Verdict
The Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV costs RM12,088 less yet brings a 208 hp/288 Nm motor, 58.9 kWh battery and 402 km EV range, against the Fronx’s 100 hp/138 Nm 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol setup. It is also 385 mm longer and carries 480 litres, not 308 litres. For Malaysian buyers able to charge, that is substantial extra performance and usable space for less money. The Suzuki answers with RM120 annual road tax instead of RM180, a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating and a head-up display, but its 3,995 mm body is handier in tight parking spaces.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV if you can charge regularly and want 402 km EV range, 208 hp and a 480-litre boot for less money.
Pick the Suzuki Fronx if lower RM120 annual road tax, a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating and a compact 3,995 mm body matter more than EV driving.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV RM118,800; Suzuki Fronx RM130,888.
- Output: Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV 208 hp and 288 Nm; Suzuki Fronx 100 hp and 138 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV 4,380 mm and 2,620 mm; Suzuki Fronx 3,995 mm and 2,520 mm.
- Boot space: Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV 480 litres; Suzuki Fronx 308 litres.
- Rear suspension: Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV multi-link; Suzuki Fronx torsion beam.
- Manufacturer warranty: Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV seven years/150,000 km; Suzuki Fronx three years/100,000 km.
J5 EV
- 208 hp/288 Nm electric motor with 402 km EV range
- 480-litre boot, expanding to 1,284 litres with rear seats folded
- Seven-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty and 10-year/200,000 km battery warranty
- RM180 annual road tax versus the Fronx’s RM120
- No head-up display or paddle shifts
Fronx
- RM120 annual road tax
- 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating
- Head-up display and paddle shifts
- Costs RM12,088 more than the J5 EV
- 308-litre boot is 172 litres smaller
- Three-year/100,000 km vehicle warranty is shorter than the J5 EV’s
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM118,800✓ | RM130,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM180 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing and Mild-hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,462 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 100 hp |
| Torque | — | 138 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 208 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 288 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 58.9 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 402 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Single-speed Automatic | 6AT |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,380 mm | 3,995 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,650 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm | 2,520 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 37 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 308 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R18 | 215/50R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | GitiControl P10 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Indonesia (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Aerodynamic Two-tone Alloys | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Aerodynamic Two-tone Alloys | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front & Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Multi-Collision Braking | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | 19 Level 2+ ADAS: RCTA with Braking, Emergency Lane Keeping, Evasive Steering Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Door Opening Warning, Active Speed Limiter, Rear Collision Warning | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Six-way Power Driver and Four-way Power Passenger Seats, Ventilated | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Split-folding (up to 1,284 L cargo) | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof (1.45 m) | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Interactive Multi-colour Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade | — |
| Audio | 13.2" 2K Touchscreen + 8" Digital Cluster, 8 Speakers, 50W Ventilated Wireless Charging | 9" Infotainment Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 6 Spekers |
| 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 Entry and Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control with Integrated Cruise Assist | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 540-degree HD Surround View | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | High-voltage battery warranty 10 years/200,000 km | 5-year/100,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 J5 EV & Fronx for sale
J5 EV vs Fronx FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV or Suzuki Fronx better?
The J5 EV is the better choice for drivers with charging access: it is cheaper, has 208 hp and a 480-litre boot. Choose the Fronx for its lower annual road tax, 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating and smaller footprint.
What is the price difference?
The Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV is RM12,088 cheaper than the Suzuki Fronx.
Which has more luggage space?
The J5 EV has the larger boot at 480 litres, compared with 308 litres for the Fronx. Folding the J5 EV’s rear seats increases its cargo capacity to 1,284 litres.