Verdict
The RM39,890 cheaper GAC M8 is the practical family choice: it seats seven, has captain’s chairs in row two and a 56-litre petrol tank behind its 25.57-kWh plug-in hybrid battery. The Denza Z9 GT is for buyers prioritising electric performance and touring range, with three motors producing 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm, a 122.49-kWh battery and 600 km EV range. Its 2.7-second 0-100 km/h time and 495-litre boot are serious advantages, but RM9,140 annual road tax is a substantial Malaysian running-cost consideration.
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if you want 600 km of electric range, 1,140 hp performance and a larger 495-litre boot, and can live with five seats and RM9,140 yearly road tax.
Pick the GAC M8 if seven seats, second-row captain’s chairs and a RM39,890 lower purchase price matter more than outright pace and EV range.
Key differences
- Price: Denza Z9 GT RM368,690; GAC M8 RM328,800.
- Seats: Denza Z9 GT 5; GAC M8 7.
- 0-100 km/h: Denza Z9 GT 2.7 seconds; GAC M8 8.8 seconds.
- Battery and EV range: Denza Z9 GT 122.49 kWh and 600 km; GAC M8 25.57 kWh and 106 km.
- DC charging rate: Denza Z9 GT 1,500 kW; GAC M8 40 kW.
- Boot space: Denza Z9 GT 495 litres; GAC M8 280 litres.
Z9 GT
- 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm from three motors
- 600 km EV range from a 122.49-kWh battery
- 495-litre boot and air suspension
- Costs RM39,890 more
- Five seats versus the M8’s seven
- 2,895 kg versus 2,420 kg
M8
- Seven seats with second-row captain’s chairs
- RM39,890 lower purchase price
- 56-litre petrol tank alongside plug-in hybrid assistance
- 106 km EV range versus 600 km
- 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time versus 2.7 seconds
- 280-litre boot versus 495 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,690 | RM328,800✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM9,140 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance |
| Horsepower | — | 187 hp |
| Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | 3 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 1,140 hp✓ | 179 hp |
| Motor Torque | 1,210 Nm✓ | 300 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 122.49 kWh✓ | 25.57 kWh |
| EV Range | 600 km✓ | 106 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW✓ | 6.6 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 1,500 kW✓ | 40 kW |
| V2L | 4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 2-DHT |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 2.7 seconds✓ | 8.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,180 mm | 5,212 mm |
| Width | 1,990 mm | 1,893 mm |
| Height | 1,490 mm | 1,823 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 3,070 mm |
| Weight | 2,895 kg | 2,420 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 56 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 495 litres✓ | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 7 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 18" Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 18" Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation, Memory and Massaging | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, e3 Parking | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | All Doors | Power Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Front and Rear Fridges | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage Battery Warranty | 8 Year, 150,000 km Warranty (Battery) |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Z9 GT & M8 for sale
Z9 GT vs M8 FAQ
Is the Denza Z9 GT or GAC M8 better?
The Denza Z9 GT is better for electric range, performance and boot space, delivering 600 km, 1,140 hp and 495 litres. The GAC M8 is better for transporting people, with seven seats and second-row captain’s chairs at RM39,890 less.
What is the price difference?
The Denza Z9 GT costs RM368,690 and the GAC M8 costs RM328,800, so the Denza is RM39,890 more expensive.
Which has more seating and luggage space?
The GAC M8 has seven seats, two more than the Denza Z9 GT’s five. But the Denza has the larger listed boot, at 495 litres versus the M8’s 280 litres.