There are many totally 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 giant households.
After which there’s the ever-growing breed of luxurious soft-roaders which might be primarily high-riding limousines.
There’s something for everybody, and (virtually) each funds.
And one of many latest arrivals on this section is the Jaecoo J8, a full-size, five-seat soft-roader that gives a style of the champagne way of life with out an opulent price ticket.
So let’s see the way it stacks up on paper in opposition to probably the greatest all-rounders and most mannequin in style in its class, the Kia Sorento.
How a lot?
The Jaecoo J8 is obtainable 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.
Aside from a number of added luxuries and a singular suspension system for the Ridge, they largely share the identical stage of apparatus (which we’ll get caught into beneath).
| Jaecoo J8 | Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|
| Observe | $49,990 |
| Ridge | $54,990 |
Kia, however, presents 11 totally 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 completely 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’ll pit the range-topping Jaecoo J8 Ridge in opposition to the entry-level Kia Sorento Sport diesel, which line up closest on value, costing $54,990 drive-away and $56,500 plus on-roads respectively.
What do you get?
Each of those giant SUVs come geared up with the necessities when it comes to consolation and digital conveniences, however the Kia misses out on a variety 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 fabric trim, however the Jaecoo J8 comes with a lot extra and features up nearer to the Kia’s range-topping GT-Line trim.
Its extras embrace bigger 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, quilted leather-based trim, entrance seats with heating, air flow and therapeutic massage capabilities, 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 secure?
Whereas the Sorento is brief on creature comforts, the South Korean automaker doesn’t scrimp on security and all variants come geared up 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 preserving 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 at the moment’s stricter protocols – with further options resembling rear cross 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 purchasing lists of many giant Aussie households.
Nevertheless, should you’re scouring by way of the top-end of the mid-size SUV section and wish one thing with much more area – and a real sense of luxurious – then the Jaecoo delivers the place it counts.
The cabin is large 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 behind 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 greatest 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 driving force’s seat has in-built audio system within the head restraint which you could select to make use of for telephone calls or navigation directions.
As for boot area, the Jaecoo J8 has a claimed capability of 738 litres – which is big – when the break up/folding rear bench is in use, and might develop 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 fabric trim, however it nonetheless has lots going for it with wonderful construct high quality, an fascinating 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 driving force’s seat, and middle-row occupants have loads of legroom and are handled to air vents.
Entry to the third row is straightforward, 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, despite the fact that the center row can slide forwards and backwards, these two rearmost seats are greatest suited to small children.
With the third row in place, boot area is restricted to simply 179L and, even in its five-seat configuration, the Kia’s 608L capability isn’t any match for the Jaecoo. Nevertheless it 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 way of an eight-speed computerized 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 traditional 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 way of a dual-clutch computerized with moist clutches.
Each have their strengths and weaknesses. The Kia is extra easy to drive because of its larger torque outputs being served up from simply 1750rpm, and makes use of considerably much less gas with a claimed common of 6.0L/100km. which is outstanding for a non-electrified automobile of this dimension.
| 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 computerized | Eight-speed dual-clutch computerized |
| Drive sort | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1890kg | 1974kg |
| Gas financial system (claimed) | 8.6L/100km | 6.0L/100km |
| Gas tank capability | 65L | 67L |
| Gas requirement | 95-octane premium unleaded | Diesel |
| Braked tow capability | NA | 750kg (unbraked) / 2000kg (braked) |
The Sorento additionally has the power to tow a small caravan or decent-sized trailer too, which may 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 grew to become the primary auto model in Australia to supply a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee greater than a decade in the past, which nonetheless applies at the moment.
However rival manufacturers have caught up and even exceeded it, with Omoda Jaecoo overlaying 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 value | $3452 | $3795 |
Each autos additionally include free roadside help for the primary 12 months, which is prolonged every year when the car is serviced throughout the authorised vendor community, and capped-price service schemes throughout the guarantee.
Additionally they match one another with service intervals at 12 months or 15,000km, however the Jaecoo is cheaper to keep up over an extended interval than the Sorento.
CarExpert’s Decide
For those who’re on the lookout for 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’d like 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 definitely presents extra for much less on this comparability.
