Jaecoo J8 vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Jaecoo J8
From $59,990
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid
315kW
1.2 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
200L
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
From $58,440
SUV
Diesel
Diesel
133kW
8 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
131L
Jaecoo J8: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h, turning circle and energy consumption.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the Jaecoo J8 & Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Jaecoo J8 starts from $59,990 before on-road costs, while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport opens at $58,440. That makes the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport the more affordable entry point by $1,550.
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 $65,989 and $64,284 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Jaecoo J8 by roughly $11,110 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
34.4kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 70kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 70kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Jaecoo J8 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Jaecoo J8 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, V2L, Sony audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Jaecoo J8 gets leather-appointed upholstery while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport offers leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Jaecoo J8 and 2-zone in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
Drivetrain
The Jaecoo J8 uses a Plug-in Hybrid producing 315kW and 580Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport responds with a Diesel making 133kW and 430Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.5 seconds.
The Jaecoo J8 has the clear power advantage at 315kW vs 133kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Jaecoo J8 measures 4,820mm long on a 2,820mm wheelbase, 20mm shorter than the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport at 4,840mm (2,800mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Jaecoo J8 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 200L in the Jaecoo J8 and 131L in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, giving the Jaecoo J8 a 69L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 738L vs 1500L.
For towing, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport leads with a 3,100kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 1,500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m diameter
Average
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.7 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $58/year for the Jaecoo J8 and $2,280/year for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. That is a $2,222 annual difference in favour of the Jaecoo J8.
Warranty: 8 years / 999,999km (Jaecoo J8) vs 10 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi Pajero Sport). The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Jaecoo J8 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Jaecoo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Mitsubishi's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Jaecoo J8 and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Jaecoo J8 will save you roughly $2,222 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Jaecoo J8 has a clear edge. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Jaecoo J8 and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is the cheapest at $58,440 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Jaecoo J8 by $1,550.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Jaecoo J8 uses the least fuel at 1.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Jaecoo J8 and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Jaecoo J8 has the largest boot at 200L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,100kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the longest warranty at 10 years / 200k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Jaecoo J8 makes the most power at 315kW.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
