There are many completely different causes to purchase a full-size SUV nowadays.
Some are constructed for correct four-wheel driving to deal with the rugged outback or towing a caravan across the nation, whereas others are merely designed to navigate the city jungle with sufficient room for big households.
After which there’s the ever-growing breed of luxurious soft-roaders which might be basically high-riding limousines.
There’s something for everybody, and (virtually) each finances.
And one of many latest arrivals on this phase is the Jaecoo J8, a full-size, five-seat soft-roader that provides a style of the champagne life-style with out an opulent price ticket.
So let’s see the way it stacks up on paper in opposition to top-of-the-line all-rounders and most mannequin widespread in its class, the Kia Sorento.
How a lot?
The Jaecoo J8 is on the market in simply two mannequin grades – the entry-level Observe and the flagship Ridge – which might be largely outlined by their drivetrain; the Observe being front-wheel drive whereas the Ridge being all-wheel drive.
Apart from just a few added luxuries and a singular suspension system for the Ridge, they largely share the identical degree of kit (which we’ll get caught into beneath).
| Jaecoo J8 | Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|
| Observe | $49,990 |
| Ridge | $54,990 |
Kia, however, provides 11 completely different variants of the Sorento and the choice of petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
The petrol and diesel fashions might be had in 4 trim ranges – S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line – with costs beginning at $50,880 plus on-roads for the entry-level, front-drive S petrol and topping out at $65,790 for the GT-Line petrol. The diesel engine instructions a $3000 premium throughout the vary and brings all-wheel drive.
The hybrid Sorento HEV and plug-in Sorento PHEV are solely restricted to the top-of-the-line GT-Line trim. The hybrid might be had in both front-wheel drive ($70,330 plus on-roads) or all-wheel drive ($73,330 plus on-roads) configurations, whereas the PHEV is AWD-only and prices $84,660 plus on-roads.
| Kia Sorento | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| S (petrol) | $50,880 |
| Sport (petrol) | $53,500 |
| Sport+ (petrol) | $58,430 |
| GT-Line (petrol) | $65,790 |
| S (diesel) | $53,880 |
| Sport (diesel) | $56,500 |
| Sport+ (diesel) | $61,430 |
| GT-Line (diesel) | $68,790 |
| GT-Line (hybrid FWD) | $70,330 |
| GT-Line (hybrid AWD) | $73,330 |
| GT-Line (PHEV) | $84,600 |
For the rest of this comparability, we are going to pit the range-topping Jaecoo J8 Ridge in opposition to the entry-level Kia Sorento Sport diesel, which line up closest on worth, costing $54,990 drive-away and $56,500 plus on-roads respectively.
What do you get?
Each of those giant SUVs come outfitted with the necessities by way of consolation and digital conveniences, however the Kia misses out on a whole lot of gear in comparison with the Jaecoo.
They share the next options:
- Energy adjustable driver’s seat
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Keyless entry with push-button begin
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment
- Embedded sat-nav
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Twin-zone local weather management with rear air vents
The Sorento rides on 18-inch wheels and will get material trim, however the Jaecoo J8 comes with a lot extra and contours up nearer to the Kia’s range-topping GT-Line trim.
Its extras embody bigger 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, quilted leather-based trim, entrance seats with heating, air flow and therapeutic massage features, dual-zone local weather management with a perfume dispenser, sunroof, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up show, ambient inside lighting, and a 12-speaker Sony audio system.
Are they protected?
Whereas the Sorento is brief on creature comforts, the South Korean automaker doesn’t scrimp on security and all variants come outfitted with a complete array of superior crash-avoidance programs and driver aids, together with:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian, bicycle owner and junction detection
- Lane maintaining help
- Blind spot avoidance help
- Driver consideration alert
- Pace-limit help
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Reverse parking show
- Automated headlights
- Automated high-beam
- Secure exit warning
- 9 airbags, together with a entrance centre airbag
As such, the Kia Sorento scores a most five-star ANCAP security ranking from 2020, when the present mannequin was first launched.
The Jaecoo J8 has but to be examined by ANCAP, however has all the important thing parts required to match the Sorento’s most security ranking – even underneath immediately’s stricter protocols – with further options equivalent to rear cross site visitors alert, automated parking, a 360-degree parking show, and a driver’s knee airbag.
What are they like inside?
Okay, so right here’s the place issues deviate, because the Jaecoo J8 solely has seating for 5, whereas the Sorento has three rows, making it able to carrying as much as seven.
And that will eradicate the J8 from the buying lists of many giant Aussie households.
