Verdict
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 costs RM42,698 less at RM168,800, yet its 2.0-litre turbo makes 257 hp and 400 Nm against the Kia Sorento’s 177 hp and 232 Nm from a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated unit. It also brings an eight-speed automatic, 660-litre boot, 20-inch wheels, head-up display and seven-year/150,000 km warranty. The Sorento answers with seven seats, third-row air vents and a slightly longer 2,815 mm wheelbase. For five occupants and stronger performance, the C9 is the sharper buy; the Kia’s case is carrying more people.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo C9 if you need a five-seat SUV with 257 hp, a 660-litre boot and a RM42,698 lower purchase price.
Pick the Kia Sorento if seven seats, third-row ventilation and six additional seatbelts matter more than outright power and boot volume.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo C9 RM168,800; Kia Sorento RM211,498.
- Power and torque: Omoda Jaecoo C9 257 hp and 400 Nm; Kia Sorento 177 hp and 232 Nm.
- Seating: Omoda Jaecoo C9 five seats; Kia Sorento seven seats.
- Boot space: Omoda Jaecoo C9 660 litres; Kia Sorento 187 litres.
- Warranty: Omoda Jaecoo C9 seven years/150,000 km; Kia Sorento five years/100,000 km.
- Road tax: Omoda Jaecoo C9 RM439 per year; Kia Sorento RM838 per year.
C9
- 257 hp and 400 Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine
- 660-litre boot and 20-inch alloy wheels
- Seven-year/150,000 km warranty, plus head-up display
- Five seats versus the Sorento’s seven
- No front foglamps or alarm, both fitted to the Sorento
- Rear air-con vents only, rather than the Sorento’s third-row vents with blower control
Sorento
- Seven seats with 50:50 split-folding third row
- Third-row air vents with blower control
- Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and contactless powered boot
- RM42,698 higher price
- 177 hp and 232 Nm versus 257 hp and 400 Nm
- 187-litre boot versus 660 litres, with a shorter five-year/100,000 km warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,800✓ | 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 | 257 hp✓ | 177 hp |
| Torque | 400 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 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,775 mm | 4,810 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,671 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Weight | 1,786 kg | 1,719 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 660 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 | Michelin e-Primacy | 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 & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear 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 with Seat Ventilation | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 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 | Rear AC Vents | Second Row Vents, Third Row Vents with Blower Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear, 2 Wireless Chargers | 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 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade | — |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Eight Speaker 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | 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 C9 & Sorento for sale
C9 vs Sorento FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo C9 or Kia Sorento better?
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 is better for five-seat use: it is cheaper, has 80 hp and 168 Nm more, and a 660-litre boot. Choose the Kia Sorento only if its seven seats and third-row air-con are essential.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sorento costs RM42,698 more than the Omoda Jaecoo C9: RM211,498 versus RM168,800.
Which has the better warranty?
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 has the longer warranty at seven years or 150,000 km. The Kia Sorento is covered for five years or 100,000 km.