Chery Omoda 5, a small SUV competitor to MG ZS and GWM Haval Jolion, is back after addressing early safety system issues. It boasts a spacious interior, the latest driver-assistance features, and a promising 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine with AWD option in the newly introduced top-of-the-line GT trim. However, existing models have become more expensive, with Chery Omoda 5 prices starting at $31,204.

Pros:

• Striking, futuristic exterior
• Focus on comfort
• Impressive list of features for the money

Cons:

• Thirsty petrol engines
• Limited cargo space
• Lane assist needs further improvement
• Dull steering and floaty suspension

What’s new:

• Improved safety systems
• AWD availability
• 1.6L turbo option added

The Chery Omoda 5, a compact SUV aiming to rival established players, had a rough launch in Australia in early 2023. Initial models suffered from safety system issues, casting a shadow over the car's potential as a value-for-money feature-packed small SUV. However, Chery assures Australian customers they've addressed these problems. So, can the Omoda 5 overcome its rocky start and become a compelling option for Australian SUV buyers? Let's find out!

Exteriors

The Chery Omoda 5 boasts a futuristic, bold exterior with unique design elements and confident proportions.

Styling elements

The Chery Omoda 5 throws down the gauntlet in the world of SUVs with its exterior styling. It blends bold features with a futuristic angular aesthetic, resulting in a head-turning and undeniably modern look. Look out for details on the front grille – is it a statement piece with a diamond shape, perhaps? The lighting design is another key element. The Omoda 5 boasts unique LED daytime running lights or taillights that set it apart while the overall stance is mixed with a sporty roofline and crossover ground clearance.

Colour options

The Chery Omoda 5 throws a whole palette at your choice, offering eight standard colours and two premium options. Classic colours like Lunar White, Mercurial Grey, Saturn Silver, and Space Black provide timeless elegance. Martian Red and Titan Green add a vibrant touch if you crave something bolder. Midnight Blue and Jupiter Blue offer a captivating presence for an extra dose of distinction. But there are more! The Omoda 5 pushes the envelope further with a premium Martian Red paint job that can be adorned with optional red strike accents. To personalise your ride, add a contrasting black roof to this premium option. With so many choices, you'll surely find the perfect combination to make your Omoda 5 a head-turner on the road.

Those red accents under the outside rearview mirrors and on the bottom half of the doors are not to everyone’s taste, but they feel more appropriate for the sportier GT trim than on the regular version.

Wheel design

The Omoda 5 complements its exterior flair with dynamic 18-inch alloy wheels. Finished in a sleek gloss black, these wheels add a touch of sophistication and sportiness to the overall look. Their size ensures a confident stance on the road, emphasising the Omoda 5's assertive character. Paired with 215/55 R18 tyres, they promise a balance between style and handling capability. Chery has given red contrast accents here as well, once again better suited for the Omoda GT trims.

Interiors

Interior layout and space

When it comes to the Chery Omoda 5 interior layout and space, it is impressive for the price tag. In terms of space, there is adequate legroom and headroom in both the front and rear seats even with that sloped roofline.  However, toe room is limited due to the high-set floor. While the seats are plush even without leatherette upholstery, they lack adequate bolstering and have relatively short bases. On the bright side, there are plenty of storage spaces including one under the centre console tunnel.. Overall, the Chery Omoda 5's interior offers a cabin that is roomier than the exterior would have you believe. One difference on the Omoda GT is that the central console gets a piano black finish instead of the brushed metal look of the regular trims.

Comfort and ergonomics

Chery touts the Omoda 5's interior to have a key focus on comfort and user-friendliness. The build quality is decent with soft-touch materials for various touch-points creating a premium feel. Supportive seats promise to coddle you on long journeys. Easy-to-reach controls and clear displays minimise distractions, ensuring ergonomic excellence. The Chery Omoda 5's interior is a relaxing and comfortable environment that keeps the driver focused on the road. In the back, you do get a fold out armrest with cupholders as well as rear AC vents with directional controls and a Type-A USB charge port.

