Jaecoo 8

Despite its substantial 4.82-metre overall length, the Jaecoo 8 suffers from compromised interior packaging in the rearmost third row. In seven-seat Luxury models, the second-row bench seat does not slide far enough forward, leaving an extremely narrow aperture that requires passengers to awkwardly climb over folded seat backs. Once seated, the third row offers minimal legroom and an uncomfortable knees-up posture due to the raised floor over the hybrid battery pack, rendering the rearmost seats impractical for adults and teenagers on anything beyond short emergency trips. In six-seat Executive models, access between the captain's chairs is easier, but legroom remains severely restricted.

The Jaecoo 8 cabin features an almost buttonless design dominated by large central dual screens that govern all essential driving and comfort parameters. The native operating software features a complex, multi-tiered menu architecture where critical functions—including air-conditioning adjustments, side mirror positioning, and ADAS assistance settings—require navigating several nested screens. Road testers noted occasional display latency, where the screen stutters when switching between high-resolution 540-degree camera views and native navigation. While steering wheel shortcut keys can be programmed, the heavy digital reliance causes notable driver distraction on UK roads.

While the Jaecoo 8 provides a plush, comfortable ride over minor road ripples and motorway expansion joints, its suspension calibration struggles to control the SUV's 2.2-tonne mass over undulating UK tarmac. On undulating B-roads and undulating A-road crests, the car exhibits pronounced vertical float and wallow, with the dampers taking several cycles to settle the body. Concurrently, the electric power steering is tuned with very light weighting and little on-centre feedback, creating a detached sensation when commanding the vehicle's 428 PS hybrid powertrain through faster bends.