After more than a year of teasing, the Jaecoo J8 has finally made its debut in Malaysia. Locally assembled in Shah Alam, this D-segment SUV comes in two variants – a five-seater 2WD priced at RM178,800 and a six-seater AWD at RM198,800. These prices are surprisingly lower than earlier estimates, making it a strong contender in the mid-size SUV market.

For those who book before Sunday, July 21, Jaecoo Malaysia is offering some attractive early-bird perks. You’ll get one year of free motor insurance, a 10-year unlimited mileage powertrain warranty, and an exclusive off-road experience. Deliveries are expected to begin later this month.

Powering the J8 is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 249 PS and 385 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The 2WD version does 0–100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, while the AWD takes 9 seconds flat. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.8L/100km for the 2WD and 8.1L/100km for the AWD.

In terms of size, the J8 measures 4,820 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,699 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,820 mm – putting it in the same league as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, and Proton X90. Design-wise, it leans towards an American SUV look, with styling cues reminiscent of the Lincoln Aviator. The front features a massive “waterfall” grille, slim LED headlights, and bold air intakes. It rides on 20-inch alloy wheels, with Maxxis tyres for the 2WD and Michelin e-Primacy for the AWD.

Inside, the cabin draws inspiration from Mercedes-Benz, featuring twin 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment. You’ll also find dual-zone air-conditioning, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a panoramic sunroof, NFC smart key, built-in dash cam, and a 12-speaker Sony sound system. The AWD variant ups the ante with a head-up display, electronic door latches, air freshener, and 14 speakers including headrest audio.

Seating configurations differ between the two – the 2WD gets a standard bench for the second row, while the AWD offers captain’s chairs with power adjustment. Both models have powered front seats with heating and ventilation, but the AWD adds massage functions and Nappa leather upholstery.

Boot space is generous at 738 litres, with the AWD retaining 200 litres even with all seats up. Fold the rear seats in the 2WD and you get a massive 2,021 litres of cargo space. The AWD also includes adaptive dampers, off-road drive modes, and a torque-vectoring rear differential.

Safety is well-covered with six airbags and a full suite of driver assistance features like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane centering, blind spot monitoring, and more. The AWD variant adds park assist and extra airbags, bringing the total to ten.

The Jaecoo J8 is available in Carbon Crystal Black, Khaki White, and Olive Grey. AWD models get a black roof and privacy glass, while the interior is finished in black across the board.