Jaecoo J8 vs Subaru Solterra
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 20 Sep 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
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.
$59,990RRP
- with the Subaru Solterra's standard kit: $59,990 (nothing to add)
$61,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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 & Subaru Solterra
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Price Breakdown
The Jaecoo J8 starts from $59,990 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Solterra opens at $61,990. That makes the Jaecoo J8 the more affordable entry point by $2,000.
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 $68,189 respectively.
The Subaru Solterra 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.
Recalls on our record
Jaecoo J8
None open on our record
Subaru Solterra
- REC-006641 · published 30 Jun 2026Due to a software issue with the high-voltage battery Electronic Control Unit, the electric drive system may shut down.Year range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
- REC-006432 · published 12 Sep 2025Due to the programming of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) control ECU software.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2025
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
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
74.7kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 150kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 150kW 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 Subaru Solterra gets a 14-inch display and 7-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, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, Sony audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Solterra. The Subaru Solterra 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 Subaru Solterra offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Jaecoo J8 and 2-zone in the Subaru Solterra.
Drivetrain
The Jaecoo J8 uses a Plug-in Hybrid producing 315kW and 580Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout.
The Subaru Solterra responds with a Electric Motor making 252kW and 437Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels.
The Jaecoo J8 has the clear power advantage at 315kW vs 252kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 34.4kWh (Jaecoo J8) vs 74.7kWh (Subaru Solterra), giving WLTP ranges of 134km and 517km. DC fast charging peaks at 70kW (Jaecoo J8) vs 150kW (Subaru Solterra).
Space & Comfort
The Jaecoo J8 measures 4,820mm long on a 2,820mm wheelbase, 130mm longer than the Subaru Solterra at 4,690mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Solterra generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 200L in the Jaecoo J8 and 421L in the Subaru Solterra, giving the Subaru Solterra a 221L advantage. The Jaecoo J8 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Jaecoo J8 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 100kg 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 / 999,999km (Subaru Solterra). The Jaecoo J8 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Jaecoo J8 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Jaecoo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru Solterra if: You need more boot space, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (79 vs 79). The Jaecoo J8 and Subaru Solterra trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. If boot space matters, the Subaru Solterra 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.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Jaecoo J8 and Subaru Solterra?
The Jaecoo J8 is the cheapest at $59,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru Solterra by $2,000.
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?
Subaru Solterra holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Jaecoo J8, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru Solterra has the largest boot at 421L with the seats up.
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.
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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
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