JAECOO Launches J8 SUV in Malaysia with ‘Off Road First Class’ Focus

OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia Product Manager, Faiz Bahruddin,

OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia Country Director, Vincent Bien

Chery Corporate Malaysia, Vice President, Cheng Nam Weng

Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Deputy Secretary General (Industry), Datuk Hanafi Sakri, 

MITI, Yang Berhormat Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Abdul Aziz,

Chery Corporate Malaysia, Executive Vice President, Leo Chen,

OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia Vice President, Emily Lek.
OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia Product Manager, Faiz Bahruddin, OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia Country Director, Vincent Bien, Chery Corporate Malaysia, Vice President, Cheng Nam Weng, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Deputy Secretary General (Industry), Datuk Hanafi Sakri, MITI, Yang Berhormat Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Chery Corporate Malaysia, Executive Vice President, Leo Chen, OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia Vice President, Emily Lek (left to right)

OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia has officially launched the JAECOO J8 SUV, marking the brand’s most premium offering to date. The flagship model represents what the company calls the “pinnacle of prestige, technological innovation, and all-terrain capability” from their stable. The launch comes exactly one year after the introduction of the popular J7 model, with the brand now having over 17,000 vehicles on Malaysian roads.

“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. 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.”

OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia Vice President, Emily Lek

The JAECOO J8 commands attention with its substantial dimensions, measuring 4,820 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, and 1,710 mm in height, supported by a generous 2,820 mm wheelbase. The design centers around a distinctive Waterfall front grille featuring a cascading motif that balances visual presence with functional airflow optimisation.

Key exterior design elements include clean lines following a golden-ratio silhouette, a distinctive waistline creating an upright stance, hidden door handles for improved aerodynamics, and dual-tone 20-inch alloy wheels that emphasise the vehicle’s dynamic character.

OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia Product Manager, Faiz Bahruddin,

OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia Vice President, Emily Lek.
OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia Product Manager, Faiz Bahruddin, and OMODA | JAECOO Malaysia Vice President, Emily Lek (left to right)

Under the hood, the J8 features a 2.0-litre turbocharged, direct-injected inline four-cylinder petrol engine producing 183 kW and 385 Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain is available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, with the latter featuring intelligent torque vectoring for enhanced traction across varying terrains.

Performance figures show the 2WD variant achieving 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, while the AWD version takes 9.0 seconds. Both variants reach a top speed of 200 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.8L/100km for the 2WD model and 8.1L/100km for the AWD variant, based on WLTP standards.

The vehicle’s off-road credentials are supported by a Continuous Damping Control (CDC) suspension system that automatically adjusts within milliseconds based on terrain and traction requirements, while the powertrain has been calibrated for enhanced thermal management and durability during high-load and off-road conditions.

The J8’s cabin layout differs between variants, with the AWD model featuring a six-seater configuration (2+2+2) and the 2WD variant adopting a five-seater design to maximise boot space. Cargo capacity ranges from 200 litres with the third row upright in the AWD model, expanding to 738 litres with the third row folded, and up to 2,021 litres in the 2WD variant with the second row folded.

The interior showcases twin 12.3-inch widescreen displays integrated into a wraparound dashboard design, complemented by a wide Head-Up Display and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Premium features include a microfiber headliner and a customizable 256-colour Infinite Ambient Lighting system.

Seating comfort reaches new heights in the AWD variant, which offers a first-in-class Queen’s front passenger seat with adjustable leg support, plus Heated, Ventilated, Massage, and Memory (HVMM) functionality for the driver, front passenger, and second-row occupants.

Audio systems are tailored to each variant, with the 2WD model receiving a 12-speaker Sony system, while the AWD version features a 14-speaker Sony setup including headrest speakers. Additional convenience features include a 50W wireless smartphone charger with built-in cooling, NFC-based keyless entry, built-in fragrance system, and integrated Digital Video Recorder.

The J8 comes equipped with an advanced Level 2.5 ADAS suite featuring full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Monitoring System, Lane Change Assistance, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Distance Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Event Data Recorder, and Fully Automatic Parking in the AWD variant.

The safety architecture is enhanced by the OneBox brake-by-wire system, which has been specifically calibrated for the vehicle’s proportions and driving dynamics.

Demonstrating the brand’s commitment to the Malaysian market, the JAECOO J8 will be locally assembled at the Chery Corporate Malaysia Factory in Shah Alam. This local production underscores the company’s long-term investment in the national automotive ecosystem.

Pricing reflects the brand’s “attainable luxury” positioning, with the J8 2WD starting from RM178,800 and the J8 AWD from RM198,800.

An exclusive Early Bird offer is available for customers who book their JAECOO J8 on or before 21 July 2025. The package includes the JAECOO Prime Protection Programme with complimentary insurance coverage for one year, an upgraded 10-year/unlimited mileage engine warranty extending the standard 7-year/150,000km coverage, and a specially curated off-road experience.

Customer deliveries of the J8 AWD are scheduled to begin in July 2025, with the 2WD variant entering production thereafter.

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Photo credits: JAECOO Malaysia

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