Omoda & Jaecoo (O&J) Vietnam, a subsidiary of Chery, will introduce the Jaecoo J7 AWD Individual to the Vietnamese market at the end of 2025, according to dealer sources. Pricing will be announced at launch. This C-segment SUV is designed for off-road driving.

Jaecoo J7 AWD Individual appears in Vietnam. Photo: O&J

J7 AWD Individual equipped with numerous off-road features. Photo: O&J

Interior design features a vertically oriented screen and horizontally developed details. Photo: O&J

While O&J Vietnam refers to the J7's four-wheel-drive system as 4WD, the vehicle actually uses an AWD system. Both are four-wheel drive, but the key difference is that 4WD allows the driver to manually switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive, while AWD automatically calculates and distributes power. The driver simply selects the appropriate driving mode for the terrain.

Traditionally, 4WD systems were characteristic of SUVs (body-on-frame), pickup trucks, while AWD was mainly chosen for unibody vehicles like sedans and crossovers. With advancements in mechanical and electrical engineering, even vehicles known for off-road prowess can now be equipped with AWD. Models from Land Rover, such as the Range Rover and Defender, and the Mercedes G63, all currently use AWD.

The J7 AWD Individual features an all-wheel-drive system with a response time of under 0.1 seconds, according to O&J. It offers 7 driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Snow, Sand, Mud, and Offroad. The J7 AWD Individual has a ground clearance of 186 mm, an approach angle of 21 degrees, a departure angle of 29 degrees, and a wading depth of 600 mm.

In terms of safety, in addition to standard features, the vehicle is equipped with a 540-degree camera system (360 degrees around the vehicle and 180 degrees simulated undercarriage view), a heads-up display (HUD), and a driver monitoring system (DMS). The vehicle also features ADAS with various functions.

The interior of the J7 AWD Individual has a minor difference compared to the two-wheel-drive version: the gear selector is located in the center console instead of behind the steering wheel. Features include a panoramic sunroof, an 8-speaker Sony sound system, power-adjustable driver's seat with memory function, wireless charging, hands-free power tailgate, cooled storage compartment, and ambient lighting. Automatic climate control with a fine dust filter is also included.

The J7 AWD Individual joins two existing versions: the Flagship priced at 739 million VND and the PHEV Flagship at 879 million VND.

In Vietnam, the J7 AWD Individual will compete with other all-wheel-drive rivals such as the Kia Sportage 1.6 Turbo Signature AWD (994 million VND), Hyundai Tucson 1.6 Turbo (979 million VND), Subaru Forester (969 million VND - 1.199 billion VND), Honda CR-V L AWD (1.25 billion VND), and the Mazda CX-5.

Luong Dung