Nevertheless, if you happen to’re scouring by the top-end of the mid-size SUV phase and need one thing with much more area – and a real sense of luxurious – then the Jaecoo delivers the place it counts.
The cabin is massive and roomy with beneficiant headroom – even with the sunroof – and loads of leg and knee room for these seated within the second row, who’re additionally handled to rear air vents at the back of the centre console in addition to the B-pillars.
The (actual) leather-based trim is luxurious and the entrance seats are tremendous comfy – the passenger even has an extendable leg relaxation like an airliner’s enterprise class seat – and the therapeutic massage perform is among the many finest within the enterprise.
The dual digital screens have easy graphics with a logical menu construction to the infotainment system, and the audio system is crisp and clear. Apparently, the motive force’s seat has in-built audio system within the head restraint you could select to make use of for cellphone calls or navigation directions.
As for boot area, the Jaecoo J8 has a claimed capability of 738 litres – which is large – when the break up/folding rear bench is in use, and may increase to 2021L when it’s folded flat. And it comes with a full-size spare tyre, which is a rarity nowadays.
In distinction, the Kia is extra clearly an entry variant with its material trim, nevertheless it nonetheless has a lot going for it with wonderful construct high quality, an attention-grabbing general design to dashboard, and loads of considerate storage areas.
Just like the Jaecoo, the cabin is spacious, the entrance seats are comfy, there’s wonderful imaginative and prescient with a commanding view from the motive force’s seat, and middle-row occupants have loads of legroom and are handled to air vents.
Entry to the third row is simple, with a one-touch flip-and-slide perform for the middle-row seats, which creates a decent-sized aperture to climb into the very again.
Nevertheless, regardless that the center row can slide forwards and backwards, these two rearmost seats are finest suited to small children.
With the third row in place, boot area is restricted to only 179L and, even in its five-seat configuration, the Kia’s 608L capability is not any match for the Jaecoo. But it surely does additionally include a full-size spare.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Each of those autos are powered by turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines that drive all 4 wheels by an eight-speed automated transmission.
However that’s the place the similarities finish.
The Jaecoo has a 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 183kW of energy and 385Nm of torque, and has a standard torque converter auto, whereas the Kia has a larger-capacity 2.2-litre turbo-diesel that generates much less energy (148kW) however extra torque (440Nm), and drives by a dual-clutch automated with moist clutches.
Each have their strengths and weaknesses. The Kia is extra easy to drive because of its increased torque outputs being served up from simply 1750rpm, and makes use of considerably much less gasoline with a claimed common of 6.0L/100km. which is exceptional for a non-electrified automobile of this measurement.
| Specs | Jaecoo J8 Ridge | Kia Sorento S diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder | 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder |
| Energy | 183kW | 148kW |
| Torque | 385Nm | 440Nm |
| Transmission | Eight-speed automated | Eight-speed dual-clutch automated |
| Drive kind | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1890kg | 1974kg |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 8.6L/100km | 6.0L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 65L | 67L |
| Gasoline requirement | 95-octane premium unleaded | Diesel |
| Braked tow capability | NA | 750kg (unbraked) / 2000kg (braked) |
The Sorento additionally has the flexibility to tow a small caravan or decent-sized trailer too, which is likely to be helpful for adventurous households.
Jaecoo doesn’t quote a towing capability for the J8, however the engine and gearbox really feel smoother, extra refined and quieter.
Price of possession
Kia set a brand new benchmark for aftersales provisions when it turned the primary auto model in Australia to supply a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee greater than a decade in the past, which nonetheless applies immediately.
However rival manufacturers have caught up and even exceeded it, with Omoda Jaecoo masking the J8 with an extended eight-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Jaecoo J8 Ridge | Kia Sorento S diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Guarantee | Eight years / limitless kilometres | Seven years / limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | Eight years (service activated) | Seven years (service activated) |
| Service intervals | 12 months / 15,000km | 12 months / 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | Eight years | Seven years |
| Whole capped-price service price | $3452 | $3795 |
Each autos additionally include free roadside help for the primary 12 months, which is prolonged annually when the car is serviced inside the authorised supplier community, and capped-price service schemes at some stage in the guarantee.
In addition they match one another with service intervals at 12 months or 15,000km, however the Jaecoo is cheaper to take care of over an extended interval than the Sorento.
CarExpert’s Choose
Should you’re in search of a big SUV that may carry greater than 5, then there is just one possibility right here and that’s the Sorento.
However if you need a spacious household wagon with a real sense of luxurious and the newest in conveniences, which is reasonably priced to purchase and personal, then the Jaecoo J8 actually provides extra for much less on this comparability.
