It’s been a long time coming, but Omoda Jaecoo Malaysia’s Jaecoo J8 is finally with us. The Jaecoo J8, which is locally assembled (CKD) and comes in two variations as a five- or six-seater, costs RM178,800 on the road.
With a length of 4,820 mm, the Jaecoo J8 is positioned to take on competitors such as the Mazda CX-8 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. These numbers indicate that the Jaecoo J8 is marginally bigger than the two previously variants.
The J8 has a large, intimidating waterfall-styled front grille that makes a definitive statement while borrowing Omoda C9 penmanship evoking the Mercedes-Benz GLC and Range Rover. The most notable difference is the J8’s use of twin exhaust cutouts on the rear bumper, as opposed to the quad-exhaust outlets found on the C9.
The J8 can be set up as a five-seater or a six-seater, depending on the version. Choosing the six-seater creates a 2-2-2 arrangement by substituting two cosy captain’s chairs for the second-row bench.
Taller people will still need to stoop somewhat even though this arrangement offers a central pathway for third-row access. For lengthy trips, youngsters or shorter adults are ideally suited for the third row. The J8 2WD’s bootspace can be expanded from 738 liter to 2,021 litres.
Standard interior equipment of the Jaecoo J8 in Malaysia includes:
12.3-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, leather upholstery, 12-speaker Sony sound system, 50W ventilated wireless charging pad, centre console storage bin with cooling functionality, NFC-based keyless entry, and digital video recorder.
The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that powers the Jaecoo J8 generates 249 horsepower and 385 Nm of torque. Depending on the version, power is transferred to either the front wheels or all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. With this configuration, the J8 FWD variant can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, while the AWD variant can achieve this feat in 9.0 seconds.
Three drive modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—are standard on the Jaecoo J8. Sport, Mud, Sand, and Off-road modes have been added to the AWD version while torque vectoring control and CDC suspension are also included in the AWD version.
In terms of safety features, the AWD version of the J8 has ten airbags. Both Jaecoo J8 models come fitted with a tire pressure monitoring system and a 540-degree surround vision camera system.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
The J8 is priced from RM178,800, inclusive of a seven-year warranty or up to 150,000 km warranty. In conjunction with the launch of the Jaecoo J8, Omoda Jaecoo Malaysia is offering an early bird package which qualifies all existing Jaecoo J8 bookings and bookings placed up to 21 July 2025 for a one-year complimentary insurance coverage and a 10-year unlimited mileage extended engine warranty.