Verdict
The Omoda Jaecoo J7 is the more heavily equipped choice, pairing 194 hp and 290 Nm with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 9.2 seconds, plus adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera. Its RM120 annual road tax is also far below the Kia Sportage’s RM440. But the Sportage gives Malaysian families a meaningful 587-litre boot against 412 litres and a 2,755-mm wheelbase versus 2,672 mm. The Kia is the practical pick; the J7 earns its extra outlay through performance and equipment.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J7 if you want 194 hp, 290 Nm and a much fuller active-safety and convenience kit.
Pick the Kia Sportage if a 587-litre boot, longer 2,755-mm wheelbase and lower purchase price matter more than equipment.
Key differences
- Price: RM138,800 for the Omoda Jaecoo J7 versus RM129,639 for the Kia Sportage
- Output: 194 hp and 290 Nm for the J7 versus 154 hp and 192 Nm for the Sportage
- Road tax: RM120 per year for the J7 versus RM440 per year for the Sportage
- Boot space: 412 litres for the J7 versus 587 litres for the Sportage
- Wheelbase: 2,672 mm for the J7 versus 2,755 mm for the Sportage
- Wheels: 19-inch alloys for the J7 versus 17-inch alloys for the Sportage
J7
- 194 hp and 290 Nm turbo petrol engine
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist
- Seven-year/150,000-km warranty
- RM9,161 more expensive
- 412-litre boot is 175 litres smaller
- 83-mm shorter wheelbase
Sportage
- 587-litre boot
- RM9,161 lower purchase price
- Longer 2,755-mm wheelbase
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the J7
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot system or lane-keeping assist
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty is shorter
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM138,800 | RM129,639✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 194 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Torque | 290 Nm✓ | 192 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 77 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.9 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed Dual-clutch Gearbox | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.2 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,680 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,672 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,578 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 412 litres | 587 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Cooper Evolution CTT | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | 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 for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Available for all seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 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 Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear, 2 Wireless Chargers | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.8-inch Portrait Touchscreen with Sony Sound System, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
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 J7 & Sportage for sale
J7 vs Sportage FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo J7 or Kia Sportage better?
The J7 is better equipped and substantially stronger, with 194 hp and 290 Nm versus 154 hp and 192 Nm. The Sportage is better for carrying luggage, thanks to its 587-litre boot versus 412 litres.
What is the price difference?
The Omoda Jaecoo J7 costs RM9,161 more than the Kia Sportage.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Omoda Jaecoo J7 has lower annual road tax at RM120, compared with RM440 for the Kia Sportage. Its 1,598-cc engine also delivers 194 hp, despite being smaller than the Kia’s 1,999-cc unit.