Verdict
At RM328,800, the GAC M8 costs RM56,172 less and gives seven seats, a 25.57-kWh battery and 106 km of EV range. Its 280-litre boot is small beside the Touareg’s 810 litres, however, and its 187 hp, 300 Nm, front-wheel-drive layout needs 8.8 seconds to 100 km/h. The RM384,972 Volkswagen has 335 hp, 450 Nm, all-wheel drive and reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, but it seats five and carries RM1,632 annual road tax. Pick the M8 for people-moving and charging; choose the Touareg for pace and luggage room.
Pick the GAC M8 if you need seven seats, power sliding doors and up to 106 km of electric driving.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you prioritise 335 hp, all-wheel drive, a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time and an 810-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: GAC M8 RM328,800; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Power and torque: GAC M8 187 hp and 300 Nm; Volkswagen Touareg 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- Driveline and 0-100 km/h: GAC M8 front-wheel drive and 8.8 seconds; Volkswagen Touareg all-wheel drive and 6.0 seconds.
- Seats and boot space: GAC M8 seven seats and 280 litres; Volkswagen Touareg five seats and 810 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: GAC M8 5,212 mm and 3,070 mm; Volkswagen Touareg 4,878 mm and 2,984 mm.
- Wheels: GAC M8 18-inch alloys with 225/60R18 tyres; Volkswagen Touareg 20-inch alloys with 285/45R20 tyres.
M8
- 106 km EV range from a 25.57-kWh battery
- Seven seats, captain’s chairs and power sliding doors
- Eight-year, 150,000-km battery warranty
- 280-litre boot versus the Touareg’s 810 litres
- Slower 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.0 seconds
- Front-wheel drive versus all-wheel drive
Touareg
- 335 hp, 450 Nm and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- 810-litre boot
- Air suspension, HD Matrix LED headlamps and night vision
- RM56,172 more expensive
- Five seats versus the M8’s seven
- No EV range, battery or charging capability
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM328,800✓ | RM384,972 |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM1,632 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 179 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 25.57 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 106 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-DHT | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,212 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,893 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,823 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,420 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 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 M8 & Touareg for sale
M8 vs Touareg FAQ
Is the GAC M8 or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The GAC M8 is better for carrying seven people and using its 106 km EV range. The Volkswagen Touareg is better for performance, with 335 hp, all-wheel drive, a 6.0-second sprint and far more boot space.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM56,172 more than the GAC M8. The Touareg also has RM1,632 annual road tax listed, while no annual road-tax figure is stated for the M8.
Which one is better for passengers and luggage?
The GAC M8 carries seven occupants and has second-row captain’s chairs, but its boot holds 280 litres. The Volkswagen Touareg seats five yet has an 810-litre boot, 530 litres more than the M8.