Verdict
At RM328,800, the GAC M8 is the family-first choice: seven seats, a 3,070 mm wheelbase and a 25.57-kWh battery with 106 km of EV range give it a very different brief from the Touareg. The RM56,172 gap buys the Volkswagen 335 hp, 450 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time, versus 8.8 seconds for the M8. But it has five seats. Malaysian buyers needing regular third-row use and power sliding doors should favour the M8; those wanting pace, an 810-litre boot and air suspension should pay for the Touareg.
Pick the GAC M8 if you need seven seats, power sliding doors and plug-in hybrid driving with 106 km of EV range.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you want 335 hp, all-wheel drive, air suspension and a much larger 810-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: GAC M8 RM328,800; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- 0-100 km/h: GAC M8 8.8 seconds; Volkswagen Touareg 6.0 seconds.
- Seating and boot space: GAC M8 7 seats and 280 litres; Volkswagen Touareg 5 seats and 810 litres.
- Wheelbase and length: GAC M8 3,070 mm and 5,212 mm; Volkswagen Touareg 2,984 mm and 4,878 mm.
- Powertrain output: GAC M8 187 hp and 300 Nm engine output; Volkswagen Touareg 335 hp and 450 Nm.
M8
- Seven seats with second-row captain's chairs and power sliding doors
- 25.57-kWh battery, 106 km EV range, 6.6-kW AC and 40-kW DC charging
- Seven airbags, versus six in the Touareg
- 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Touareg's 6.0 seconds
- 280-litre boot is far smaller than the Touareg's 810 litres
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
Touareg
- 335 hp, 450 Nm and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- All-wheel drive and multi-link air suspension
- HD Matrix LED headlamps, night vision and an 810-litre boot
- Five seats, against the M8's seven
- Costs RM56,172 more than the M8
- No panoramic glass roof or power sliding doors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM328,800✓ | RM384,972 |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM1,632 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 335 hp at 5,300 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 450 Nm at 1,340 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | V 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 84.5 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| 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 | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,212 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,893 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,823 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,420 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| 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 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Doors | — |
| 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 & Touareg for sale
M8 vs Touareg FAQ
Is the GAC M8 or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The GAC M8 is better for moving seven people and using plug-in hybrid EV range. The Volkswagen Touareg is better for performance, all-wheel drive, air suspension and luggage capacity.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM56,172 more than the GAC M8.
Which is better for a large family?
The GAC M8 is the clear choice for a large family, with seven seats, second-row captain's chairs, a third row and power sliding doors. The Touareg has only five seats, but its 810-litre boot is much larger than the M8's 280 litres.
