Verdict
The Omoda Jaecoo J8 costs RM178,800 to the Kia EV9’s RM368,668, leaving a RM189,868 gap that is hard to ignore. The J8 is the sensible five-seat petrol SUV: 246 hp, 385 Nm, an eight-speed automatic, a full-size spare and a seven-year/150,000 km warranty. The EV9 uses that premium for seven seats, 380 hp and 700 Nm from two motors, AWD, a 99.8 kWh battery and 505 km range. For a large family able to charge at home or on the road, the Kia’s extra space and EV hardware are meaningful; for most budgets, the J8 is far easier to justify.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J8 if you want the far lower entry price, a five-seat petrol SUV and seven years of vehicle warranty.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you need seven seats, 505 km EV range, AWD and 700 Nm from its dual-motor powertrain.
Key differences
- Powertrain: J8 246 hp and 385 Nm from a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine; EV9 380 hp and 700 Nm from two electric motors.
- Driveline: J8 front-wheel drive with an eight-speed automatic; EV9 all-wheel drive with a single-ratio automatic.
- Accommodation: J8 has 5 seats and 200 litres of boot space; EV9 has 7 seats and 333 litres.
- EV hardware: J8 has no traction battery or charging rate; EV9 has a 99.8 kWh battery, 505 km range, 11 kW AC and 350 kW DC charging.
- Size and weight: J8 is 4,820 mm long and 1,892 kg; EV9 is 5,015 mm long and 2,648 kg.
- Warranty: J8 has 7 years/150,000 km; EV9 has 5 years/150,000 km, plus an 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty.
J8
- RM189,868 less expensive to buy.
- Seven-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty.
- Full-size spare tyre instead of a repair kit.
- Only 5 seats and 200 litres of boot space versus the EV9’s 7 seats and 333 litres.
- Front-wheel drive and 385 Nm versus AWD and 700 Nm.
- Six airbags versus seven airbags.
EV9
- Seven seats with 333 litres of boot space.
- Dual-motor AWD with 380 hp and 700 Nm.
- 99.8 kWh battery, 505 km range, 350 kW DC charging and 3.6 kW V2L.
- RM189,868 more expensive to buy.
- Five-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty versus the J8’s seven years.
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare tyre.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM178,800✓ | RM368,668 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM515 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 246 hp at 5,500 rpm | — |
| Torque | 385 Nm at 1,750 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 380 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 700 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 99.8 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 505 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.6 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,820 mm | 5,015 mm |
| Width | 1,930 mm | 1,980 mm |
| Height | 1,699 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 3,100 mm |
| Weight | 1,892 kg | 2,648 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 200 litres | 333 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 285/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 285/45R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | Continental PremiumContact C |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Automatic For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available For Second Row Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row |
| Autonomous Braking System | 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 | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory and Massage Settings, Heating |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding and Reclining | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades | Panoramic Glass Roof and Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-Speaker Sony Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour 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 Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with Surround View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, Remote Parking Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 years/160,000 km for EV 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 J8 & EV9 for sale
J8 vs EV9 FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo J8 or Kia EV9 better?
The EV9 is better for seven-seat family duties and electric driving, with AWD, 505 km range and 333 litres of boot space. The J8 is the better budget choice, retaining a 246 hp turbo petrol engine and seven-year vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 costs RM189,868 more than the Omoda Jaecoo J8. That buys two motors, a 99.8 kWh battery, seven seats, AWD and a larger 333-litre boot.
Which one is easier to live with for long trips?
The J8 carries a 65-litre petrol tank and a full-size spare tyre. The EV9 has a quoted 505 km range, 11 kW AC and 350 kW DC charging, but uses a tyre repair kit rather than a spare.