The Daily Star’s in-house ‘I got a new car and don’t have any money left’ expert Adam Cailler tried to find premium accessories at a budget price . . . and he did just that
I recently invested in a new car, the Jaecoo 5, and wanted some accessories to finish it of – but rather than go with the official ones, I tried to save a bit of money using Ali Express. I have to admit, I went into this experiment with fairly low expectations, figuring I might end up with cheap, flimsy knock-offs. I could not have been more wrong.
Honestly, the quality is much higher than I expected. If you are outfitting a new ride, these upgrades are perfect for those who want premium at a budget price . Let’s start with the interior storage solutions.
I picked up a branded center console gap filler and some sleek seat-back protectors. The material on both of these is fantastic—it genuinely feels like premium leather.
It has a high-end, soft-touch texture but remains incredibly solidly built. The gap organizer holds its shape perfectly even when packed with my phone, cards, and daily essentials, and the seat-back pockets provide an elegant solution to protect the upholstery while adding extra cabin storage.
One of the best parts about browsing the platform is the sheer variety available. I quickly realized they have far more accessories than the official retailers currently offer for the Jaecoo lineup. Whether you want bold accents or a subtle factory look, there is a great range of colour options, allowing you to perfectly coordinate with your car’s exact interior stitching and trim.
The whole experience was entirely hassle-free. Everything was easy to buy, easy to fit. The gap organizer slid effortlessly right between the driver’s seat and the center console, and the back-seat protectors hooked on securely in seconds without any tools, fuss, or awkward adjustments.
However, the absolute standout item in my haul is the branded seatbelt clip shown in the photos. The belt extender is a genius idea, and something everyone should buy.
Not only does it look incredibly sleek with the bold Jaecoo lettering matching the rest of the cabin, but it is highly practical. It’s heavy, solidly constructed, clicks right into place, and easily stops the seatbelt chime if you happen to be carrying heavy groceries or a bag on the passenger seat.
Overall, these aftermarket additions completely elevated the feel of my Jaecoo 5’s interior. If you want to customize your car without paying dealership markups, this route is an absolute no-brainer.