Jaecoo J5 BEV Outsells the Avanza in Indonesia — Is Malaysia Missing Out?

When it comes to Indonesia's "National Car", the Toyota Avanza is usually the undisputed king. However, a "major earthquake" hit the Indonesian market in March 2026: the Jaecoo J5 BEV officially claimed the top spot as the country's best-selling car. This isn't just a win for Chinese EVs; it marks the first time a B-segment electric SUV has successfully dethroned an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle in our neighboring country.

For Malaysian owners who only just welcomed the J5 Petrol (RM 108,000) in March, this raises a stinging question: Why did Indonesia receive the pure electric variant while we remain limited to the 1.5T turbo?

Market Dominance: 7,643 Units Sold in Q1 

According to Gaikindo data, the J5 BEV delivered 2,959 units in March alone. Proving this was no fluke, total sales for the first quarter of 2026 reached 7,643 units. While Malaysia offered an RM8,000 early-bird deal (complete with a karaoke mic and insurance rebates) for the J5 ICE, Indonesia has clearly taken a more aggressive — and successful — leap into electrification.

Spec Battle: 210 PS BEV vs. 147 PS ICE

Despite both being locally assembled (CKD), their "hearts" are worlds apart.

Indonesia Spec (BEV): 60.9 kWh battery, 210 PS / 288 Nm, and an NEDC range of 461 km

Malaysia Spec (ICE): 1.5L 4-cylinder Turbo + CVT, 147 PS / 210 Nm

On paper, the BEV's output absolutely "smokes" the petrol version. It also adds a 35-litre frunk, a practical bonus for young Malaysians who need extra storage for camping gear.

The Pricing Gap: A Tough Pill to Swallow

The real "koyak" part for local enthusiasts is the price tag. Converted, the J5 BEV in Indonesia is priced between RM65k and RM72k. Of course, this isn't an apples-to-apples comparison due to Indonesia's heavy EV tax incentives, whereas our J5 ICE is positioned at RM108k to compete with the Proton X50 and Honda HR-V. If Omoda Jaecoo Malaysia (OJM) brings the BEV here under our current tax exemptions, we can expect a price tag around RM110k–120k to challenge the BYD Atto 3.

When Is the J5 BEV Coming to Malaysia? 

OJM has not ruled out a local debut for the J5 BEV. With Indonesia and Thailand already leading the charge, and Malaysia serving as Chery's key regional hub, it is likely only a matter of time before the BEV arrives on our shores.