Verdict
At RM178,800, the Omoda Jaecoo J8 undercuts the Subaru Outback by RM100,200 while bringing 246 hp and 385 Nm, against 185 hp and 245 Nm. It is also quicker to 100 km/h at 9.0 seconds versus 9.6 seconds, and its RM439 annual road tax is half the Subaru’s RM878. The Outback answers with all-wheel drive and a far more useful 522-litre boot, compared with the J8’s 200 litres. For Malaysian buyers carrying bulky luggage, that space advantage is decisive; for equipment and warranty cover, the J8 is the stronger buy.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J8 if you want lower entry and road-tax costs, stronger turbo petrol performance, a 360-degree camera and a seven-year/150,000-km warranty.
Pick the Subaru Outback if all-wheel drive, its 522-litre boot and a wagon body matter more than the RM100,200 saving and extra equipment in the J8.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo J8 RM178,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Output: Omoda Jaecoo J8 246 hp and 385 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- Driveline: Omoda Jaecoo J8 front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Omoda Jaecoo J8 200 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Warranty: Omoda Jaecoo J8 seven years/150,000 km; Subaru Outback five years/100,000 km.
- Road tax: Omoda Jaecoo J8 RM439 per year; Subaru Outback RM878 per year.
J8
- 246 hp and 385 Nm turbo petrol engine
- 360-degree camera, auto parking and head-up display
- Seven-year/150,000-km warranty
- Front-wheel drive versus the Outback’s all-wheel drive
- 200-litre boot is 322 litres smaller than the Outback’s
- No front foglamps
Outback
- All-wheel drive
- 522-litre boot
- Driver knee airbag and front foglamps
- Costs RM100,200 more
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the J8’s 246 hp and 385 Nm
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty is shorter than the J8’s
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM178,800✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 246 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | 385 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,820 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,930 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,699 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,892 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 200 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| 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 |
| 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 for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | 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 | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| 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 | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 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, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| 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 and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| 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 | 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 J8 & Outback for sale
J8 vs Outback FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo J8 or Subaru Outback better?
The J8 is the better choice for performance, equipment, warranty cover and lower ownership charges. Choose the Outback if its all-wheel drive and 522-litre boot are essential, because the J8 has only 200 litres of luggage space.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM100,200 more than the Omoda Jaecoo J8. The gap also extends to annual road tax: RM878 for the Outback versus RM439 for the J8.
Which has the better warranty?
The Omoda Jaecoo J8 has the better factory warranty at seven years or 150,000 km. The Subaru Outback is covered for five years or 100,000 km.