Verdict
At RM328,800, the GAC M8 costs RM219,200 less than the RM548,000 Toyota Alphard and brings a 25.57-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery, 106 km EV range and 40 kW DC charging. That is serious daily-use appeal if charging is part of your routine. The Alphard counters with a 274 hp, 430 Nm 2.4-litre turbo engine, 510-litre boot and 75-litre tank, against the M8's 187 hp, 300 Nm engine, 280-litre boot and 56 litres. For Malaysian family duties, the M8 is the rational buy; the Alphard makes sense for its stronger engine and much larger luggage space.
M8
Pick the GAC M8 if you want 106 km of electric driving, a longer 3,070 mm wheelbase and RM219,200 left in your pocket.
Alphard
Pick the Toyota Alphard if you need the 510-litre boot, 274 hp and 430 Nm turbocharged petrol performance.
Key differences
- Price: GAC M8 RM328,800; Toyota Alphard RM548,000.
- Power and torque: GAC M8 187 hp and 300 Nm; Toyota Alphard 274 hp and 430 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: GAC M8 5,212 mm and 3,070 mm; Toyota Alphard 5,010 mm and 3,000 mm.
- Boot space and fuel tank: GAC M8 280 litres and 56 litres; Toyota Alphard 510 litres and 75 litres.
- Weight and wheels: GAC M8 2,420 kg on 18-inch alloys; Toyota Alphard 2,235 kg on 19-inch alloys.
- Electrified drive: GAC M8 has a 25.57-kWh battery and 106 km EV range; Toyota Alphard has no battery or EV range.
M8
- 106 km EV range from a 25.57-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery.
- RM219,200 cheaper while retaining seven seats and power sliding doors.
- Seven airbags and a 3,070 mm wheelbase.
- 280-litre boot is 230 litres smaller than the Alphard's.
- Rear air-conditioning is via vents rather than dual-zone automatic climate control.
- At 2,420 kg, it is 185 kg heavier than the Alphard.
Alphard
- 274 hp and 430 Nm from its 2.4-litre turbo engine.
- 510-litre boot and 75-litre fuel tank suit long family trips.
- Middle-row ottoman captain's chairs, dual-zone rear air-conditioning and a head-up display.
- Costs RM219,200 more than the M8.
- No EV range or plug-in charging capability.
- Its 3,000 mm wheelbase is 70 mm shorter than the M8's.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM328,800✓ | RM548,000 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM754 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharger and Intercooler with Dual VVT-i |
| Capacity | — | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 274 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 430 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 87.5 mm × 99.5 mm |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 179 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 25.57 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 106 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-DHT | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic with Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,212 mm | 5,010 mm |
| Width | 1,893 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,823 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | 2,420 kg | 2,235 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Michelin Primacy SUV+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory, Passenger Side Shoulder Switch |
| Rear Seats | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row | Ottoman Captain's Chairs Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding, 60:40 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof, Rear |
| Power Sockets | — | 2 Front, 1 Console Box, 2 First Row, 2 Second Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades | Powered Rear Sun Shades, Powered Panoramic Roof Shades |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 15-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Steering Assist and Curve Speed Reduction |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Doors | Power sliding with soft close function |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 150,000 km Warranty (Battery) | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used M8 & Alphard for sale
M8 vs Alphard FAQ
Is the GAC M8 or Toyota Alphard better?
The GAC M8 is better value for buyers who can charge and use its 106 km EV range. The Toyota Alphard is better for stronger 274 hp and 430 Nm performance, a 510-litre boot and rear-cabin equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Alphard costs RM219,200 more than the GAC M8: RM548,000 versus RM328,800.
Can the GAC M8 drive on electric power alone?
Yes. The GAC M8 is a plug-in hybrid with a 25.57-kWh battery, one 179 hp electric motor and a stated 106 km EV range. It supports 6.6 kW AC and 40 kW DC charging.
