Verdict
The Omoda Jaecoo J8 AWD costs RM198,800 to the FWD’s RM178,800, and the RM20,000 gap buys all-wheel drive, adaptive suspension, 10 rather than six airbags and a six-seat cabin. Yet both use a 246 hp/385 Nm 2.0-litre turbo with an eight-speed automatic and reach 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds. The FWD is the sensible choice for a five-seat household that wants the same performance for less. Choose the AWD only if its extra seats, safety count and comfort equipment matter to your use.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J8 FWD if you want the same 246 hp and 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time in a five-seat layout for less money.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo J8 AWD if you need six seats, all-wheel drive, adaptive suspension and the fuller 10-airbag safety package.
Key differences
- Price: RM178,800 for the FWD; RM198,800 for the AWD.
- Driveline: Front Wheel Drive for the FWD; All Wheel Drive for the AWD.
- Seating: 5 seats in the FWD; 6 seats in the AWD.
- Airbags: 6 in the FWD; 10 in the AWD.
- Chassis: no adaptive suspension listed for the FWD; adaptive suspension on the AWD.
- Audio: 12-speaker Sony sound system in the FWD; 14-speaker Sony sound system in the AWD.
FWD
- Lower purchase price.
- Five-seat cabin with a 60:40 split-folding, reclining rear bench.
- Same 246 hp, 385 Nm and 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time as the AWD.
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
- Six airbags rather than 10.
- No adaptive suspension or seat ventilation and massage functions.
AWD
- All-wheel drive and adaptive suspension.
- 10 airbags, including a front centre airbag and driver’s knee airbag.
- Six-seat layout with ventilated, massaging middle-row captain seats and a 14-speaker Sony system.
- Costs RM20,000 more than the FWD.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM178,800✓ | RM198,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 246 hp at 5,500 rpm | 246 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 385 Nm at 1,750 rpm | 385 Nm at 1,750 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,820 mm | 4,820 mm |
| Width | 1,930 mm | 1,930 mm |
| Height | 1,699 mm | 1,699 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm | 2,820 mm |
| Weight | 1,892 kg | 1,892 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 6 |
| Boot Space | 200 litres | 200 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 245/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 245/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Full Size Spare |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags) | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available For Second Row Seats | Available For Second Row 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 Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats with Seat Ventilation and Massaging Functions |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding and Reclining | Individual Captain Seat Middle Row with Ventilation, Massaging and 2 Person Memory, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-Speaker Sony Sound System | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 14-Speaker Sony 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 |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years | 7 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 cars for sale
FWD vs AWD FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo J8 FWD or Omoda Jaecoo J8 AWD better?
The AWD is better equipped, adding all-wheel drive, adaptive suspension, 10 airbags and six seats. The FWD is the better-value choice if five seats suit your family, as both have 246 hp, 385 Nm and a 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Omoda Jaecoo J8 AWD costs RM20,000 more than the Omoda Jaecoo J8 FWD.
Does the Omoda Jaecoo J8 AWD have more seats and safety equipment?
Yes. The AWD has six seats and 10 airbags, while the FWD has five seats and six airbags. Both retain autonomous braking, blind spot monitoring, steering-correction lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
