VS
At a Glance
Power
130 kW
145 kW
Torque
270 Nm
290 Nm
Fuel
6.4 l/100km
7.8 l/100km
Engine
1497 cc
1598 cc
Choosing between the GAC Emkoo and the Jaecoo J7 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The GAC Emkoo delivers 130 kW while the Jaecoo J7 produces 145 kW. On fuel, the Emkoo returns 6.4 l/100km while the J7 uses 7.8 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R559 900 for the Emkoo and R679 900 for the J7. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
130 kW
145 kW
Torque
270 Nm
290 Nm
Top Speed
190 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1497 cc
1598 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
7
7
Drive Wheels
front
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.4 l/100km
7.8 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
55 l
57 l
CO2 Emissions
147 g/km
181 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4680 mm
4500 mm
Width
1901 mm
1865 mm
Height
1670 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2750 mm
2672 mm
Ground Clearance
160 mm
200 mm
Kerb Weight
1540 Kg
1709 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
420 l
500-1256 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
—
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
8
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5 vehicle / lifetime engine for 1st owne
5 vehicle / 10 engine for 1st owner
Warranty Distance
150000 vehicle / lifetime engine for 1st
150000 vehicle / 1000000 engine for 1st
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
5
5
Service Plan Distance
100000
70000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
GAC Emkoo
2 / 4 categories
Performance
J7
Fuel Economy
Emkoo
Value
Emkoo
Practicality
Tied
Pros & Cons
GAC Emkoo
Better fuel economy (6.4 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R559 900)
Less power than rival (130 kW vs 145 kW)
Jaecoo J7
More powerful engine (145 kW)
Higher fuel consumption (7.8 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Emkoo or J7?
The Emkoo uses 6.4 l/100km and the J7 uses 7.8 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Emkoo is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Emkoo or J7?
The Emkoo produces 130 kW and 270 Nm of torque while the J7 delivers 145 kW and 290 Nm of torque. The J7 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Emkoo and J7?
The Emkoo starts from R559 900 and the J7 from R679 900. The Emkoo is cheaper by R120 000 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Should I buy the Emkoo or the J7?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.