Right off the heels of the 9th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, we now know that EV options locally are expanding faster than ever, with every major brand and a few new names trying to get a piece of the action. Not too long ago, EVs were either luxury toys or pricey eco-statement pieces—great if you wanted to flaunt your green credentials, but a hard sell if you were looking for something affordable and practical.
Now, things are changing, and brands like BYD, VinFast, and JAC are stepping in to offer budget-friendly, tech-savvy EVs that are actually accessible for everyday drivers. Enter the JAC Ytterby, an EV that stands out with its compact size, city-friendly design, and an overall vibe that says, “Yes, I’m here to make EVs fun, and I’m doing it in style.”
So, how does it hold up? From its quirky exterior to a surprisingly feature-rich interior, a tech package that’s advanced for its price range, and the instant torque that only an EV can deliver, the Ytterby brings a lot to the table. If you’re curious about EVs but not ready to dive into the high-end segment, the Ytterby might just be the perfect balance of affordability, style, and substance.
Exterior: Look At Me
Let’s start with the obvious: the Ytterby’s looks. JAC calls its style “Bubble Aesthetics Design,” which has apparent German inspiration. The Ytterby practically invites you to give it a smile or a pat on the roof. Every line, every contour of this EV is round, smooth, and friendly. The vibrant color is a crowd-pleaser, and while it may not be my usual vibe, it’s a hit with bystanders, especially the ladies. And yes, if you’re driving this car, you might get a few extra glances with a smile—an unexpected perk of its charm.
The Ytterby is a subcompact hatchback, similar in size to a BYD Dolphin but with a little extra length, making it just right for urban drives. And those 205/50 R17 Tri-Color Petal Wheels? They add a subtle twist to the cute theme.
I couldn’t find fault in the overall exterior design of the Ytterby, but I’d more likely get it in gray or white as a contrast to its extroverted aura.
Interior: Surprisingly Spacious
Inside, JAC managed to marry comfort with practicality. Leather touches are always a win, though there are some hard plastics hidden here and there—mostly out of sight, while the soft plastics on the door cards are very much appreciated.
Storage is surprisingly abundant, with a refrigerated center storage for keeping your drinks cool. For those of us who always seem to be adjusting things on the go, the driver’s seat is a six-way power-adjustable wonder with memory settings, while the passenger seat is manual but comfy. A larger vanity mirror and LED lighting on both sides? Practical perfection, especially for those who do their makeups in the car. Plus, the RFID card slot near the knee makes getting through tolls a breeze.
You might want to be cautious with the glossy black accents running along the dashboard and center console, though, as they’re a fingerprint and scratch magnet. Dark chrome linings around the A/C vents also have a way of showing imperfections, and the white accents, while stylish, might be a nightmare for neat freaks once dirt creeps in.
In the back, there’s enough space for average-sized passengers to stretch out a bit, plus a Type C port to keep devices charged. And let’s not overlook the Ytterby’s panoramic glass roof (or “Skylight” as JAC calls it). It’s a sunroof done right, with a tinted layer that blocks the sun’s heat even at high noon. It doesn’t have a retractable cover, but you get a removable one that can be stashed in the trunk if you don’t need total shade.
One caveat, though: only one cupholder up front. Not great news if you and your passenger both need a hot coffee fix. And while the driver’s seat offers a nice range of adjustments, the lack of a telescopic steering column made finding the perfect position a bit tricky.
Tech & Safety: “That Makes Sense” Moments
JAC Ytterby’s approach to tech is refreshing, though it takes some getting used to. It has a few unconventional setups that initially threw me off, like the headlight controls and door lock relocated on the screen (both automatic, so they still make sense to me).
Meanwhile, the left stalk controls the wipers and turn signals, while the right stalk handles both the gear selector and cruise control. Yes, all in one. It’s an unusual but logical setup. The cruise control system is activated by pulling down on the stalk, which is also how you shift to “Drive.” Reverse is a double-up pull, while Park requires a button push at the end of the stalk. There’s also a clever failsafe—trying to shift into reverse while moving forward won’t do anything until you come to a stop.
The steering wheel buttons are dynamic, adapting to what you’re doing, which is one of those “Oh, that makes sense” touches. The right-side buttons are for audio and call functions, while the left-side buttons adjust climate control by default but switch to adaptive cruise control functions when engaged. Even side mirror adjustments can be toggled on-screen, with adjustments done via the steering wheel buttons. Yes, there’s definitely a learning curve, but the system is actually quite logical once you get used to it.
