Previewed by the JAC Eagle SII concept on the 2012 Beijing Auto Show and originally launched on the 2012 Guangzhou Auto Show as the JAC Eagle S5, the compact crossover was quickly rebranded to Refine S5 during the facelift shortly after to fit into the later established Refine sub-brand.

The JAC S5 is based on a Sehol X6 platform instead of being using the Hyundai-Kia Platforms due to ended their licensed production with the Hyundai Santa Fe-based JAC Rein.

Just like with the predecessor JAC Rein that copied the Hyundai Santa Fe under license featuring Lexus RX or Toyota Harrier at the back, the successor JAC S5 had copied the major three different cars such as Hyundai Veracruz at the front end with the chrome bar like the first generation Hyundai Tucson China facelift, a third generation Hyundai Santa Fe with Audi-style lights at the back, and a side profile what appears to be a second generation Hyundai Tucson/ix35 with a restyled and different side mirrors, making it one of the unlicensed copy of a Hyundai SUV.

A facelift version features restyled front bumpers to differentiate by the Hyundai Veracruz featuring a chrome bar design.

The JAC Refine S5 is available with two engines including a 1.8-liter turbo engine with 163 hp and 253 nm mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, and a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine with 136 hp and 180 nm, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox at launch.