Jaecoo J8 Ridge AWD vs Kia Sorento Sport: Spec battle

There are plenty of different reasons to buy a full-size SUV these days.

Some are built for proper four-wheel driving to handle the rugged outback or towing a caravan around the country, while others are simply designed to navigate the urban jungle with enough room for large families.

And then there’s the ever-growing breed of luxury soft-roaders that are essentially high-riding limousines.

There is something for everyone, and (almost) every budget.

And one of the newest arrivals in this segment is the Jaecoo J8, a full-size, five-seat soft-roader that offers a taste of the champagne lifestyle without an opulent price tag.

So let’s see how it stacks up on paper against one of the best all-rounders and most model popular in its class, the Kia Sorento.

How much?

The Jaecoo J8 is available in just two model grades – the entry-level Track and the flagship Ridge – that are largely defined by their drivetrain; the Track being front-wheel drive while the Ridge being all-wheel drive.

Other than a few added luxuries and a unique suspension system for the Ridge, they mostly share the same level of equipment (which we’ll get stuck into below).

Kia, on the other hand, offers 11 different variants of the Sorento and the option of petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The petrol and diesel models can be had in four trim levels – S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line – with prices starting 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 commands a $3000 premium across the range and brings all-wheel drive.

The hybrid Sorento HEV and plug-in Sorento PHEV are exclusively restricted to the top-of-the-line GT-Line trim. The hybrid can be had in either front-wheel drive ($70,330 plus on-roads) or all-wheel drive ($73,330 plus on-roads) configurations, while the PHEV is AWD-only and costs $84,660 plus on-roads.

For the remainder of this comparison, we will pit the range-topping Jaecoo J8 Ridge against the entry-level Kia Sorento Sport diesel, which line up closest on price, costing $54,990 drive-away and $56,500 plus on-roads respectively.

What do you get?

Both of these large SUVs come equipped with the essentials in terms of comfort and digital conveniences, but the Kia misses out on a lot of gear compared to the Jaecoo.

They share the following features:

• Power adjustable driver’s seat
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Keyless entry with push-button start
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment
• Embedded sat-nav
• DAB+ digital radio
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents

The Sorento rides on 18-inch wheels and gets cloth trim, but the Jaecoo J8 comes with so much more and lines up closer to the Kia’s range-topping GT-Line trim.

Its extras include larger 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, quilted leather trim, front seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions, dual-zone climate control with a fragrance dispenser, sunroof, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display, ambient interior lighting, and a 12-speaker Sony audio system.

Are they safe?

While the Sorento is short on creature comforts, the South Korean automaker doesn’t scrimp on safety and all variants come equipped with a comprehensive array of advanced crash-avoidance systems and driver aids, including:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection
• Lane keeping assistance
• Blind spot avoidance assist
• Driver attention alert
• Speed-limit assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reverse parking display
• Automated headlights
• Automated high-beam
• Safe exit warning
• 9 airbags, including a front centre airbag

As such, the Kia Sorento scores a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2020, when the current model was first released.

The Jaecoo J8 has yet to be tested by ANCAP, but has all the key elements required to match the Sorento’s maximum safety rating – even under today’s stricter protocols – with additional features such as rear cross traffic alert, automated parking, a 360-degree parking display, and a driver’s knee airbag.

What are they like inside?

Okay, so here’s where things deviate, as the Jaecoo J8 only has seating for five, whereas the Sorento has three rows, making it capable of carrying up to seven.

And that may eliminate the J8 from the shopping lists of many large Aussie families.

However, if you’re scouring through the top-end of the mid-size SUV segment and want something with even more space – and a genuine sense of luxury – then the Jaecoo delivers where it counts.

The cabin is big and roomy with generous headroom – even with the sunroof – and plenty of leg and knee room for those seated in the second row, who are also treated to rear air vents in the back of the centre console as well as the B-pillars.

The (real) leather trim is sumptuous and the front seats are super comfortable – the passenger even has an extendable leg rest like an airliner’s business class seat – and the massage function is among the best in the business.

The twin digital screens have simple graphics with a logical menu structure to the infotainment system, and the audio system is crisp and clear. Interestingly, the driver’s seat has in-built speakers in the head restraint that you can choose to use for phone calls or navigation instructions.

As for boot space, the Jaecoo J8 has a claimed capacity of 738 litres – which is huge – when the split/folding rear bench is in use, and can expand to 2021L when it’s folded flat. And it comes with a full-size spare tyre, which is a rarity these days.

In contrast, the Kia is more obviously an entry variant with its cloth trim, but it still has plenty going for it with excellent build quality, an interesting overall design to dashboard, and plenty of thoughtful storage spaces.

Like the Jaecoo, the cabin is spacious, the front seats are comfortable, there’s excellent vision with a commanding view from the driver’s seat, and middle-row occupants have plenty of legroom and are treated to air vents.

Access to the third row is easy, with a one-touch flip-and-slide function for the middle-row seats, which creates a decent-sized aperture to climb into the very back.

However, even though the middle row can slide forwards and backwards, those two rearmost seats are best suited to small kids.

With the third row in place, boot space is restricted to just 179L and, even in its five-seat configuration, the Kia’s 608L capacity is no match for the Jaecoo. But it does also come with a full-size spare.

What’s under the bonnet?

Both of these vehicles are powered by turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines that drive all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

But that’s where the similarities end.

The Jaecoo has a 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 183kW of power and 385Nm of torque, and has a conventional torque converter auto, while the Kia has a larger-capacity 2.2-litre turbo-diesel that generates less power (148kW) but more torque (440Nm), and drives through a dual-clutch automatic with wet clutches.

Both have their strengths and weaknesses. The Kia is more effortless to drive thanks to its higher torque outputs being served up from just 1750rpm, and uses significantly less fuel with a claimed average of 6.0L/100km. which is remarkable for a non-electrified car of this size.

The Sorento also has the ability to tow a small caravan or decent-sized trailer too, which might be useful for adventurous families.

Jaecoo doesn’t quote a towing capacity for the J8, but the engine and gearbox feel smoother, more refined and quieter.

Cost of ownership

Kia set a new benchmark for aftersales provisions when it became the first auto brand in Australia to offer a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty more than a decade ago, which still applies today.

But rival brands have caught up and even exceeded it, with Omoda Jaecoo covering the J8 with a longer eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Both vehicles also come with free roadside assistance for the first 12 months, which is extended each year when the vehicle is serviced within the authorised dealer network, and capped-price service schemes for the duration of the warranty.

They also match each other with service intervals at 12 months or 15,000km, but the Jaecoo is cheaper to maintain over a longer period than the Sorento.

CarExpert’s Pick

If you’re looking for a large SUV that can carry more than five, then there is only one option here and that’s the Sorento.

But if you want a spacious family wagon with a genuine sense of luxury and the latest in conveniences, which is affordable to buy and own, then the Jaecoo J8 certainly offers more for less in this comparison.

MORE: Explore the Jaecoo J8 showroom

MORE: Explore the Kia Sorento showroom