Chery was among the pioneer Chinese brands that graced the Australian market, known primarily for budget-friendly utes (Great Wall, JMC, ZX Auto) or affordable passenger vehicles (Chery, Geely). However, their initial ventures were short-lived, with Great Wall (now rebranded as GWM) being the only exception, reinventing itself to offer more competitive products.

Today, advancements in the Chinese auto industry are evident, with manufacturers like Chery elevating their offerings to match the expectations of Chinese buyers, as well as consumers from various global markets. Over the past decade, China's automotive sector has seen dramatic growth and innovation. While some subpar products still exist, the era of evident clones and rehashed older models like the 1987 Daihatsu Charades and Austin Maestros has largely passed.

Fast-forwarding to 2023, Chery is back on Australian shores with the Omoda 5. The company has plans to expand its local lineup with up to four more models before the end of the year, including the all-electric Omoda 5 BEV slated for a 2024 launch.

The Omoda 5 is touted as Chery's inaugural truly global model, designed to accommodate both left- and right-hand drive configurations and benchmarked against renowned competitors like the Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona, and Toyota C-HR.

Currently, our attention is focused on the petrol-driven Omoda 5, which is anticipated to be available in two variants: the base BX and the upgraded EX. Starting prices are set at $29,900 for the BX and $32,900 for the EX, both excluding on-road costs. With respect to New South Wales, the driveaway prices are expected to be $32,190 for the BX and $35,490 for the EX.

What are the prices for the Chery Omoda 5 EX?

The Chery Omoda 5 range starts at $29,900 (before on-road costs) for the base BX, and goes up to $32,900 (before on-roads) for the EX. However, it's important to note that drive-away pricing varies depending on the state. For the BX, it ranges between $31,990 and $32,690, while for the EX, it spans from $35,190 to $35,890.

Comparatively, this pricing places the Omoda 5 higher than key competitors such as the GWM Haval Jolion Premium and the top-spec MG ZST Essence. The Omoda 5's pricing even surpasses the Mitsubishi ASX GSR, which is traditionally seen as a more established brand.

What’s under the bonnet? 

Under the hood, the Omoda 5 features a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 115kW of power and 230Nm of torque, with front-wheel drive only. These output figures are on par with this segment's standard. A more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre engine is expected to join the Omoda 5 range later in the year, offering multi-link suspension instead of a torsion beam, optional all-wheel drive, and greater power and torque (145kW and 290Nm).

Unlike the GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZST, which use dual-clutch automatic transmissions, the Omoda 5 is equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). However, the forthcoming turbo 1.6-litre models will utilize a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Chery claims a 0-100km/h time of 9.9 seconds for the Omoda 5, but testing recorded a quicker time of 9.24 seconds. Fuel economy is claimed to be 6.9L/100km for the combined cycle, although testing over a diverse driving loop revealed consumption to be closer to 9.3L/100km. Over a week of largely highway driving, this figure dropped to an average of 8.4L/100km.

How does the Chery Omoda 5 EX drive? 

The Chery Omoda 5, with its eye-catching design and well-equipped interior, may be an appealing choice for those in the market for a new SUV. However, it is clear from driving impressions that its budget-friendly price tag is reflected in the on-road experience.

Equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 115kW of power and 230Nm of torque, the Omoda 5's performance is deemed to be satisfactory, although it might fall short when compared to the energetic dynamism of many small SUVs. The engine does not appear to have an urgency, particularly when accelerating from a standstill.

The engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that mimics a traditional torque converter automatic. Chery claims the transmission has nine stages, but they are designed to be barely perceptible to the driver. During testing, the Omoda 5 achieved a 0-100km/h time of 8.31 seconds, comparable to the Nissan Qashqai. However, the addition of a hybrid variant later this year could boost the SUV's performance.

Ride quality in the Omoda 5 is found to be generally smooth, but it could get busy at low speeds over varied surfaces. Urban driving situations tend to be bumpier, while open-road driving above 80km/h offers a more composed ride.

Steering in the Omoda 5 is exceedingly light, catering to a contemporary driving preference. While this lightness might be appealing to some, it offers little feedback and thus could undermine driver confidence. However, the quick responsiveness of the steering system might be a redeeming feature for some.

