JAECOO 6T REEV Tested: Boxy Range-Extended SUV in Thailand
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Range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) — cars driven by electric motors with a petrol engine acting solely as a generator — are arriving in Thailand in various body styles, but boxy SUVs like the JAECOO 6T REEV are drawing particular interest. The writer arranged a test drive of the two-wheel-drive Max variant through the TQPR agency and picked it up at a Khlong Luang warehouse.
Pressing the remote unlock button reveals vertical headlights with a Tetris-like lighting animation. Hidden door handles pop out for opening, requiring moderate effort. The high seating position improves forward visibility. Adjusting side mirrors is done via the central touchscreen and multifunction steering wheel buttons, with a convenient shortcut that avoids deep menus.
The route to the main road wound along narrow canal-side lanes, where the vehicle's large size demanded careful maneuvering. On Phahonyothin Road, even on a weekday afternoon, traffic was moderate; the tall, wide body made it harder for motorcycles to filter past.
REEV technology uses electricity to propel the car, can be plugged in to charge, and employs an engine solely to generate power for the battery. A hybrid mode lets the system decide the optimal strategy, while dedicated EV and continuous engine-generator modes are also available.
In Normal drive mode — between Eco and Sport — the car feels suited to daily use. Its weight and bulk mean initial acceleration isn't as sharp as a pure EV, but once rolling it cruises smoothly. Steering is somewhat heavy even in Custom mode, yet body roll is well contained, preventing nausea.
Entering a tunnel triggered automatic dimming of the headlights, central display, instrument cluster, and rear-view mirror. Initially startling, the feature proved valuable when bright following headlights appeared.
On the open highway, the car builds speed steadily rather than explosively, with a composed chassis at high speeds. Cornering and lane changes require appropriate speed reduction due to perceptible body sway and lateral forces. Wind noise enters the cabin from around 100 km/h, earlier than some rivals, but is well controlled for a boxy shape with flush glass.
The JAECOO 6T REEV 2WD Max stands out on the road with its distinctive boxy styling, vertical headlights, LED daytime running lights, and corner-mounted fog lamps. The front bumper design looks robust…
