Jaecoo J8 vs KGM Rexton

The Jaecoo J8 starts from $49,990 before on-road costs, while the KGM Rexton opens at $50,000. That makes the Jaecoo J8 the more affordable entry point by $10.

Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $54,989 and $55,000 respectively.

Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.

Both the Jaecoo J8 and KGM Rexton hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Jaecoo J8 packs more ADAS features with 9 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 6 in the KGM Rexton.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the Jaecoo J8 and 6 in the KGM Rexton. The Jaecoo J8 adds a 360-degree camera that the KGM Rexton misses.

The Jaecoo J8 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the KGM Rexton gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Jaecoo J8 stands out with head-up display and wireless charging that you will not find on the KGM Rexton. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

The Jaecoo J8 lines up producing 165kW and 380Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.

The KGM Rexton responds with a Turbo DDi Diesel making 149kW and 441Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.5 seconds.

The Jaecoo J8 has the clear power advantage at 165kW vs 149kW. In the real-world sprint, the Jaecoo J8 is 3.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

The Jaecoo J8 measures 4,820mm long on a 2,820mm wheelbase, 30mm shorter than the KGM Rexton at 4,850mm (2,865mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the KGM Rexton generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 520L in the Jaecoo J8 and 236L in the KGM Rexton, giving the Jaecoo J8 a 284L advantage. The KGM Rexton seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the KGM Rexton leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,622/year for the Jaecoo J8 and $2,480/year for the KGM Rexton. That is a $142 annual difference in favour of the KGM Rexton.

Estimated annual total: $2,622 (Jaecoo J8) vs $2,480 (KGM Rexton). The KGM Rexton saves you roughly $142 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.

Warranty: 8 years (Jaecoo J8) vs 7 years (KGM Rexton). The Jaecoo J8 has longer coverage.