Jaecoo J8 vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

What's the difference?

The Jaecoo J8 is an odd car.

It’s hard to place exactly where it sits in the market. It’s premium, but very affordable. It's very big but only has five seats. And it’s petrol only, at least for now, in a world that is obsessed with hybrid or electric power.

You’ve probably never heard of Jaecoo. That’s alright it’s only new, but it’s a fresh Chinese brand with big ambitions. A more accurate description is it’s Chery’s premium sub-brand.

And the J8 is its new flagship SUV that has found a little niche that's been left in Australia’s overflowing SUV segment.

It’s about the same size as the Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe family SUVs, but the J8 is five seats only and ditches the third row for a big boot.

The interior wouldn’t look out of place if it had a three-pointed star on the bonnet but the price tag will have you thinking you can buy two for the price of one.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GSR is the top-spec wagon in an updated line-up.

The next-gen performance-enhanced Pajero Sport is expected here in 2025 but, in the meantime, Mitsubishi looks determined to squeeze the last bit of sales juice out of the current line-up as the entire range has now undergone a notable refresh including the introduction of 18-inch alloys, design tweaks to the front and rear, as well as new styling inside and new exterior paint choices.

Is this upgraded Pajero Sport a noteworthy rival for the likes of the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X and, more importantly, does it represent a solid buy? 

Read on.