JAC S3 Plus

The interior of the 2024 JAC S3 Plus has a lot of hard plastics, and the car isn't much different from most crossover SUVs at this price range, including the Japanese ones. The cabin is still more of a mixed bag. High-quality leatherette on the seats, dashboard, and door cushions are apparent. It gets contrast red stitching that forges a sporty look. The cubby holes, cupholders, and the gear lever all get hard plastics. The dashboard gets a floating touchscreen infotainment unit connected to a multi-speaker audio system. The icons are easy to navigate. Like most Chinese crossovers, the JAC S3 Plus comes bundled with third-party smartphone integration. The multifunction steering wheel controls all audio functions. Air-conditioning is via physical buttons that are easy to operate. Other features include automatic headlights and speed-sensing door locks. Overall, the cabin of the 2024 JAC S3 Plus is practical. The cargo space gets a rollback tonneau cover. 

The 2024 JAC S3 Plus looks like a supersized version of its stablemate S1, as opposed to the low and sleek S2. The JAC S3 Plus gets a stubby nose and a big hexagonal grille upfront, along with an X-shaped bumper that houses the fog lights. The car gets all-round LED lighting. The projector headlamps have integrated daytime running lights (DRLs). The front fascia of the 2024 JAC S3 Plus looks similar to the Ford EcoSport. At the back, the JAC S3 Plus gets a more generic Chinese/Korean look. It gets a tall roof, which means that the A-pillars are pushed far forward. The heavy black cladding around the side and wheel arches rises towards the back and makes the car look smaller than it actually is. The 2024 JAC S3 Plus gets a lot of chrome treatment, typical of most Chinse cars. The strategically placed chrome strips break up the black plastic cladding. The car runs on 16-inch alloy wheels.

The 2024 JAC S3 Plus has a spacious cabin. It's surprisingly roomy for its size, courtesy of the high roof. There are always a few extra inches of space above the driver's head, irrespective of the seat height. The long wheelbase means a lot of legroom on the rear seat. All seats are nicely padded, though there's not much back support. The angled central console and the transmission tunnel mean that the passenger sitting in the middle of the rear seat will have to frequently adjust their legs. Ride comfort is fairly pleasant though the suspension is on the stiffer side. It's non-adjustable, and even midsized bumps are felt inside the cabin. Noise insulation is good, and the cabin is mostly soundproof. 

The 2024 JAC S3 Plus Intelligent Luxury is hauled by a four-cylinder, 1.6-litre petrol engine that produces 118 PS/150 Nm. The motor is mated to a CVT. At a low speed, the transmission feels a bit jumpy, and the powertrain is a tad under-responsive. There's a manual mode that stimulates the discrete gear ratios. Throttled back, the 2024 JAC S3 Plus drives predictably. It’s quiet on the highway. In town, the short nose and big glass help in easy manoeuvring.

The 2024 JAC S3 Plus has an impressive list of safety features, including a rearview camera, automatic headlights, speed-sensing door locks, and cornering lights. Other equipment includes six airbags, a hill-start assist, antilock braking, and a tyre-pressure monitor. 

The 2024 JAC S3 Plus is among the most affordable cars in its segment. It's a perfectly normal crossover with good build quality. Buyers looking for a value-for-money compact yet spacious car, they will find this car worthy.