The Jaecoo J5 EV is here, and the number that matters is $35,990 plus on-road costs. The first 1000 orders get it for $36,990 drive-away, which makes it one of the cheapest electric SUVs you can buy in Australia. The string attached is the date.

What you actually get

402 km of WLTP range from a 58.9 kWh LFP battery. One front motor making 155 kW and 288 Nm. DC fast charging peaks at 130 kW, enough for a 30 to 80 per cent top up in about 28 minutes. AC charging runs at 10.3 kW. There is a single Summit grade, so no decoding a four-tier brochure to find the one you can afford.

The EOFY catch

The $36,990 drive-away price is the launch offer for the first 1000 customer orders, Summit grade, no metallic paint, on cars ordered before 30 June. Miss that window or tick the paint box and you are back to $35,990 plus on-roads, which lands closer to $39,000 drive-away depending on your state. For a school-run buyer comparing weekly costs, that gap is real money.

How it sits against rivals

At this price the J5 EV is shopping against the BYD Atto 3, the GWM Ora, the MG ZS EV and Geely's EX5. The BYD has the brand recognition and the bigger dealer network. The Jaecoo answers with more range than the base Atto 3 and a cabin that looks dearer than the sticker. The LFP battery is the sensible long-life choice for a car that will spend its life on short trips and overnight home charging.

Cartell Assessment

Sub-$40k electric SUVs used to mean compromise you could feel from the driver's seat. This one does not read that way on paper. 402 km is plenty for a household that charges at home and does the odd country run, and 155 kW is more than enough to merge without drama. The honest worry is resale and the service footprint, because Jaecoo is still a new badge here. Buy it for the drive-away maths, not as a long-term bet, and you will be fine.

AU Outlook

The launch deal closes 30 June, so this is a now-or-wait decision. If you want the headline price you need a signed order this month. If you can wait, watch whether Jaecoo holds near $36,990 past EOFY or lets it drift up. Either way, another cheap electric SUV on Australian roads is good news for anyone shopping the segment.