Boot

While the Chery Omoda 5 offers a cargo space of up to 325 litres, opting for the GT AWD version means sacrificing some luggage capacity. This AWD variant sacrifices 25 litres of space due to the inclusion of a full-size spare tyre under the cargo floor, compared to the space-saver spare tyre found in other trims. This is one of the key weaknesses for the Omoda 5 compared to rivals like the Toyota Corolla Cross or even the Kia Seltos that promise more luggage capacities. You can, however, fold down the split-folding 60:40 rear seats for increased cargo space with a flat floor..

Technology and infotainment

The Chery Omoda 5 boasts a modern cabin with an attractive list of features, including ambient lighting and a sleek dual-screen setup..

Infotainment system

The Omoda 5 has a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, providing a clear and easily readable interface for accessing various functions. It supports wireless Android Auto, which generally connects quickly and maintains a steady connection. However, there have been instances where it stopped working entirely, leaving the screen black. Meanwhile, the Apple CarPlay connectivity is laggy as well, even when connected via a Type-A USB cable. The system also features a voice assistant for controlling various functions which gets a cutesy icon on the top right corner of the infotainment screen. Chery has fitted the Omoda 5 with a Sony eight-speaker sound system that delivers decent audio quality.

Digital driver’s display

The vehicle's 10.25-inch digital driver's display provides essential information but does not have a particularly robust build. It’s housed in a large integrated display panel for a seamless look. It’s easy to read while driving and there are no functional complaints here..

Connectivity options (Bluetooth, USB, Carplay etc.)

The Omoda 5 offers a range of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and USB ports for connecting devices. It also supports wireless mirroring for smartphones, providing easy access to apps and features. However, placing the front USB-A and USB-C outlets on opposite sides of the centre console definitely seemed odd.

Navigation

Unlike its larger siblings, the Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro Max, the Omoda 5 doesn’t come with built-in satellite navigation. Instead, you’ll need to rely on your phone to navigate around the city, which could be a little inconvenient but it’s not the end of the world since most of us use directional applications on our phones anyway.

Engine and performance

The Chery Omoda 5 is only available with petrol engines and automatic transmissions. As standard it is a front-wheel-drive SUV with only one top-of-the-line Omoda 5 GT variant with the choice of all-wheel-drive. .

Engine Specifications

Its regular trims are powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 107 kW of power and 210 Nm of torque. This engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), sending power to the front wheels. Then there is the Omoda 5 GT which gets the more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 137 kW of power and 275 Nm of torque. It has a different transmission too, using a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Transmission and Drive System

The Omoda 5's CVT is not exactly exciting to drive but it works well with the turbo engine, in both city and highway driving. It is a bit noisy under hard acceleration but otherwise offers a smooth driving experience. The DCT in the Omoda 5 GT is the one to consider for a more engaging drive as it is faster to respond to driver inputs and moves up the gears fairly quickly.

Acceleration and Top Speed

Acceleration is smooth, with only a touch of lag off the line. Chery claims the Omoda 5 can do the 0-100 km/h run in just under 10 seconds while independent tests of the Omoda 5 GT AWD show it takes around 8.4 seconds for the same.

Braking system

The Chery Omoda 5 comes equipped with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) to prevent wheel lock-up during emergency braking, enhancing stability and control. It also includes EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), which adjusts the braking force applied to each wheel to optimise stopping performance based on the vehicle's load. The Omoda 5 is also equipped with brake assist, providing additional braking force in emergencies where the driver may not apply enough pressure to the brake pedal. This comprehensive braking system ensures reliable and effective stopping power under various driving conditions.

Handling and driving dynamics

The Omoda 5's handling is suitable for city driving, with light steering that makes it easy to manoeuvre in urban environments. However, the steering lacks weight and feedback, disappointing drivers seeking a more engaging driving experience. The suspension is softly sprung, providing a comfortable ride over pockmarked urban pavements. However, the suspension can be noisy on rougher roads, particularly over expansion joints. The Omoda 5 is less composed on winding mountain roads, with excessive body lean and vague steering. While it does not excel in dynamic driving situations, the Omoda 5 offers city dwellers a comfortable and pleasant driving experience.

