Verdict
At RM178,800, the Omoda Jaecoo J8 costs RM9,800 more than the RM169,000 smart #1, but it is a much larger D-segment SUV: 4,820 mm long with a 2,820 mm wheelbase, against 4,270 mm and 2,750 mm. Its 246 hp, 385 Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol drivetrain also brings an 8-speed automatic and 200 km/h top speed. The smart #1 is the quicker, lighter-running choice: its 268 hp, 343 Nm rear motor reaches 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and has a 315 km EV range, but its 411-litre boot is the practical surprise.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J8 if you want the larger 4,820 mm D-segment SUV, 200 km/h top speed and seven-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty.
Pick the smart #1 if you can charge an EV and want 6.7-second acceleration, a 315 km range and a 411-litre boot for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo J8 RM178,800; smart #1 RM169,000.
- Performance: Omoda Jaecoo J8 246 hp, 385 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 9.0 seconds; smart #1 268 hp, 343 Nm and 6.7 seconds.
- Size: Omoda Jaecoo J8 is 4,820 mm long on a 2,820 mm wheelbase; smart #1 is 4,270 mm long on a 2,750 mm wheelbase.
- Luggage space: Omoda Jaecoo J8 has 200 litres; smart #1 has 411 litres.
- Running hardware: Omoda Jaecoo J8 uses a 1,998 cc petrol engine and 65-litre tank; smart #1 has a 49 kWh battery, 315 km range, 7.
- Warranty: Omoda Jaecoo J8 gets seven years/150,000 km; smart #1 gets four years/unlimited mileage, plus an eight-year/200,000 km battery warranty.
J8
- Larger 4,820 mm D-segment body and 2,820 mm wheelbase.
- 385 Nm turbo petrol torque with an 8-speed automatic.
- Seven-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty and full-size spare tyre.
- 200-litre boot is 211 litres smaller than the smart #1's.
- 0-100 km/h takes 9.0 seconds versus 6.7 seconds.
- Costs RM9,800 more and has RM439 annual road tax versus RM260.
#1
- 268 hp rear motor delivers 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
- 411-litre boot is more than double the J8's 200 litres.
- 49 kWh battery supports 315 km range, 150 kW DC charging and 3.3 kW V2L.
- 4,270 mm body and 2,750 mm wheelbase are smaller than the J8's.
- 180 km/h top speed is 20 km/h below the J8's.
- Four-year vehicle warranty is shorter than the J8's seven years/150,000 km.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM178,800 | RM169,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM260✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 246 hp | — |
| Torque | 385 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 343 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 315 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7.2 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 6.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,820 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width | 1,930 mm | 1,822 mm |
| Height | 1,699 mm | 1,636 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,750 mm |
| Weight | 1,892 kg | 1,780 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 200 litres | 411 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 235/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 235/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | — |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Amps Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Amps Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available For Second Row Seats | Available On Front Passenger Seat, Rear Outer Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Door Opening Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam, |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Reflector with Manual Levelling |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats | 10-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Powered Front Passenger's Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding and Reclining | 60:40 Split-fold with Sliding Adjustment |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 3 USB-C, 1 USB-A, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights, 64-colour Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades | Yes |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-Speaker Sony Sound System | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| 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 (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Yes, Powered |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, With 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 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 J8 & #1 for sale
J8 vs #1 FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo J8 or smart #1 better?
The smart #1 is better for EV performance, with 268 hp, 6.7-second acceleration and a 411-litre boot. Choose the Omoda Jaecoo J8 for its substantially larger body, 385 Nm petrol power and seven-year vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Omoda Jaecoo J8 costs RM9,800 more than the smart #1. Its annual road tax is also RM179 higher, at RM439 versus RM260.
Which one has the bigger boot?
The smart #1 has the bigger boot at 411 litres, beating the Omoda Jaecoo J8's 200 litres by 211 litres. This is despite the J8 being 550 mm longer.