Chinese car makers target larger families: Is MG's new seven-seater a better option than Jaecoo's biggest 'Temu Range Rover'?

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Two Chinese car brands have released their debut seven-seat models within days of each other as the pair go head-to-head in the battle for deposits from larger families.

MG, the SAIC-owned British heritage brand, and Jaecoo, the Chery-owned maker that's gone viral for its 'Temu Range Rover', will scrap it out this year with both launching plug-in hybrids with massive range capabilities and bundles of tech.

MG's offering, the MGS9 PHEV, is the first vehicle from MG to offer three rows.

And while the 8 SHS-P PHEV is also the debut three-row model from Jaecoo, it comes with the option of being a family seven-seater or an 'executive' luxury wagon with as few as four armchairs in total.

How are Britons supposed to choose between the two?

Before we can get behind the wheel of either car to put them through their paces, here is how they measure up in a straight-up scrap.

MG has brought out its first seven-seater - the MGS9 PHEV. But Chinese rival Jaecoo has also brought out a seven-seater. Here's what we know about the two competitor SUVs so far

How much do they cost?

The MGS9 is the cheaper of the two large family cars - and it will cost almost £10k less.

On-the-road prices will range from £34,205 to £36,945, which MG says will deliver 'class-leading value'.

In comparison, the Jaecoo 8 is significantly more upmarket by Chinese car standards.

It will cost £45,500 for the seven-seat Luxury trim and £47,500 for the Executive version seating up to six (with two emergency pop out chairs that can be lifted from the boot compartment). 

For larger families, the luxury spec - which prioritises flexibility and space - is the yardstick for comparison.

The Jaecoo 8 SHS-P comes with six or seven seats, and four of those are captain's chairs in the six-seater

How much space do they both have?

As said, the MG is a seven-seater only while the Jaecoo can be bought with either six or seven chairs in total.

This means that passengers will be able to get even more rear space if the Jaecoo 8 is configured as a six-seater, with the front four chairs styled as 'captain chairs'.

The seats, which are almost armchairs, come with heating, ventilation and massaging function and the driver's seat even has extendable thigh support for the driver.

The foldable seats in the rear are there for extra passengers when you need to be able to drive six people, but the rest of the time the four chairs serve both personal and professional use.

The MG's seven-seat set up is far more typical and MG promises that even with the third row up you'll still get 332 litres of boot space. This goes up to 1,000 litres with the third row folded away.

The Jaecoo 8 quotes 738 litres of space but this is from floor to roof rather than window line like other car makers quote) and then 2,021 litres with the seats down.

The Jaecoo delivers an EV-only range of 83 miles WLTP and has a 1.5-litre engine and 34.5kWh battery

The MGS9 PHEV combines a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with a 24.7kWh battery that offers an electric range of up to 62 miles.

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How do the hybrid ranges stack up?

Jaecoo is already famous for its 'Super Hybrid Systems' and the 8 SHS-P continues this by using parent company Chery's SHS system to offer an AWD SHS-P that combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, 34.5kWh battery and three-speed automatic gearbox to produce 422hp and accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 5.8 seconds.

Most importantly, though, the combined range from its electrified petrol powertrain is 'over 700 miles', which is almost enough to get you from London to Munich in one hit. 

It can also fast charge at 40kW for a 30 to 80 per cent top up in 20 minutes and delivers an EV-only range of 83 miles WLTP.

Plus, there's 6.6kW V2L capability, so you can plug electrical items into the car to power them.

MG is using the tech from its MG HS, to give the S9 a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with a 24.7kWh battery that offers an electric range of up to 62 miles.

The petrol-electric range is yet to be confirmed. But given the HS can cover 564 miles on a full tank and 100 per cent battery charge - and is smaller than the S9 - we can safely assume it won't be able to live up to the mile-munching capabilities of the Jaecoo. 

So far, we know the 8 SHS-P has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless cooled charging pad, dual 12.3-inch displays and a 14-speaker Sony system 

What other features do you get?

MG and Jaecoo are both known for kitting their cars out with a lot of features even while keeping prices competitive and both seven-seaters are doing this, it seems.

The MGS9 PHEV offers a comprehensive level of specification including leather-style upholstery, a large panoramic sunroof, heated, ventilated, as well as massaging seats, and tri-zone air conditioning to keep every occupant comfortable.

The all-new MGS9 PHEV has also already been awarded the top level 5-star rating from Euro NCAP, due to its high-strength steel and up to 16 advanced driver assistance technologies.

The Jaecoo 8 SHS-P has an all-new interior layout which includes massage front seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless cooled charging pad, dual 12.3-inch displays and a 14-speaker Sony system and two headrest speakers.

If you get the Executive version, then you get Nappa leather seating for first-class comfort.

The front passenger even gets a 'zero-gravity' seat with a 123-degree adjustable angle, extended legroom and a dedicated 'Boss Button' for passenger side control, elevating comfort on every journey.

The flagship SUV is equipped with 10 airbags and up to 19 advanced driver assistance systems.

The Jaecoo is available to order now and deliveries start in May. The MG is also available to order now

When do they both arrive?

The all-new MGS9 PHEV is available to order now ahead of full specification details being announced later this month, as the first cars arrive in MG showrooms across the UK.

The Jaecoo 8 SHS-P is now open for orders and deliveries are expected May 2026.

All models will come as standard with the brand’s comprehensive 7-year/100,000-mile warranty, with an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on the battery.