The more recently introduced Omoda 5 GT variants still suffer from the same suspension tune, but the handling is sharper and that sportier powertrain makes it a lot more fun to drive.

Safety features

The Chery Omoda 5 is equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features to protect its occupants and enhance overall road safety. Its robust safety systems provide reliable performance and a secure driving experience in various conditions. With 7 airbags, a decent 360-degree surround view monitor, multiple driver assistance technologies, and monitoring systems, the Omoda 5 prioritises safety and peace of mind for both the driver and passengers.

Some of these key safety features include the following:

• Autonomous emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Emergency lane keeping
• Integrated Cruise Assist
• Lane-keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Traffic jam assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Driver attention monitoring
• Front, front-side, and curtain airbags
• Front-centre airbag
• Reversing camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Surround-view camera (not offered on the entry level FX and BX trims)

Additionally, the Chery Omoda 5 has achieved a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, receiving impressive scores in all key categories:

• Adult Occupant Protection: 87%
• Child Occupant Protection: 88%
• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 68%
• Safety Assist: 83%

Ownership experience

The Chery Omoda 5 price range starts as low as $28,000 and goes up to a little under $41,000 for the AWD GT trim, but you can pick up the fully-loaded Omoda 5 minus the AWD for around $37,000 (driveaway prices stated by Chery). It is a cheap compact SUV with an attractive value positioning, but it faces an uphill battle with users being sceptical due to Chery's earlier reputation and previous experiences with Chinese-made vehicles, citing concerns about reliability and quality. Others appreciate the seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, considering it a viable alternative while waiting for long-delayed models like the Toyota RAV4 hybrid. Reviews highlight varying experiences,  with some users reporting issues with safety systems like the Lane Departure Mitigation. Overall, while the Omoda 5 appeals to buyers looking for affordability and immediate availability, it faces criticism for perceived lower quality compared to established brands.

Major strengths:

• The Omoda 5 is competitively priced, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
• The vehicle has various appealing modern features, like the large dual screens and surround-view camera.
• Chery offers a seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, which provides peace of mind and confidence in its product.
• Many buyers appreciate the car's contemporary and attractive design, which stands out in its segment.
• Omoda 5 GT broadens the appeal to those seeking a more fun drive experience as well.
• The Omoda 5 is available more quickly than some high-demand models, like the RAV4 hybrid, which has lengthy waiting periods.

Major drawbacks:

• Some users have expressed doubts about the reliability and longevity of Chery vehicles based on past experiences with similar Chinese car brands.
• Reports of intrusive or malfunctioning safety systems, such as Emergency Lane Keeping, have raised concerns about the car's safety.
• There are mixed reviews regarding the car's electronic systems, with some users experiencing significant issues.
• Some reviewers found the interior materials and build quality lacking compared to competitors in the same price range.

Maintenance costs and Warranty information

The MY2023/MY2024 Chery Omoda 5 1.5 Litre Turbo CVT offers a 7-year/70,000km capped price service plan, ensuring predictable maintenance costs. The service intervals are structured as follows: 'A' Service at 10,000kms/12 months costs $280, 'B' Service at 20,000kms/24 months costs $280, 'C' Service at 30,000kms/36 months costs $280, 'D' Service at 40,000kms/48 months costs $280, 'E' Service at 50,000kms/60 months costs $280, 'F' Service at 60,000kms/72 months costs $391.04, and 'G' Service at 70,000kms/84 months costs $295.54. Additionally, each new Chery vehicle has a 7-year warranty, providing comprehensive coverage and peace of mind for unforeseen problems.

Verdict

The Chery Omoda 5 is a competitively priced compact SUV with a stylish design, spacious interior, and modern features. Despite its rocky start with safety system issues, Chery has addressed these concerns with updates every few months, making it a viable option for budget-conscious buyers. The 7-year warranty and capped price servicing add to its appeal. However, the Omoda 5 faces scepticism regarding long-term reliability and build quality compared to established brands. Overall, if you prioritise affordability, contemporary design, and immediate availability over premium quality and performance, the Omoda 5 could be a worthy contender in the compact SUV market.

Reference

Owner’s Manual

Brochure