Verdict
At RM178,800, the Omoda Jaecoo J8 undercuts the RM211,498 Kia Sorento by RM32,698 while bringing 246 hp and 385 Nm against 177 hp and 232 Nm. Its 8-speed automatic, 20-inch wheels, 360-degree camera, head-up display and seven-year/150,000 km warranty make it the sharper buy for five occupants. The Sorento answers with seven seats, third-row air-con vents and a slightly larger 67-litre tank, but its 187-litre boot is 13 litres smaller. For a Malaysian family that regularly uses a third row, the Kia’s layout matters more than the J8’s stronger numbers.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J8 if five seats are enough and you want RM32,698 back in your pocket alongside 69 hp and 153 Nm more.
Pick the Kia Sorento if you need seven seats, third-row ventilation and ISOFIX provision for the second and third rows.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo J8 RM178,800; Kia Sorento RM211,498.
- Output: Omoda Jaecoo J8 246 hp and 385 Nm; Kia Sorento 177 hp and 232 Nm.
- Seating: Omoda Jaecoo J8 five seats; Kia Sorento seven seats.
- Transmission: Omoda Jaecoo J8 8-speed automatic; Kia Sorento 6-speed automatic.
- Warranty: Omoda Jaecoo J8 seven years/150,000 km; Kia Sorento five years/100,000 km.
- Kerb weight: Omoda Jaecoo J8 1,892 kg; Kia Sorento 1,719 kg.
J8
- RM32,698 lower price with 246 hp and 385 Nm.
- 360-degree camera, head-up display and auto parking.
- Seven-year/150,000 km warranty and full-size spare tyre.
- Only five seats versus the Sorento's seven.
- Heavier at 1,892 kg versus 1,719 kg.
- No front foglamps or automatic high beam.
Sorento
- Seven seats with third-row vents and blower control.
- ISOFIX provision extends to the second and third rows.
- Contactless powered boot and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.
- Costs RM32,698 more despite 177 hp and 232 Nm.
- Shorter five-year/100,000 km warranty.
- No 360-degree camera, head-up display or auto parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM178,800✓ | RM211,498 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM838 |
| 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 | 1,998 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Horsepower | 246 hp✓ | 177 hp |
| Torque | 385 Nm✓ | 232 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 88.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Kia |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,820 mm | 4,810 mm |
| Width | 1,930 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,699 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Weight | 1,892 kg | 1,719 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 200 litres✓ | 187 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual 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 | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector with Automatic High Beam |
| 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 | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding and Reclining | 60:40 Split-folding Second Row, 50:50 Split-folding Third Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Second Row Vents, Third Row Vents with Blower Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Second Row, 1 Boot, 3 Front USB, 1 Second Row USB, 2 Third Row USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-Speaker Sony Sound System | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, 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 & Go |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| 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 J8 & Sorento for sale
J8 vs Sorento FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo J8 or Kia Sorento better?
The J8 is the better value choice for five people: it costs less, has 246 hp and 385 Nm, and carries a longer seven-year/150,000 km warranty. Choose the Sorento only if its seven-seat cabin and third-row ventilation are regular requirements.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sorento costs RM32,698 more than the Omoda Jaecoo J8: RM211,498 against RM178,800.
Which has more boot space?
The Omoda Jaecoo J8 has the larger listed boot at 200 litres, compared with 187 litres for the Kia Sorento. The Sorento, however, has two extra seats.