Verdict
At RM178,800, the Omoda Jaecoo J8 costs RM11,988 less than the RM190,788 Subaru Crosstrek, yet brings a much larger 4,820 mm body, 246 hp and 385 Nm. That is a serious performance and cabin-footprint advantage for a Malaysian family buyer, backed by a seven-year/150,000 km warranty. But the J8’s 200-litre boot is unusually small beside the Crosstrek’s 315 litres, and it is front-wheel drive. The Subaru counters with all-wheel drive, more airbags and stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, though its 154 hp naturally aspirated engine gives away plenty to the turbo J8.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J8 if you want more power, a 150 mm longer wheelbase and a lower purchase price, and can live with front-wheel drive and a 200-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if all-wheel drive, a 315-litre boot and its broader airbag provision matter more than outright power and price.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo J8 RM178,800; Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788.
- Output: Omoda Jaecoo J8 246 hp and 385 Nm; Subaru Crosstrek 154 hp and 196 Nm.
- Driveline: Omoda Jaecoo J8 front-wheel drive; Subaru Crosstrek all-wheel drive.
- Size: Omoda Jaecoo J8 4,820 mm long with a 2,820 mm wheelbase; Subaru Crosstrek 4,480 mm and 2,670 mm.
- Boot space: Omoda Jaecoo J8 200 litres; Subaru Crosstrek 315 litres.
- Warranty: Omoda Jaecoo J8 seven years/150,000 km; Subaru Crosstrek five years/100,000 km.
J8
- RM11,988 less expensive
- 246 hp and 385 Nm turbo engine
- Larger body, panoramic sunroof and rear climate control
- 200-litre boot versus 315 litres
- Front-wheel drive versus all-wheel drive
- No front foglamps or driver’s knee airbag
Crosstrek
- All-wheel drive
- 315-litre boot
- Driver knee and front passenger seat-cushion airbags
- RM11,988 higher price
- 154 hp and 196 Nm trail the J8
- No rear air-con, head-up display or auto parking
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM178,800✓ | RM190,788 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM438✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with direct injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 246 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Torque | 385 Nm✓ | 196 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,820 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,930 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,699 mm | 1,575 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,892 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 200 litres | 315 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Passenger Seat Cushion |
| 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 | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available For Second Row Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding and Reclining | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-Speaker Sony Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent 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 J8 & Crosstrek for sale
J8 vs Crosstrek FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo J8 or Subaru Crosstrek better?
The Omoda Jaecoo J8 is the stronger buy for power, size, equipment and warranty at a lower price. Choose the Subaru Crosstrek instead if all-wheel drive, its 315-litre boot and additional airbags are your priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Crosstrek costs RM11,988 more than the Omoda Jaecoo J8. Annual road tax is effectively identical at RM438 for the Subaru and RM439 for the J8.
Which has the larger boot, the Omoda Jaecoo J8 or Subaru Crosstrek?
The Subaru Crosstrek has the larger boot at 315 litres, 115 litres more than the Omoda Jaecoo J8’s 200 litres. The J8 is substantially longer, but that does not translate to the larger stated luggage capacity.