Jaecoo Australia has announced that it’s adding a new variant to its J8 large SUV, with two features it’s not yet offered: A seven-seat layout and plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Due on sale in Australia in the third quarter of 2026, the Jaecoo J8 SHS is the first seven-seater that the brand has offered locally.

Jaecoo Australia is yet to announce full pricing and specifications yet, but has confirmed that the J8 SHS will use the same plug-in hybrid powertrain as the Omoda 9. In that car, it pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with three electric motors and a 34kWh battery.

In the Omoda 9, total outputs for the drivetrain are 395kW of power and 650Nm of torque, which is enough grunt for a claimed 4.9-second 0-100km/h sprint time. Thanks to the large battery, the claimed WLTP electric-only range is 145km in the Omoda 9.

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It’s the first time that the J8 will be offered with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain and a seven-seat layout, both of which were left in China when the J8 launched locally in 2025.

Currently, the J8 is only offered in five-seat form with a 183kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, with power being sent to the front, or all four wheels. Pricing for the petrol J8 starts at $49,990 driveaway for the entry-level Track and $54,990 driveaway for the top-spec Ridge.

“Our customers have been asking for a 7-seat SUV and we’re more than happy to meet their demands with the compelling J8 SHS,” said Roy Munoz Chief Commercial Officer, Omoda Jaecoo Australia. “With a striking design, luxurious interior and advanced hybrid technology, the J8 SHS ticks all the right boxes for not just families, but a wide variety of Aussie buyers.”

Australian pricing and full specifications for the Jaecoo J8 SHS will be announced closer to its third quarter local on sale date.