The Ytterby’s screen setup is also notable, with the 6.2-inch gauge cluster displaying driving essentials and a whopping 15.6-inch infotainment screen available on the Pro variant. Think of the latter as laptop-sized, not tablet-sized. It’s great for its tech-savvy appeal, though the user interface could benefit from a few simplifications to reduce scrolling through menus. Good thing there’s a quick access menu (slide down from the top) for frequently used functions. Plus, there’s wireless Apple CarPlay connection with wireless charging.
And oh, I almost forgot, the Ytterby doesn’t have a power on/off button–just unlock, get in, and it’s ready to go. Same story after parking, you just need to alight the vehicle and lock the car.
As for safety, the Ytterby is well-equipped with all the basic features you can think of, including six airbags and seatbelt reminders. It also holds a 5-star Chinese NCAP rating, which is more stringent than ASEAN NCAP due to higher speed limits in China.
More advanced safety tech like adaptive cruise control (that works intuitively to my surprise), automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear-cross traffic alert and a 360° panoramic view, among others, gives it a tech edge in this price range. It even has a 540° transparent chassis feature, which lets you “see” under the car—a huge help in tight spots.
Driving & Handling: That Was Fun
Driving the Ytterby was a delight, largely thanks to its electric motor’s instant torque. With 134 horsepower and 175 Nm of pull on the Pro model, it’s no slouch on the road. You can easily hit (and exceed) highway speeds without feeling like you’re pushing it, and the acceleration is buttery-smooth in mid-ranges.
Braking was a slightly different experience with the Ytterby’s regenerative braking, which initially felt like the car’s stopping itself as soon as you lift off the accelerator. You can adjust the regen settings to “Weak” (for a more conventional feel) or “Strong” (for max battery saving but harsher braking). Personally, I found the Standard mode to be a happy medium.
Steering was light but responsive, with just enough feedback to give you confidence on the road. The suspension was pleasantly forgiving, soaking up bumps and keeping the cabin quiet, while the car’s NVH insulation was also impressive, especially in a budget EV.
For city driving, the Ytterby was wonderfully agile. Its turning radius made U-turns on tight streets like Taft Avenue a breeze, and visibility was good all around, even with those rounded side mirrors. On the highway, it was stable and planted, with the instant torque making overtakes smooth and easy.
Efficiency, Range & Charging
JAC claims that the Ytterby is exceptionally energy-efficient, and my test drive kind of backed that up. I started with a 96% charge, which promised 486 km of range. This, of course, would vary depending on the driving style. Of note, I’m a heavy-footed driver.
After 267 km of real-world driving (based on the odometer), I was down to 12% with around 63 km left. With my driving style—regen mostly on “Weak” and the drive mode in “Standard”—that’s solid performance that could be better if only I wasn’t enjoying too much with the instantaneous power.
Let’s talk about charging. Using the portable charger on a regular 240V socket takes around 4.5 hours (according to the display), but this would require 20A, which wasn’t a standard among households–mine included. Mall charging would be faster but they’re a good option for topping up since nobody stays inside the mall for 4-5 hours. On the plus side, they’re free…. for now.
For those in a hurry, DC fast chargers are available, which can take the battery from 12% to 93% in about an hour. However, it’s not the most economical choice (I had to shell out P1,500 for this, but still cheaper than filling the tank of my Honda Brio) and they’re limited in location, so the free wall and portable chargers JAC includes with the car are handy if you prefer a slower but more wallet-friendly charge at home.
Style & Subtance, But Not For Everyone
The JAC Ytterby Pro I tested is priced at P1,320,000, while the Air variant sits at P1,195,000 with lower power output and battery range. At this price point, it’s well-positioned against similar affordable EVs, with a robust feature set that even includes perks like free roadside assistance for the first year.
However, EV ownership does come with some caveats. Public charging infrastructure is limited, so this car is best suited for homeowners who can have the free wall charger installed in their garages. Condo dwellers, apartment renters, and those planning frequent road trips may find the logistics limiting and challenging. But if you’re looking for a tech-savvy, eco-friendly city car to complement an ICE-powered vehicle, the Ytterby is a strong contender—and possibly one of the cutest on the market.
In short, if you’re ready to join the EV revolution and want something stylish and practical for urban commutes, the JAC Ytterby has a lot to offer. It’s not just a pretty face; this car has substance to back up its charm.
