Jaecoo 7 vs Range Rover Evoque: Budget Challenger or Premium Original?

China’s Jaecoo 7 is turning heads with its sleek styling, modern tech, and surprisingly strong performance, all for a fraction of the cost of a Range Rover Evoque.

Posted on 6 Jan 2026 Posted by Jess Stanbrook

 

 

On social media, some have dubbed the Jaecoo 7 a “Temu Range Rover” due to its familiar design cues, a label we’ll look beyond to see how the two SUVs really compare.

Starting at around £30,000, the Jaecoo 7 undercuts the £44,000 starting price of the Range Rover Evoque by a considerable margin. Yet at first glance, it’s easy to see why many are calling it a budget-friendly take on the iconic mini–Range Rover.

The Jaecoo’s styling clearly draws inspiration from the Evoque. From the roof spoiler and pop-out door handles to the bold lettering across the tailgate and the overall side profile, the resemblance is hard to ignore. Standard 19-inch alloys come on the Jaecoo 7, while the Evoque has a standard of 18” but you can step things up with 20-inch wheels. Where they differ, most is at the front: the Jaecoo opts for a more aggressive grille and distinctive lighting layout, giving it a personality of its own.

The Evoque remains the original “mini–Range Rover.” Its mid-life refresh has kept the design fresh, with blacked-out pillars creating a floating roof effect and sleek flush door handles enhancing its premium feel. Around the back, the Evoque’s design is clean and understated, reinforcing its upmarket image.

The Jaecoo 7 takes a bolder approach. Slim high-mounted DRLs, low-set main headlights, and a striking grille make it look more modern and assertive. Side-on, it closely mirrors the Evoque with its floating roof and darkened pillars, while the rear design is clearly inspired by its rival.

Inside, the Evoque still feels unmistakably luxurious. Soft-touch materials, leather upholstery, metal pedals, and felt-lined storage areas all contribute to a premium cabin ambience. The Jaecoo 7 isn’t far behind, offering plenty of soft-touch surfaces, a large central touchscreen, and some thoughtful design touches. While some lower plastics feel a little scratchy, the overall impression is modern and well put together.

Infotainment is where the Jaecoo really shines. Its system is fast, intuitive, and packed with features, including a panoramic roof and a Sony sound system. By comparison, the Evoque’s infotainment now feels dated, with less intuitive navigation. Both cars offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the Jaecoo’s system is noticeably quicker and easier to use day-to-day.

Space is another win for the Jaecoo 7. It offers more rear legroom and headroom, making it the more comfortable choice for passengers on longer journeys. The Evoque counters with a larger boot at 472 litres, compared with 415 litres in the Jaecoo 7 plug-in hybrid. However, the Jaecoo adds clever features like a parcel-shelf “cinema screen” — something you won’t find in the Evoque.

Under the bonnet, the Evoque offers a broader engine lineup, including petrol, diesel, and a 309hp plug-in hybrid. The Jaecoo 7 keeps things simpler with a 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid. Despite its lower power output, the Jaecoo 7 PHEV hits 0–60mph in 7.3 seconds, just a tenth slower than the Evoque, with near-identical quarter-mile times. Performance, considering the price difference, is impressively close.

Reliability is harder to judge. Range Rover finished a disappointing 24th out of 31 in the 2025 Driver Power survey. The Jaecoo 7 is still new to the UK market, so long-term data is limited, but early impressions are encouraging.

Verdict:

The Jaecoo 7 isn’t just a cheap imitation — it’s a smart, value-driven alternative. It delivers modern tech, strong performance, and head-turning design at a much lower price. The Evoque still wins on brand prestige, build quality, luxury materials, and heritage, but you pay heavily for that badge. Ultimately, it comes down to priorities: premium image and refinement, or cutting-edge tech and affordability.

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