Jaecoo J5 EV

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  • 2026

  • Product
    Automotive and Transport

Commissioned By:

Omoda Jaecoo

Designed In:

China

Steve Eum and the Omoda Jaecoo team set out to prove accessible and premium aren’t mutually exclusive. The J5 EV – launched in Australia December 2025 – delivers zero emissions, world-first proprietary pet-friendly cabin materials, and driver-first technology in a compact SUV built for the way Australians actually live.


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  • CHALLENGE
  • SOLUTION
  • IMPACT
  • MORE
  • Electric vehicles in Australia have largely been positioned for early adopters: premium-priced, urban-centric, and designed around a narrow view of the modern household. Omoda Jaecoo set a different challenge for the J5 EV - how to deliver a genuinely accessible electric SUV that reflects how Australians actually live. Before addressing the automotive design requirements Steve and his team focussed firmly on the consumer - how they live, how they choose a car, what’s important to them - the team identified that 75% said their pets influence major household decisions including vehicle choice. No mainstream EV was answering that brief. Yet.

  • The J5 EV was engineered from the inside out. Internally the cabin boasts custom made seat material designed to withstand the wear and tear of pets, exclusive to Omoda Jaecoo and a range of pet-friendly accessories integrated into the design system rather than bolted on. Externally, the same thought and consideration was applied - through consistent market testing and target audience engagement, the result is a durable, premium looking SUV - an EV that meets the broader definition of family.

  • The J5 EV reframes who electric mobility is designed for. By starting with the realities of Australian households, Omoda Jaecoo created an electric SUV that is durable, affordable and inclusive, rather than aspirational and niche. Creating a product in a category once inaccessible to the masses, the J5 EV design removes tailpipe emissions from daily travel, while its hard-wearing interior extends usable life and resists the degradation that typically sends cabins to landfill early. Surpassing 4,000 local orders since launch indicates a strong consumer response to an EV that treats real households, and the animals in them, as first-class users.

  • There’s no hiding the J5’s adventurous spirit. Its rugged exterior takes design elements from off-roading icons and combines it with Jaecoo’s signature style to create a truly unique SUV. Key exterior highlights include an EV-specific front grille with active aero, slimline headlines, sloping roofline and 18-inch alloy wheels. Internally, the cabin the considered design includes:Smart Storage: 20+ smart storage spaces, which includes a dedicated smartphone tray, dual cupholders & concealed central armrest storage.Silent Glass front windows to create a quieter, more refined cabin experience.Versatile Boot Space: 480L of boot capacity, expanding to 1,284L with rear seats foldedPet-Friendly Seats (Summit model): TÜV SÜD certified synthetic seat material that is scratch-resistant, antibacterial, and easy to clean.Technology & Display: The single variant J5 EV comes standard with a wide array of features that were originally unattainable at this price point - highlighted by an 8.8" LCD instrument cluster and a 13.2" central display, intelligent voice command, colour-selectable ambient lighting, a fixed panoramic glass roof, plus heated & ventilated front seats.Safety: 7 airbags are standard, along with a 360-degree panoramic view camera & a suite of active safety technologies.Overall, the J5's design philosophy leans into rugged practicality with a modern, refined aesthetic.