Sehol X8 PLUS

Model Overview

The Sehol X8 PLUS is a mid-size SUV from the Sehol brand under JAC Group. The SUV made its official debut and commenced pre-sales at the Chengdu Motor Show on 26 August 2022, before its official launch on 20 November 2022. A total of five variants were introduced, with official pricing ranging between RM99,800 and RM139,800. On 28 April 2023, five-seater variants were added to the lineup across five trim levels, revising the overall price range to RM96,800–RM136,800. Pitched as a "smart and aesthetic family cabin", the model is targeted at multi-generational families, offering five-, six- (2+2+2), and seven-seater (2+3+2) layouts. Its main rivals include D-segment mid-size SUVs such as the Jetour X70 PLUS.

Design Language

The Sehol X8 PLUS is sculpted around a "Boundless Aesthetics" design philosophy. Up front, it sports an expansive borderless front grille featuring a horizontal dot-matrix pattern, seamlessly integrating with the headlamp clusters on both flanks. These are tied together by full-width LED daytime running lights (housing 118 LED diodes) spanning across the top, visually broadening the front profile. The overall styling departs distinctly from the standard Sehol X8, delivering a bold and striking front fascia. Along the sides, it features a pronounced shoulder line and high waistline, complemented by black wheel arch claddings. The rear gets a sharp, sculpted treatment with full-width "Boundless Light and Shadow" LED taillights, offering high visual distinctiveness at night. In terms of dimensions, the SUV measures 4,825 mm long, 1,870 mm wide, and 1,758 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,830 mm. It rides on 19-inch Y-spoke dual-tone alloy wheels and comes equipped with a 62-inch panoramic glass sunroof.

Inside, the cabin embraces geometric character lines and faceted styling cues, echoing the exterior's "Boundless Aesthetics" theme. It features a wraparound cockpit layout extensively trimmed in soft-touch materials, available in two dual-tone colour schemes: Mystic Brown/Black and Tech Blue/Light Grey. The dashboard is headlined by a dual-screen setup comprising a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display. Gear selection is handled by a jewel-cut rotary electronic gear selector. A 64-colour ambient lighting system is fitted across the interior.

Powertrain & Performance

Under the bonnet, the entire Sehol X8 PLUS range is powered by a HFC4GC1.6E 1.5-litre TGDI four-cylinder turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine. This mill produces a maximum output of 135 kW (184 hp) and 300 Nm of peak torque. Transmission options include a six-speed manual and a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (7DCT). The 7DCT boasts a comprehensive transmission efficiency of 94.7%, peaking at up to 96%. Drive is sent exclusively to the front wheels (FWD). The vehicle has a top speed of 160 km/h and a WLTC-rated combined fuel consumption of 7.9 L/100 km, running on minimum RON 92 petrol. Four selectable drive modes are available: Sport, Eco, Standard, and Snow.

Chassis & Handling

Underneath, the Sehol X8 PLUS employs MacPherson independent suspension at the front and a torsion beam non-independent setup at the rear. Chassis tuning was jointly developed with ride and handling specialists from UK-based HORIBA MIRA and Magna, specifically calibrated to deliver superior bump absorption and ride comfort for family travel. It features Electric Power Steering (EPS), while braking duties are managed by Bosch's latest ESP 9.3 system. Multiple tyre sizes are available depending on the variant. Detailed specifications such as minimum ground clearance have not been officially disclosed.

Cockpit & Features

On the tech front, the Sehol X8 PLUS is equipped with a dual 12.3-inch HD screen interface running the proprietary HOL-OS infotainment system. It incorporates the latest-generation iFLYTEK intelligent voice assistant, supporting up to 60 seconds of continuous dialogue, wake-word-free commands, contextual understanding, sound source localisation, and natural human-like voice interactions. The system also supports AutoNavi navigation, telematics (IoV), OTA software updates, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and smartphone app remote control. Hardware is backed by a Huawei millimetre-wave radar and a Horizon Robotics Journey 2 (J2) vision chip delivering 4 TOPS of computing power. Audio is piped through a proprietary HOL-Music sound system packing 12 high-fidelity speakers with 5.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos surround sound support.

In terms of practicality and comfort, the cabin provides up to 26 dedicated storage compartments. The second-row seats are engineered with optimised lumbar and back support alongside extended sliding travel. The third-row seats feature generous cushion height and depth, supported by dedicated rear air conditioning vents and quarter-light windows for improved passenger illumination. Both the second and third rows can be folded completely flat, expanding boot capacity to a massive 2,153 litres. The vehicle is also fitted with a smart fresh-air filtration system, a negative ion air purifier, and eco-friendly cabin materials such as solvent-free E-PU synthetic leather and low-VOC interior trim.

Safety & Driver Assistance

Structural safety is anchored by a high-strength steel cage-type body shell. The SUV is equipped with Bosch's ESP 9.3 electronic stability system and comes standard with Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) hazard flasher activation. Passive safety equipment includes front airbags, front side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags as standard. Active safety systems encompass Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA/BAS), and Traction Control System (ASR/TCS).

For advanced driver assistance (ADAS), the Sehol X8 PLUS features the HOL-Pilot suite. Key functions include Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Integrated Cruise Assist (ICA), and Speed Limit Assist (SLA). The ACC system supports Stop & Go functionality across urban and highway driving environments, operating in tandem with lane keeping during cruising. Driver convenience is further bolstered by a 360-degree surround-view camera system, an integrated dashcam recorder, and front/rear parking sensors.

Market Performance & Reception

The Sehol X8 PLUS has charted a distinctive market trajectory characterised by sluggish domestic reception offset by robust overseas demand. In China, full-year sales reached 30,181 units in 2023, before dropping steeply in 2024, with only 8 units recorded in April and zero retail registrations logged in December 2024; domestic sales remained subdued into 2025. Conversely, export volume surged in 2025 with 69,000 units shipped overseas, establishing the model as the key growth driver for JAC's international passenger car business.

In terms of market feedback, the Sehol X8 PLUS has drawn praise for its generous cabin dimensions enabled by a 4,825 mm length and 2,830 mm wheelbase, versatile 6- and 7-seater configurations, and tailored third-row passenger comfort. The 12-speaker HOL-Music system with 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos and the HOL-Pilot ADAS suite have also served as standout selling points. Market analysts note that while the Sehol brand previously leveraged its "JAC-Volkswagen" joint-venture lineage, Volkswagen's subsequent exit softened brand equity and consumer recognition in China. Overall, the Sehol X8 PLUS carved out a distinct competitive edge in the RM90,000–RM140,000 mid-size SUV segment through its "Boundless" styling, potent 1.5T engine (184 hp/300 Nm), dual 12.3-inch connected cockpit, 12-speaker audio system, and Level 2 ADAS capabilities. However, weighed down by declining domestic brand recall, stiff local competition, and lifecycle progression, its sales重心 has effectively pivoted towards global export markets.