Verdict
The Omoda Jaecoo J5 costs RM108,000, undercutting the RM126,629 MG ZS EV by RM18,629 while giving you the larger body, 480-litre boot, powered passenger seat, powered tailgate and multi-link rear suspension. The MG fights back where an EV should: one motor with 174 hp and 280 Nm, an 8.0-second 0-100 km/h time, 51.1 kWh battery, 320 km range, 50 kW DC charging and 2.5 kW V2L. For Malaysian buyers, this is space and kit versus electric performance and charging practicality.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J5 if you want the cheaper, roomier B-SUV with more convenience kit and a conventional petrol drivetrain.
Pick the MG ZS EV if you want EV running, stronger acceleration and factory-rated range with DC charging and V2L.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo J5 RM108,000; MG ZS EV RM126,629
- Powertrain: Omoda Jaecoo J5 1.5 litre turbo petrol CVT; MG ZS EV single-motor electric single-speed
- Output: Omoda Jaecoo J5 145 hp/210 Nm; MG ZS EV 174 hp/280 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Omoda Jaecoo J5 10.2 seconds; MG ZS EV 8.0 seconds
- Boot space: Omoda Jaecoo J5 480 litres; MG ZS EV 448 litres
- Charging/range: Omoda Jaecoo J5 not applicable; MG ZS EV 51.1 kWh battery, 320 km range, 7 kW AC and 50 kW DC
J5
- RM18,629 cheaper than the MG ZS EV
- Larger outside, with 4,380 mm length, 1,860 mm width and 2,620 mm wheelbase
- Gets powered front seats, powered boot, front parking sensors and built-in navigation
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 10.2 seconds versus 8.0 seconds
- Lower output: 145 hp and 210 Nm versus 174 hp and 280 Nm
- Manufacturer warranty is mileage-capped at 150,000 km, unlike the MG’s unlimited-mileage cover
ZS EV
- Quicker and stronger, with 174 hp, 280 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 8.0 seconds
- EV hardware includes a 51.1 kWh battery, 320 km range, 50 kW DC charging and 2.5 kW V2L
- Five-year manufacturer warranty has unlimited mileage, plus an 8-year/150,000 km battery warranty
- Costs RM18,629 more than the Omoda Jaecoo J5
- Smaller boot: 448 litres versus 480 litres
- Has a tyre repair kit instead of the J5’s space-saver spare
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 108,000✓ | RM 126,629 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 145 hp | — |
| Torque | 210 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 174 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 280 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 51.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 320 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 50 kW |
| V2L | — | 2.5 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | 8 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h✓ | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,380 mm | 4,323 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,650 mm | 1,625 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm | 2,585 mm |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 448 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R18 | 215/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R18 | 215/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Chao Yang Aggressor ZS03+ M+S | Michelin Primacy 3 ST |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags | 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 | Manual For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | Available On Outer Two 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 | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 4 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 13.2-inch Portrait Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Karaoke Functionality | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/150,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120 | RM 120 |
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.
J5 vs ZS EV FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo J5 or MG ZS EV better?
The MG ZS EV is better for acceleration and EV use, with 174 hp, 280 Nm and 320 km range. The Omoda Jaecoo J5 is better for price, size and boot space, costing RM18,629 less and offering 480 litres.
What is the price difference?
The Omoda Jaecoo J5 is RM18,629 cheaper. It is priced at RM108,000, while the MG ZS EV costs RM126,629.
Which one is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The MG ZS EV is quicker, taking 8.0 seconds from 0-100 km/h. The Omoda Jaecoo J5 takes 10.2 seconds, although it has the slightly higher top speed at 175 km/h versus 170 km/h.