The MG HS is similarly priced in cash terms – and feels less of a leap into the unknown. But Jaecoo’s parent company Chery, certainly looks to be making a commitment to the brand in the UK. And that’s the heart of the matter – the Jaecoo 7 is a moderately appealing thing, and does stand out in a crowd, but it’s a difficult sell for us with so many rough edges – having said that, it’s already selling well, so many buyers are happy to take that leap into the unknown in the pursuit of good value.

What we like

The Jaecoo 7 offers generous kit for the money, especially in Luxury trim, and the plug-in hybrid is refined, quiet and efficient. Passenger space is strong and the cabin feels more upmarket than the price suggests.

What we don’t like

The petrol engine is underwhelming and thirsty compared with rivals, and brand awareness is low. Residual values are an unknown, and finance deals will need to be competitive to tempt buyers away from established names.