Jaecoo J8 takes on Off-Road obstacles with confidence and comfort

KUALA LUMPUR: Let’s be clear from the start — the Jaecoo J8 isn’t pretending to be a hardcore off-road bruiser like a ladder-frame pickup or a traditional body-on-frame SUV.

There’s no low-range gearbox or solid axles here. But what it does have, is enough clever hardware and software to get itself out of tricky situations. And that’s no accident.

Also Read: Jaecoo J8 launched in Malaysia – From RM178,800, up to 6 seats and AWD

Off-roading, after all, runs in Jaecoo’s blood. As part of Chery’s collaboration with Land Rover years ago — assembling Range Rovers in China under CJLR (Chery Jaguar Land Rover) — Jaecoo inherited some of that terrain-conquering DNA, particularly in areas like all-wheel drive logic and terrain response tech.

And now, it’s showing Malaysians what that actually means.

To prove the point, Omoda Jaecoo Malaysia recently hosted a special “J8 Adventures” experience at Bay 13 in Sepang, putting invited media through a curated set of obstacles designed to highlight the Jaecoo J8 AWD’s real-world off-road capability.

No frills, no theoretical PowerPoint — just the J8, dirt, and a few white-knuckle moments.

Wading Through Water

The first challenge? A simulated water wading trench. With a ground clearance of 139 mm and a water wading depth of up to 450 mm, the Jaecoo J8 AWD doesn’t pretend to be an amphibious rig, but it’s certainly equipped to handle flash floods, deep puddles, or a submerged jalan kampung. The J8 crept through confidently, without so much as a splash breaching the cabin. Steady throttle input and balanced suspension articulation helped it maintain grip — even on the Michelin e-Primacy tyres typically better suited to tarmac than terrain.

It’s not made for river crossings, but in real-world Malaysian conditions? It’s absolutely ready.

Hill Descent Control in Action

Next up was a steep decline, designed to put the Hill Descent Control (HDC) system to the test. And trust us — this is where many SUVs and drivers (including me) falter. But the J8’s system kicked in with confidence, automatically controlling speed without any input on the brakes.

On loose gravel and a noticeable slope, the car never felt like it was about to slide or free-roll out of control. With your foot off the pedals, it simply walked itself down, with the software keeping things calm. It’s especially reassuring for new drivers (even experienced ones) or those unaccustomed to uneven downhill trails.

Torque Vectoring & Traction Test

Perhaps the most technical section was the axle articulation course — designed to make one or two wheels lift off the ground and test traction delivery. Here, the AWD system with twin-clutch torque vectoring came alive. The J8’s ability to send up to 100% of the available torque to individual rear wheel with grip was apparent.

You’d swear all four wheels were still planted on the surface — despite having the rear-left or front-right momentarily in the air. The car found grip and moved forward without a hitch.

There was no dramatic wheelspin, just smart, deliberate traction control at work. This is where the Off-Road, Mud, and Sand modes also tailor throttle and gearbox behaviour, adapting the powertrain to maximise grip.

The Side Slope: 30 Degrees of Trust

Arguably the most unnerving was the 30° side slope challenge. Now, Jaecoo claims a side slope capability of up to 40°, but even 30° feels like you’re about to tip over. Yet the J8 remained planted. The vehicle’s low centre of gravity, AWD system, and torque vectoring stability helped maintain composure while drivers and passengers tilted uncomfortably toward the ground to the right.

It’s the sort of scenario where even experienced drivers start questioning physics. But the J8 handled it with calm assurance — a clear message to potential owners: even when it feels sketchy, the J8 has your back.

The Climb

Finally, a short but steep incline, testing traction on the way up. In Off-Road mode, the J8’s throttle response sharpened, the AWD system distributed power predictively, and up it went without hesitation.

Here, the 245 hp and 385 Nm of torque from the 2.0L TGDI turbocharged engine, paired with the 8-speed automatic, helped the car pull itself up with minimal wheel slip.

Rock Crawling

One of the more undramatic challenges during the course was the rock crawling obstacle—typically designed to test and showcase a vehicle’s low-speed off-road capability, especially in areas like traction management, articulation, and control. 

Because the surface was dry on the day, we didn’t get to fully experience the J8’s traction control systems in action here. But what it did prove was just as telling: the Jaecoo J8 had enough ground clearance to clear the uneven rocks, and its CDC adaptive suspension did a stellar job ironing out the roughness. 

From the outside, you could see the vehicle bobbing and bouncing over the jagged terrain—but inside, it was a different story altogether. The ride felt composed, smooth even, with barely any jostling in the cabin. No drama, no fuss—just a calm, confident crawl straight to the end.

What made the overall experience even more surreal was that the Jaecoo J8 was doing all of this while rear passengers were lounging in powered captain’s chairs — complete with ventilation and even massage functions. It's not something you expect during an off-road exercise. 

Normally, you'd be strapped into a firm bench seat, bracing for every bump. But in the J8, the second-row passengers were cocooned in comfort, watching the outside drama unfold in plush Nappa leather seats.

It genuinely reframed what off-roading could feel like — less bouncing around in the back, more first-class cabin heading up a hill.

So what’s the takeaway? No, the Jaecoo J8 isn’t a rock-crawling, jungle-bashing trail rig — but it’s not trying to be. What it is, is a modern AWD urban SUV with enough clever tech to confidently handle light to moderate off-road duties, whether it’s a muddy campsite, an overgrown gravel trail, or just one of Malaysia’s many badly paved backroads.

If you ever find yourself facing a steep slope, a washed-out road, or a slippery climb, the Jaecoo J8 doesn’t just get you through — it does so with the kind of poise and control you’d expect from something wearing a Land Rover badge that cost upwards of RM400k.

But here’s the twist: the J8 AWD costs just RM198,800. And while most vehicles with individual rear seats and plush features like massage and ventilation come in the form of a van, the J8 delivers all that in a rugged, stylish SUV body — with actual off-road tools to back it up.

So it begs the question on why settle for a van just to get individual seats, when the J8 gives you first-class comfort and terrain-conquering confidence in one sleek package?

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