The SUV falls short in terms of refinement, with the engine noise becoming notably loud during acceleration. This could be due to either the engine design itself or insufficient cabin sound-proofing. However, tyre noise doesn't seem to be an issue.

In summary, while the Chery Omoda 5 offers much to admire in terms of design and features, its driving performance and refinement leave room for improvement. It may not live up to the standards set by other small SUV competitors, particularly in terms of engine and ride quality, and its steering might not suit all tastes.

What is the Chery Omoda 5 EX like on the inside? 

The Chery Omoda 5 offers a satisfactory amount of interior space for a small SUV, with the front row featuring a commendable build quality and an impressive aesthetic design for a budget-friendly brand.

The dual 10.25-inch screens, with one serving as the driver's gauge cluster and the other as a shared infotainment system, are a nice touch. Though the system's software graphics could be considered somewhat basic and the language translation subpar, it operates smoothly and without glitches. However, you might experience slight lags and less refined graphics when swiftly switching between functions such as Google Maps and Spotify on Apple CarPlay.

An intriguing feature is the Sony-branded stereo system. Though previous experience with Sony audio in cars might not have been impressive, it will be interesting to see how this system performs.

The interior materials are varied and appealing, with bronze highlights on the doors and a metallic-looking plastic center console contributing to an impression of quality. The cabin seems well put together and offers a stylish feel for its price point.

The imitation-leather trim is convincingly realistic, and the seats offer reasonable comfort, although the front seats lack adjustable lumbar support. There are a few ergonomic issues, including a cumbersome gearshift unlock button, a lack of dedicated buttons for the climate-control system, and a bulky driver-assist camera system on the steering column. Moreover, some layout aspects seem more suited to a left-hand drive vehicle, such as the temperature controls and USB ports' positioning.

In the second row, space is acceptable for a small SUV, though tall passengers may find legroom limited and the flat, non-contoured bench may offer inadequate thigh support. The amenities include rear air vents, a USB port, and cupholders.

Boot space is around 292–360L, which falls on the smaller side for this segment. However, the space is well-distributed and should suit a small family's needs. A space-saver spare wheel is conveniently located under the boot floor, which adds to the practicality of the vehicle.

Is the Chery Omoda 5 EX safe? 

The Chery Omoda 5 has made a substantial leap in terms of safety and driver assist technologies. The vehicle earned five stars from Euro NCAP in recent testing, suggesting that it might also receive a five-star ANCAP rating. This is an improvement over the MG ZST, which holds a four-star rating. Specifically, the Omoda 5 achieved 87% for adult and child occupant protection, 88% for the safety assist category, and 68% for vulnerable road user protection.

Standard safety features include:

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, rear parking sensors

The EX also receives a surround-view camera.

How much does the Chery Omoda 5 EX cost to run? 

Chery Australia has announced a seven-year or 70,000km capped-price servicing plan for the Omoda 5. This plan will cost owners $2,086.58 over that period, with services scheduled every 12 months or 10,000km. This is significantly more affordable than the Kia Stonic, which costs $3,314 over the same timeframe. Furthermore, Chery offers a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty for the Omoda 5, matching Kia's industry-leading coverage.

Over a few days, fuel consumption for the Omoda 5 was measured at 8.9L/100km, which is two litres higher than Chery's claimed 6.9L/100km. It's worth noting that this figure is indicative of the vehicle's short-term consumption and might change with a longer test period.

Yeecar’s Take on the Chery Omoda 5 EX

As Chery re-enters the Australian market, the Omoda 5 stands out with its striking lighting, red highlights, lengthy feature list, and modern interior and exterior design. Despite an enthusiastic powertrain, the ride quality and steering could use some improvement, and cabin noise at highway speeds is noticeable.

Nonetheless, the car seemed solid in a quick one-day test drive, although some aspects require fine-tuning. Given the price, the Omoda 5 presents strong value for money, particularly in these challenging economic times. With some potential enhancements, such as a local suspension tune, recalibration of driver assist features, and additional sound-proofing, the Omoda 5 could become a more appealing driving choice. It'll be interesting to see how it measures up against mainstream competitors in future comparisons.