2025 Jaecoo J8 launched in Malaysia – 2 variants of flagship SUV lands for between RM179k to RM199k

Omoda Jaecoo Malaysia has launched its new flagship SUV, the J8, which had previously made its public debut at 1Utama back in March. At a glitzy airline-themed ‘Altitude of Luxury’ launch gala, O&J has set loose their most premium offering, priced at RM179k for the 5-seater (2-row) FWD variant and RM199k 6-seater (3-row) variant with AWD.

• Jaecoo J8 5-seater - 2WD - RM178,800
• Jaecoo J8 6-seater - AWD - RM198,800

“Defined by four simple words—‘Off Road First Class’— the JAECOO J8 captures the essence and ambition of OMODA | JAECOO – delivering vehicles that redefine expectations in their segment while creating exceptional ownership journeys,” said OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia Vice President, Emily Lek.

“Marking exactly one year since the launch of the popular J7, the JAECOO J8 will now define a new altitude of technology, performance and adventure for the OMODA | JAECOO brand while still keeping with the ethos of attainable luxury. We celebrate this anniversary with over 17,000 vehicles now on Malaysian roads. We’re deeply grateful for the continued support from our customers across Malaysia,” she added.

While it’s easy to draw the comparison with the Tiggo 8 Pro from Chery, the J8 is most definitely bearing a more upmarket design language as well as boasting substantially larger dimensions at 4,820 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, and 1,699 mm in height.

The J8 does have a rather traditional, albeit more swept back, two-box large SUV profile that’s reminiscent of models from American brands such as Ford, Lincoln, Cadillac and Chevrolet. In particular, its design cues and proportions seem to most closely emulate the Lincoln Aviator.

At least from the exterior, a sure-fire way to determine if you’re looking at the 2WD or AWD variant of the J8, the most obvious difference would be whether the glass box has been given a gloss black finish. The AWD gets this 2-tone finish while the 2WD is in single tone. Speaking of which, there will be just 3 exterior body colours. 

Compared to the Chery 3-row SUV, it is nearly 100mm longer and 70mm wider with a wheelbase that’s 110mm longer (at 2,820mm) between the axles. While it is technically in direct competition with the Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-8, Jaecoo is targeting an estimated price of around RM200,000, making it pricier than the Omoda C9 which starts at RM169k. Interestingly, the J8 also shares the adaptive CDC dampers that debuted here in C9. 

Under the bonnet, however, the J8 shares quite a bit of its powertrain with the Tiggo 8 Pro, utilising the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 249PS and 385Nm of torque which is also shared with the Omoda C9, albeit in a slighty higher state of tune. Power, like in the C9, is sent through an 8-speed automatic transmission instead of the previously fitted 7-speed dual-clutch.

Both have a top speed of 200km/h, though the 2WD variant does boast a slightly quicker sprint time at 8.8 seconds versus 9.0 for the AWD. Just as well, the AWD’s fuel economy is rated at 8.1L/100km as opposed to 7.8L/100km for the 2WD.

Inside, the cabin does do its part to impart a sense of sophistication with a layout that, as we’ve noted in other Chery group cars, bear a resemblance to various Mercedes-Benzes - the previous-generation W213 Mercedes E-Class, in this case - featuring a widescreen display panel, wraparound wood trim, metallic air vents, and a broad centre console.

For added comfort, the 6-seater variant comes with plush second-row captain’s chairs while the 5-seater FWD variant swaps these out for a single rear bench for 3 abreast seated passengers and omits a 3rd row of seats entirely, giving it a larger boot capacity with all seats up at 738-litres compared to the 200-litres in the 3-row AWD unless one folds the rear-most seats down. Notable, is that we're informed the leather seats on both variants will be coloured black upon the J8's Malaysian launch, as opposed to the pale brown seen in this preview unit. 

Other highlights on its specification sheet include full-LED lighting, ‘waterfall’ front grille, dual-tone 20-inch alloys, flush pop-out door handles, twin 12.3-inch displays, 4-zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats with massaging function for both the first and second rows, a panoramic sunroof, cooled armrest storage, paddle shifters, a 540-degree camera system, and a 12-speaker Sony sound system.

The SUV is equipped with an advanced Level 2.5 ADAS suite inclusive of full speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Driver Monitoring System (DMS), Lane Change Assistance (LCA), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), and Forward Distance Monitoring (FDM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Event Data Recorder (EDR) and Fully Automatic Parking in the AWD variant.

All J8s will come with a 7-year (or 150,000km) vehicle warranty. However, those who have booked in advance or before July 21st will 1 year complimentary insurance as well as a 10-year (or 1,000,000km) engine warranty.

As you might remember, the J8 was one of the first Jaecoos to officially appear on Malaysian soil as the brand made its market entrance in early 2024 year as it was previewed alongside the then-incoming J7. It was later spotted again in June during the opening of Jaecoo’s local assembly plant in Shah Alam.

Though, initially expected to launch in the final quarter of 2024, its arrival now in the 3rd quarter of 2025 had been delayed as Jaecoo focused on rolling out the Omoda C9 and the J7 PHEV. Now that they’re both out of the way and in showrooms, the J8 is finally getting its moment.