Omoda is the other half of a dual-brand approach to entering the UK market from Chinese firm Chery. Jaecoo, the other company, has just introduced the Jaecoo 7, to take on family SUV rivals, such as the Volkswagen Tiguan.
The Omoda 5 is an SUV, of a similar size, but is perhaps aiming at the more mainstream end of this sector, with key rivals such as the Kia Sportage.
Design and interior
Outside, the Omoda 5, like the Jaecoo 7, is a very distinctive car. The curvy front design features a clamshell bonnet, and large 3D-designed grille with chrome-trimmed diamonds. Elsewhere, there are high-set daytime running lights and indicators, with stacked headlights alongside in the front air dam. The electric version of this car (pictured here) is the more attractive one, as it does without the grille, and looks far sharper!
The side design is more conventional, with its distinctive shoulder line, lower cutout, and sharp wheel arches. Besides this, there’s a curvy, coupe-like roofline – with a large rear roof spoiler. Plus, 18in alloy wheels and a raised ride height. The rear highlight is a high-set light bar, plus chunky rear diffuser.
Inside, the design feels modern, with the high-set centre console, with the automatic gear selector in the centre on the ICE version. The dashboard itself is a slim design, with two 10in screens for instruments and infotainment on the top.
Interestingly, considering they are the same car, the all-electric version of the Omoda 5 feels far more European and luxurious, with more soft covered finishes, compared to the ICE version’s many hard and textured plastics. Then again, the ICE model is priced at £25,235. There is a decent amount of interior space in the front, and the one-piece front seats are comfortable and supportive. Things aren’t so good in the back, as legroom is tighter than you’d expect, and that sloping roofline means tall passengers heads will be touching the roof lining. Boot space isn’t that impressive either, and at 307 litres, rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai’s smaller Kona offer more.
The more time we spent in the Omoda’s interior, sadly the more it disappointed. The standard ADAS system intrudes too much, with too many noises. The chrome-trimmed stalks have too many features and feel insubstantial. The 10in infotainment screen seems to work the same way as an iPhone on both models, yet the ICE version seemed unable to find popular DAB radio stations, and the 360-degree camera is more of an annoyance than a help.
Performance and drive
The Omoda 5 will be available with two equipment grades (the Comfort we had and Noble), plus the choice of two powertrains. The first being a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol, with 183hp and 203lb ft of torque, plus the version most interesting to fleets – an EV version, called the E5. The E5 is powered by a 204hp electric motor, and its 61kWh battery is capable of being charged from 30 to 80%, in just 28 minutes, and has a WLTP range of 257 miles.
On the road, we drove the petrol version first, and it feels as willing as the official 0-62mph figure of 7.8 seconds suggests – however there are issues. Firstly, with the refinement, as this engine, combined with the lazy seven-speed automatic transmission, means it is always working hard, and as a result is noisy.
Then, we must take issue with how the transmission is calibrated with the automatic handbrake, start/stop system, and the engine. It’s at its worst when you stop, and the engine dies, as then when you move off both the handbrake and start/stop systems are too slow, equalling an experience we can only relate to being like a learner driver trying to master clutch control – which is irritating!
Elsewhere, the suspension and standard 19in wheels, which are tuned to UK roads, do a good job of masking small road imperfections. However, anything more than that, and the Omoda 5 is surprisingly unsettled – with lots of body roll in corners. This isn’t helped by the steering, which is very light and devoid of feel.
We then moved on to the electric version, for which our driving impressions are largely the same. However, the single speed automatic transmission is far smoother – making it far easier to drive. And the ride is noticeably harder than the ICE version.
The Omoda 5 appeals again because of its affordability, long warranty, and high equipment levels. However, we can’t recommend the ICE version because of its dynamic short falls. The EV version is the better car, but established rivals are a far safer bet.
Positive: Competitive pricing, well-equipped, comfortable motorway cruiser.
Negative: Disappointing to drive – especially the ICE drivetrain, annoying ADAS systems, interior not as practical as you’d expect, quality disappoints.
Standard equipment: 18in alloy wheels, LED headlights, daytime running lights and rear lights, synthetic leather-trimmed steering wheel and interior trim, six-speaker audio system, wireless mobile charging, 10.25in instrument cluster, 13.2in central portrait touchscreen, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, panoramic view camera, keyless start, power tailgate, Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes, adaptive cruise control.
Engines: Petrol: 183hp 1.6; Electric: 204hp
Equipment grades: Comfort, Noble
Transmissions: Seven-speed automatic (petrol), single speed auto (EV)
| Model | Omoda E5 Comfort |
| P11D | £33,000 |
| Residual value | 41% |
| Depreciation | £19,456 |
| Fuel | £3,325 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | TBC |
| Cost per mile | TBC |
| Range | 257 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (2%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £11/£22 |
| Luggage capacity | 307 litres |
| Battery size/power | 61kWh/204hp |
| Score | 6/10 |
