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.
Jaecoo J8
From $59,990
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid
315kW
1.2 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
200L
Subaru Solterra
From $61,990
SUV
Electric
Electric Motor
252kW
—
5★ ANCAP
421L
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.
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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.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
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
71.4kWh 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 (11kW 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, wireless charging, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, Sony audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on 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. It gets to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds.
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
This is genuinely close. 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.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Subaru Solterra all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru Solterra has the largest boot at 421L.
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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