JAC J5: prices and specifications

JAC J5 is a compact C-class sedan, one of the first passenger car models of the Chinese brand JAC. The letter "J" in the name stands for JAC, and "5" indicates its belonging to the compact segment.

History

This is a front-wheel drive sedan that JAC engineers developed jointly with the Italian design house Pininfarina. The model premiered in 2008 at the Beijing Auto Show, and serial production began in 2009. In different markets, the car is known as JAC Heyue, JAC Classe B, or JAC B15.

Except for the collaboration with Pininfarina, the J5 can be considered a fully independent development by JAC. Despite its low cost, strict requirements were applied to design and material selection. In terms of equipment, the car is as close as possible to analogues from well-known brands, only inferior in technical characteristics.

Disadvantages include the outdated four-speed automatic transmission and imperfect suspension tuning. Otherwise, it is a typical European car: in terms of seating comfort, material quality, and the ratio of external dimensions to interior space. The placement of seats and controls is comfortable even for tall drivers, indicating that the car was designed not only for short Chinese people.

For Ukraine, the JAC J5 is interesting because its assembly was established locally. In 2012, the company "Bogdan-AvtoTrade" signed an exclusive distribution agreement with China Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd (JAC) for the sale of JAC passenger cars in Ukraine. The official brand presentation took place on September 15, 2013, and sales started in October of the same year.

Exterior

Chinese PR specialists call the JAC J5 the most beautiful car from Pininfarina in the last ten years. The car is indeed attractive, but hardly the best of all. However, if Pininfarina hasn't created anything else in that decade, then their claim might be fair.

According to potential buyers' reviews, many people like the car — primarily because its appearance is not associated with typical Chinese automotive industry.

Interior

The interior design echoes the exterior: no frills, but overall not bad. Material quality is acceptable, although the look is not avant-garde. The dashboard resembles a mix of European or Korean solutions from a decade ago. Those who do not like avant-garde may even appreciate this design.

The seats have adequate lateral support and medium firmness.

The rear row is spacious both in length and width.

The trunk volume is 415 liters with a low loading height.

Engine and Transmission

For the Ukrainian market, two petrol engines were offered: 1.5 L with 105 hp and 1.8 L with 132 hp.

The 1.5 L engine is paired only with a five-speed manual transmission, while the 1.8 L engine is exclusively with a four-speed automatic.

In city driving, average fuel consumption for the 1.5 L engine is about 7 L/100 km, and for the 1.8 L version up to 8–8.5 L/100 km.

Safety

The JAC J5 has not undergone crash tests in Europe but was tested in its home country.

According to the Chinese C-NCAP methodology, the car received five stars. However, this does not guarantee that the EuroNCAP rating would be the same — European safety requirements are significantly stricter.

Features

The main and perhaps only distinctive feature of the JAC J5 is its price with a decent level of equipment.

Most owners complain about poor sound insulation of the rear wheel arches and high noise levels at speeds over 120 km/h.

Popularity in Ukraine

The JAC J5 was a novelty for Ukrainians, but buyers actively voted for it with their wallets.

Our Verdict

A good choice for those who want a new car with decent equipment and a reasonable price. The JAC J5 is not a leader in fuel efficiency or handling, but overall it deserves attention.