Jaecoo J8 vs smart #5
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
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.
Data checked: specs 1 Oct 2026, price 4 Jul 2026
Jaecoo J8: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h, turning circle and energy consumption.
smart #5: not on sale yet, so smart hasn't published transmission.
Blank cells below mean 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 & smart #5
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 smart #5 opens at $58,900. That makes the smart #5 the more affordable entry point by $1,090.
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 $64,790 respectively.
The smart #5 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Jaecoo J8 does not: plug-in hybrids lost the fbt exemption on 1 april 2025.
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.
How long to charge
94kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 400kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 400kW 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 smart #5 gets a 13-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Jaecoo J8 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, ventilated seats and Sony audio — features our data doesn't list for the smart #5. The smart #5 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 smart #5 offers man-made leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Jaecoo J8 and 2-zone in the smart #5.
Drivetrain
The Jaecoo J8 uses a Plug-in Hybrid producing 315kW and 580Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout.
The smart #5 counters with its electric setup making 267kW and 373Nm, paired to its gearbox driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds.
The Jaecoo J8 has the clear power advantage at 315kW vs 267kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 34.4kWh (Jaecoo J8) vs 100kWh (smart #5), giving WLTP ranges of 134km and 590km. DC fast charging peaks at 70kW (Jaecoo J8) vs 400kW (smart #5).
Space & Comfort
The Jaecoo J8 measures 4,820mm long on a 2,820mm wheelbase, 125mm longer than the smart #5 at 4,695mm (2,900mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the smart #5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 200L in the Jaecoo J8 and 630L in the smart #5, giving the smart #5 a 430L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 738L vs 1530L. The Jaecoo J8 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the smart #5 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 0kg 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
1.9 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
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 8 years / 999,999km (Jaecoo J8) vs 5 years (smart #5). The Jaecoo J8 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Jaecoo J8 if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Jaecoo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the smart #5 if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer smart's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Jaecoo J8: Top CarSorted Score, 77 vs 65
The Jaecoo J8 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (77 vs 65), taking 2 of 7 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Jaecoo J8 ahead by 28), technology (Jaecoo J8 ahead by 17), value (Jaecoo J8 ahead by 16). If boot space matters, the smart #5 has a clear edge. The Jaecoo J8 adds peace of mind with a longer 8-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Jaecoo J8 and smart #5?
The smart #5 is the cheapest at $58,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Jaecoo J8 by $1,090.
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 smart #5 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 smart #5 has the largest boot at 630L with the seats up (1,530L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Jaecoo J8 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Jaecoo J8 has the longest warranty at 8 years / Unlimited.
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!
