The Jaecoo J8 is currently available in both 2WD 2-row 5-seat and AWD 3-row 6-seat configurations.
For those who desire that cool Jaecoo look but in a slightly more practical package, there is now the all-new J8 for your consideration! This latest large SUV offering from Chery’s premium offshoot has just landed locally and is available in two general flavours:
- 2WD 5-seater: RM 178,800
- AWD 6-seater: RM 198,800
Discussing dimensions first, the Jaecoo J8 measures 1,710 mm tall, 1,930 mm wide, and spans 4,820 mm in length, with a 2,820 mm wheelbase. And if those numbers don’t mean much to you, just know that it’s about the same size — albeit ever so slightly shorter — than a Proton X90, which incidentally is another three-row SUV that also hails from China.
Design-wise meanwhile, the J8 builds upon the J7’s macho-sleek aesthetic. This bigger brother naturally sports a larger octagonal version of Jaecoo’s vertical-slatted front grille, flanked on either end by slim LED headlamp clusters. Other exterior highlights include flush pop-out door handles down its profile, while a full-width LED light bar is complemented by twin integrated exhaust pipes round its rump.
As for what is connected to those twin pipes on the other end now, all J8s sold locally comes featuring a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-pot under its hood. Total output is rated at 249 PS and 385 Nm, with drive sent to either the front wheels or all four via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Jaecoo currently quotes that the AWD could muster the century sprint in 9 seconds, before eventually running out of puff at 200 km/h. Though perhaps more impressively is that the Chinese automaker has further touted that this large all-paw SUV could manage 8.1l/100 km following the WLTP standard, which should yield a total range of just over 800 km when its 65 litre tank is fully drained from the brim.
Moving along within, a pair of 12.3-inch displays (fully digital instrument cluster and central touchscreen) come standard in both variants of the J8. A a panoramic glass sunroof, 50-watt Qi wireless charger, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear centre and B-pillar vents and rear fan speed controls are also standard on both variants.
2WD J8s come with a NFC-based keyless entry system, a 12-speaker Sony sound system, six airbags, a built-in digital video recorder, 356-colour ambient lighting and faux leather upholstery. Aside from the extra row of seats, the higher-end AWD brings with it power-operated doors, an automatic fragrance system, a 14-speaker audio setup with headrest speakers, and four more airbags in total.
The range-topper further throws in, real leather upholstery, suede-covered trim panels, head-up display, front passenger seat with integrated ottoman, powered and ventilated front and second-row seats with massage function and a Level 2.5 ADAS suite with automatic parking function. The AWD is also the only trim that features Jaecoo’s Continuous Damping Control (CDC) adaptive suspension, while the 2WD retains passive steel springs all round.
In terms of exterior hues, the J8 2WD can be had in Carbon Crystal Black, Khaki White, and Olive Grey. The higher-end AWD variant, in turn, can be immediately identified on the road by its standard dual-tone palette, adding a black roof to the same aforementioned colour choices. All J8s will be available with a black interior.
And as with any Jaecoo product, the J8 naturally features a pretty comprehensive warranty package to go along with its attractive price tag. A seven-year/150,000 km warranty comes as standard, with early-bird buyers who put their orders in before July 21st further receiving one year of free motor insurance (under the Jaecoo Prime Protection programme), a 10-year/unlimited-mileage powertrain warranty and an exclusive off-road experience.
P.S: Just as an aside for those who might be a little confused with the current Omoda-Jaecoo lineup, the J8 is the third distinct model to be launched by Jaecoo locally after the J7 (petrol & PHEV) and Omoda C9. And despite the 9 in the C9’s name, the J8 is technically the largest of the three vehicles in Jaecoo’s current local lineup, not to mention also the only SUV in its range that has the capability to seat more than five within:
– Jaecoo J7: C-segment mid-sized 5-seat SUV
– Omoda C9 by Jaecoo: D-segment large 5-seat SUV
– Jaecoo J8: D-segment large 5-seat SUV (2WD) / 6-seat SUV (AWD)
