and minimalist design. It also comes standard with features such as double-glazed windows and front seats that are both adjustable by electric controls and equipped with heating, along with heated seats in the back.

The dashboard's design is a nod to the car's boxy exterior, featuring multiple compartments for storage, in line with the currently popular, minimalist aesthetic. Notably, there's a 10.25-inch digital display for the driver. At the center of the dashboard is a 14.8-inch vertical infotainment screen, powered by the Qualcomm 8155 Snapdragon processor, familiar from smartphone technology.

Speaking of spaciousness: There's ample room on board for all five passengers. However, the situation is different when it comes to luggage space. With a trunk capacity of 412 liters, it falls below the segment average.

The interior of the Jaecoo J7

The interior of the third-generation VW Tiguan is definitely more active. Yet, no one has to miss out on technology.

The center of the dashboard features a 12.9-inch or an optional 15-inch fourth-generation Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB4) system. It includes physical shortcut buttons for easy access to key settings.

The standard of quality is consistent with what one expects from VW, and there's no shortage of space to be concerned about. The seating now features a variety of new upholstery choices, including the ergoActive premium seats. The boot capacity is an impressive 652 liters – equivalent to the luggage compartment of a small car.

Interior Details of the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan

Engines

The Jaecoo J7 is set to be available in Europe with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers 145 horsepower. It has been designed to accommodate alternative fuels and hybrid systems, which are expected to be added to the range at a later date. As of now, the full compact SUV is not yet on the market in Germany.

Standardmäßig ist der J7 mit einem automatischen Doppelkupplungsgetriebe und einem intelligenten Allradantriebssystem ausgestattet. Ein hydraulisches Trennsystem ermöglicht eine Drehmomentverteilung von bis zu jeweils 50 Prozent auf die Vorder- und Hinterachse. Zudem ist geplant, eine Plug-in-Hybridvariante, die bereits für den chinesischen Markt vorgestellt wurde, zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt auch in Europa einzuführen.

Upcoming Jaecoo J7 Model Sl

2024 Edition of the Volkswagen Tiguan

Unlike the Chinese model, the VW Tiguan is currently available in a diverse range of options. Whether you prefer diesel, gasoline, a mild hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid, there's a choice for all. Each comes paired with a DSG automatic transmission, and for those versions without electric enhancement, there's the added feature of 4Motion all-wheel drive.

The gasoline engines available are a 2.0-liter TSI offering 204 or 265 horsepower, equipped with all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch transmission. On the diesel side, there's a choice of a 2.0-liter TDI with 150 horsepower and front-wheel drive or a more powerful 193 horsepower version featuring 4Motion all-wheel drive.

The Tiguan is available in an electrified format, offering a mild hybrid version with a 1.5-liter eTSI engine that produces either 130 or 150 horsepower. Alternatively, there's a plug-in hybrid option which pairs a 1.5-liter TSI engine with an eHybrid system, available with either 204 or 272 horsepower and a 19.7 kWh battery that can reportedly provide up to 100 kilometers of purely electric driving.

Pricing

Jaecoo has yet to announce pricing for the European market, but estimates based on other markets suggest a starting price of approximately 40,000 Euros. Meanwhile, the VW Tiguan's starting price is set at 37,150 Euros.

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