JAC S3: A Compact Crossover Utility Vehicle Review

With the constant onslaught of compact crossover SUVs in the market, the auto industry had to come up with an all-new term not so long ago to help reduce some of the confusion amongst buyers. Many of the newer crossovers are now known as CUVs, which stands for Crossover Utility Vehicle. Among many of these that are currently prowling our urban jungle, the most common species is the Compact CUV -- these are the ones that are essentially jacked-up everyday cars and would most likely get stuck if you drive them anywhere but on paved roads. Compact CUVs come from almost every big manufacturer, one of the latest entrants being the Chinese JAC Motors group with their S3 crossover.

The JAC S3 is the brand’s smallest offering in this ever-congested yet highly competitive CUV segment. The S3 is built upon the underpinnings borrowed from the Chinese marque’s smaller A30 sedan and was first unveiled to the masses back in 2013. It’s one of the most popular and better-selling models for JAC, too, and outperforms some of its Chinese rivals in terms of its sales. In the UAE, the JAC S3 competes for floor space against the likes of the Chery Tiggo 3, Nissan Kicks, and Mitsubishi ASX.

Exterior

Compared to its other Chinese competitors in the arena, the exterior design of the JAC S3 is more or less akin to that of a jacked-up hatchback rather than an all-out crossover. However, very few CUVs actually come anywhere close to looking like a tough yet modern SUV. The front fascia of the S3 features:

• Trademark ‘bottle-mouth’ grille with an intricate weave pattern and multiple chrome elements
• Sharp and chunky projector headlamps with a distinctive “eye-brow” design
• Tapering hood, sculpted bumper, and horizontally-placed fog lamps
• Low-mounted triple air-intake vents

While the front looks decent enough, the S3’s side profile with its awkward styling and mismatched proportions doesn’t quite appease. Nevertheless, the exterior includes:

• Large roof rails
• Shiny chrome trim
• Black body cladding
• Sloping roofline
• (Petite) V-shaped 16-inch alloy wheels

The bubbly rear end of the JAC S3 sports:

• Roof spoiler
• Rounded tail lamps
• Bumper-integrated fog lamps and air diffuser
• Additional chrome accents

The JAC S3 measures 4.325 meters in length, 1.765 meters in width, and 1.660 meters in height. It boasts a healthy 600-liter boot capacity and has a wheelbase of 2.560 meters.

Interior

The cabin of the JAC S3 feels quite tight and dark in the back, thanks to the sloped roof, thick C-pillars, and small rear windows. Even the seats lack adequate lumbar and under-thigh support, but they provide reasonable cushion and fold down in a 60:40 split in the back. Space up front is pretty decent as well, while the fancy design of the dashboard and center console keeps things interesting. JAC has added:

• Faux metal accents
• Contrast stitching on the seats and steering wheel
• Chrome trim around the shifter

Although the build quality and general fit-and-finish aren’t up to par with some of the Japanese rivals, it isn’t horrendous either. The features include:

• LED DRLs
• Electric sunroof
• Cruise control
• Automatic AC with rear vents
• Keyless entry
• Multifunction steering wheel
• Leather seats
• Parking sensors with reversing camera
• Six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth, USB, and AUC connectivity

Safety features include dual front airbags, auto-locking doors, ABS with EBD and brake assist, vehicle stability control, and hill assist.

Engine and Performance

At launch, the JAC S3 came fitted with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine that generates 113hp and 146Nm of torque. It’s paired with a CVT gearbox and is capable of propelling the S3 to a top speed of 180 km/h, while the run from 0-100 km/h takes 11.5 seconds.

Verdict

The JAC S3 is only available in one trim option (1.5 Luxury) in the UAE and it retails for AED 47,100.