Posted by Natasha Dury
I have driven a fair share of SUVs since 2018, but taking the OMODA & JAECOO UAE JAECOO J8 SHS onto a race track instantly set a different tone. This wasn’t a showroom showcase or a city loop – it was a full-on driving experience at Dubai Autodrome, and honestly, it changed how I see hybrid SUVs.
From the moment I pulled out of the pit lane, the first thing that surprised me was how quietly confident the J8 SHS feels. No drama – just smooth, instant response. Press the accelerator and the power comes in clean and effortless, the kind that makes you forget you’re in a large, luxury SUV. The 0–100 km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds is not just a number on paper as you actually feel the power, especially on the straights.
What really stood out was how composed the J8 SHS remained at speed. Through corners, it felt planted and predictable, not floaty or hesitant like some big SUVs tend to be. Steering inputs were precise, braking felt reassuringly strong, and even when pushing a bit harder, the car stayed calm, which, on a track, gives you instant confidence as a driver.
As someone from a Gen Z mindset, efficiency matters just as much as performance and this is where the Super Hybrid System really shines. Knowing that this SUV can deliver over 1,300 km of total range, plus 169 km of pure electric driving, makes it feel genuinely future-ready. It’s powerful without being wasteful, fast without being reckless. Truly a balance that feels very “now”.
Despite its size, the J8 SHS handled tight spaces and low-speed movements effortlessly. Parking, turning, and controlled inputs felt intuitive, which is exactly what you want for daily city driving in the UAE.
Step inside, and the vibe shifts from performance to pure comfort. The NAPPA leather seats, massage functions, and overall cabin quality feel closer to business-class than SUV interior. After pushing the car on track, sinking into that seat felt like a reward and it’s easy to imagine long road trips being genuinely enjoyable.
Its nothworthy that JAECOO J8 SHS does not try too hard to be flashy. It lets the driving experience speak for itself. It’s confident, capable, and quietly impressive. The kind of car that proves hybrids don’t have to be boring or compromised.
Driving the J8 SHS at Dubai Autodrome wasn’t just about speed; it was about trust, balance, and control. From a Gen Z perspective, this is exactly what modern performance should feel like- powerful, responsible, and seriously fun to drive. If this is what the future of hybrid SUVs looks like, I’m all in.
All about wheels 