First Drive: 2024 JAC JS6, JS8 are fully loaded and ready to roll
A day-drive to Angeles, Pampanga with JAC Cars PH's newest offerings, the JS6 and JS8 Pro
There was a time in the Philippine auto industry when sedans ruled the car market. With seating for five, a spacious trunk, and a reliable engine under the hood, most buyers were content and happy with the humble four-door. Sure, there were already SUVs available at the time but the sedan was still king.
That changed in the 2000s when customers began to prefer high-riding vehicles like crossovers and SUVs which started to become more popular and affordable. As a result, most automakers (including new ones) now mostly offer crossover SUVs in a bid to attract customers who prefer such cars.
After going on hiatus for several years, JAC returned to the Philippine market with the Astara group. They made their presence felt at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) by showcasing a wide array of vehicles that consist of crossover SUVs, a pair of pickup trucks, and an electric vehicle (EV).
With crossover SUVs continuing to be as popular as ever, JAC Cars Philippines recently invited us for a ride-and-drive of two of their latest offerings – the JS6 and the JS8 Pro. With a whole day to familiarize ourselves with the brand's latest crossovers, we were more than eager to find out what the JS6 and JS8 Pro had to offer.
We started the drive to Angeles, Pampanga with the JS6 which is the brand's flagship model. From its exterior design, it's clear that JAC wanted the JS6 to stand out from the rest with its futuristic styling cues. From the two-tier LED headlight design to the full-width LED taillights, as well as the diamond-cut 18-inch alloy wheels, JAC made sure to make the JS6 a looker from every direction.
The same can be said for the interior which highlights JAC's technical prowess. Immediately grabbing your attention are the pair of high-definition displays on the dashboard – one serves as the instrument panel while the other is the touchscreen infotainment system complete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. For extra peace of mind, it has a 360-degree camera system which makes parking a cinch, especially in narrow parking spaces. It even has a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) which we'll get to later.
Also worth mentioning is the floating-style center console. Not only does it hold the rotary-style gear selector but it also manages the dual-zone climate control system. While I would have preferred physical buttons or dials, it's nice to see that JAC still made a dedicated panel for the HVAC system as some automakers nowadays prefer to put them on the touchscreen.
There's also a wireless charging pad and a USB port/12V socket below the center console although I do find their placement too low for my liking. JAC could have instead incorporated the ports on the center console itself for easier placement of the USB cables.
Under the hood, the JS6 is powered by a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 182 PS at 5500 rpm along with 300 Nm of torque between 1800 – 3500 rpm. Power is then sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed wet-type dual-clutch gearbox.
On first impressions, the powertrain is quick yet smooth. Whereas most cars equipped with dual-clutch transmissions tend to have a bit of shift shock, the JS6 was able to seamlessly change cogs in both city and highway driving. The engine, on the other hand, is spritely and has more than enough grunt to propel the JS6. Put your foot to the floor and the powertrain comes alive with eagerness as the transmission kicks down to deliver immediate power to the front wheels. Despite being three in the car with some luggage, the JS6 did not once felt sluggish or underpowered.
The ride, on the other hand, is smooth thanks to the impressive Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) deadening which is worth mentioning given the JS6 is priced at less than PHP 1.4 million. Outside noise is kept to a minimum thanks to the thick glass and generous sound insulation between the engine and the cabin. Ride quality is also good whether you're seated in the front or the back. However, I did notice there was a slight vibration on the floor while I was seated in the back when the car had to accelerate from a standstill. I mentioned this to JAC and they said they will look into it and see what they can do.
As mentioned earlier, it has a full suite of intelligent driver aids like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. We managed to try the cruise control function and were impressed with how intuitive it was. Not only was the vehicle able to slow down smoothly behind other vehicles, but it was also able to accelerate back up to the pre-set speed once the roads opened up. The forward collision warning also worked great when a vehicle decided to cut in front of us during the drive.
After grabbing lunch and taking photos of JAC's latest offerings in Angeles, Pampanga, it was now time to get behind the wheel of the bigger JS8 Pro as we headed back to Manila. It's a midsize crossover SUV that can seat seven people and is also powered by a 1.5L turbocharged engine that makes 182 PS and 300 Nm of torque. Instead of a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the engine is connected to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Like the JS6, the JS8 Pro has a stylish exterior that's dominated by a massive front grille. It also has distinct LED lighting signatures and headlights which are eye-catching, to say the least. Its immense size is further highlighted by the huge 19-inch alloy wheels, generous glass area, and a large tailgate that's complemented by full-width LED taillights. All in all, the JS8 Pro's design is eye-catching and highlights the brand's future-forward mindset.
Hop inside and the JS8 Pro welcomes you into a minimalist cabin. Yes, there are a pair of screens on the dashboard but what I really liked is the design of the center console. It gets physical buttons for the climate control & hazard buttons while the lower section houses the 12V power socket, the wireless charging pad, and the USB data port. Also worth mentioning is the rotary-style gear selector and electronic parking brake button which completes the simple yet eye-catching center console.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto users will not be disappointed as this one also comes with nifty features. Perhaps my only complaint with the connectivity apps is the lack of a wireless function. That's right, you still have to use a cable to connect your phone to the system. If other brands can already offer wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay at a lesser price tag, perhaps JAC can do that as well.
It has full leather seats all around although we do have to mention something about the power-adjustable driver's seat. While it can be adjusted forward and aft, it lacks height adjustability which is an odd omission. The steering wheel cannot be adjusted for reach as it only comes with a tilt function. This means taller drivers may find it difficult to find the desired setting given the limited adjustments available for the seat and steering wheel.
Out on the open road, the JS8 Pro's turbocharged engine performed to the letter. However, we noticed that its dual-clutch transmission (while smooth) could perform better at highway speeds. Whereas the JS6 can immediately kick down for faster acceleration, the JS8 Pro's gearbox tends to linger at the low revs before it recognizes that you want to speed up. Initial acceleration from a standstill could also be better although given the vehicle's heft, perhaps the small 1.5L turbo has to adjust its power delivery. Given that it's marketed as a family vehicle, perhaps JAC made the powertrain of the JS8 Pro not as aggressive as the JS6.
The ride quality of the JS8 Pro is stiffer compared to the JS6. We're not sure why it's like that although since it's a three-row vehicle, JAC could have specifically set its suspension for carrying seven people in total along with their luggage. NVH deadening could also be better as wind and transmission noise tend to creep into the cabin, especially at highway speeds.
After spending nearly an entire day with JAC's newest crossovers, I have to say that both the JS6 and JS8 Pro are promising vehicles. Granted, there are some improvements the automaker can make (especially for the JS8 Pro) but overall, both vehicles are packed to the brim and are priced competitively which will give other brands something to look out for.
The JS6 has a sticker price of PHP 1.380 million and will compete directly with the likes of the Jetour Dashing, Changan CS55 Plus, Ford Territory, GAC Emkoo, Hyundai Tucson, and even the Subaru Forester, for less. Meanwhile, the JS8 Pro retails for PHP 1.350 million and can go head-to-head against the Geely Okavango, the Tiggo 8 Pro 1.6T, and could even compete with the likes of the Toyota Innova Zenix and the GAC M6 Pro MPVs.
Will JAC Cars Philippines be able to penetrate the crossover-savvy market? We'll find out in the next several months.
