Price War: The Battle for Affordability Between Jaecoo J5 EV and Chery Tiggo Cross CSH

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - If you have a budget of Rp 200 million to Rp 300 million and are looking for a SUV from a Chinese brand, there are now more choices. For an electric SUV you can opt for the Jaecoo J5 EV, but if you want a hybrid only, you could look at the Chery Tiggo Cross CSH. Both brands are part of the larger Chery Group umbrella from Wuhu, China. The calculations were performed using the test results I conducted for both cars. The electricity or fuel consumption will be multiplied by 20,000 km or about one year of use. From Kompas.com’s testing on a route combining urban and highway sections, energy consumption recorded an average of 11.4 kWh per 100 km or equivalent to 0.114 kWh per kilometre. Assuming 20,000 km per year, the electricity requirement for the J5 EV is around 2,280 kWh. If using the SPKLU charging tariff of Rp 2,466 per kWh, annual energy costs are in the region of Rp 5.62 million. Meanwhile, the Chery Tiggo Cross CSH relies on a 1.5L turbo four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor delivering 202 hp and 310 Nm of torque. Test results with normal driving style show fuel consumption of 19.2 km per litre, a figure considered efficient for a turbo SUV in the 1,500 cc class. With the same annual distance, Tiggo Cross CSH needs around 1,042 litres of petrol. If using Pertamax priced at Rp 12,300 per litre, then total annual fuel costs are about Rp 12.8 million. The energy expenditure gap amounts to around Rp 7.1 million per year for the same distance. Even so, the Tiggo Cross CSH still offers an appealing compromise between performance and efficiency without dependence on charging infrastructure. The range is rather ‘freer’ from the fear of running out of power on journeys. Conversely, the J5 EV becomes the most cost-efficient option for users with urban mobility patterns and adequate SPKLU access. KOMPAS.com is committed to delivering clear, trustworthy, and balanced facts. Support the sustainability of clear journalism and enjoy an ad-free reading experience through Membership. Join KOMPAS.com Plus now