Jaecoo 7 SUV Tops UK Car Sales in September 2026

The Jaecoo 7 SUV became the best-selling new car in the UK in September with over 10,800 buyers. This marked its second monthly sales victory in 2024, according to data from the UK's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. In August, the model had already outsold rivals like the Tesla Model 3, Ford Puma, and Kia Sportage.

Plug-in hybrid strength drives Jaecoo 7 success

The Jaecoo 7 SUV is available as a plug-in hybrid model. This powertrain choice aligns with a surging segment. Plug-in hybrids made up 17% of the UK car market in September. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said: "The Jaecoo 7 SUV, available as a plug-in hybrid, was the best-selling new car in the UK in September." Registrations for the category totalled 59,563 new units. Plug-in hybrid sales increased by 55.7% in September, with a total of 59,563 new registrations. Market share for plug-in hybrids grew by 4.8 percentage points compared to September 2023.

Chinese brands gain ground in UK market

The success of the Jaecoo 7 reflects the rapid growth of Chinese automakers in Britain. Chinese vehicles claimed 23% of the UK car market share in September. The Jaecoo brand alone held a 4.3% share. Its parent company, Chery, claimed 2.8%. Chery's total UK sales through September 2026 more than tripled compared to the same period in 2025. Nearly 87,000 vehicles were sold under the Jaecoo and Omoda nameplates combined. Chinese brands accounted for close to one in six new cars purchased in Britain during the first half of 2026. This expansion occurs in a market without the Chinese car tariffs imposed by the European Union.

Jaecoo 7 offers premium appeal at lower cost

A key to the model's appeal is its value proposition. The Jaecoo 7 SUV has a starting price of around £30,000. This undercuts premium rivals significantly. Its starting price is approximately £26,000 less than the Range Rover Velar. The SUV's visual resemblance to the Range Rover Evoque earned it the nickname 'Temu Range Rover' among some observers.

Reliability concerns linger despite sales strength

Strong sales have occurred alongside notable reliability issues. According to What Car, the Jaecoo 7 SUV was among the 10 least reliable cars in the UK in 2024. Most problems stem from non-powertrain electronics. For customers who experienced issues, 65% faced repair times longer than a week.

The broader UK electric vehicle market continues to expand. Battery-electric vehicles made up 28.3% of the market in September. That share increased by five percentage points from September 2023. Other Chinese brands are also making inroads. BYD sold 5.75% of light-duty cars in the UK in September. Chery aims to solidify its UK presence through potential local manufacturing, including ongoing talks with Nissan about production at the Sunderland plant.