Chinese brand Chery is back, but it’s a more expensive proposition than before.
It’s launching the Omoda 5 small crossover in the first half of this year, with a base price just under $30,000 before on-road costs.
There’s no nationwide drive-away pricing, but the cheapest the Omoda 5 can be is $31,990 drive-away, with the flagship (for now) EX topping out at $35,890 drive-away.
That puts it up against the petrol-powered GWM Haval Jolion ($28,490 to $36,990 drive-away) and turbocharged versions of the MG ZST ($30-33,990 drive-away).
More expensive Omoda 5 variants are coming, with an EX+ and EX+ AWD due in the second half of this year with a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
An electric version of the Omoda 5 is due here in the first half of 2024. A plug-in hybrid version has also been mooted.
Larger Cherys are also coming with prices expected to be commensurately larger. The Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro are also due in the second half of 2023.
The range will be sold through a network of at least 40 dealers nationally, with additional regional dealers set to be added.
While Chery flopped during its last run in Australia, distributed by Ateco, it has high hopes for the new factory-backed operation.
Chery says it’s targeting a little over eight per cent of the total market in each category it competes in. That would peg it at around 10,000 small SUV sales.
For context, GWM sold 8217 Haval Jolions last year, Kia sold 8504 Seltos crossovers, and Subaru sold 9090 XVs.
Likewise, a figure of eight per cent of the mid-sized SUV segment would see the Tiggo 8 Pro outselling the likes of the GWM Haval H6 and Honda CR-V.
The company says it has been China’s largest vehicle exporter for 20 years, which has given it a “deep knowledge of the global automotive landscape” that has helped it shape its brand strategy.
The latest Chery models also feature a competitive level of safety equipment, with the Omoda 5 receiving a five-star Euro NCAP rating. It’s a far cry from the cheap and cheerless models from its 2011-14 run Down Under.
Pricing
- 2023 Chery Omoda 5 BX: $29,900
- 2023 Chery Omoda 5 EX: $32,900
Prices exclude on-road costs.
Chery has also released the following drive-away pricing, with the exact figures differing from state to state.
The BX’s drive-away pricing is as follows:
- ACT: $31,990
- NSW, NT, QLD: $32,190
- SA: $32,290
- TAS, WA: $32,390
- VIC: $32,690
The EX’s drive-away pricing is as follows:
- ACT: $35,190
- NT: $35,390
- NSW, QLD, SA: $35,490
- TAS: $35,590
- WA: $35,690
- VIC: $35,890
Drivetrains
The base Chery Omoda 5 and EX use a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 115kW of power and 230Nm of torque, mated with a continuously variable transmission. These variants are front-wheel drive.
The upcoming front-wheel drive EX+ and all-wheel drive EX+ will use a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 145kW and 290Nm, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
These models also upgrade from a torsion-beam rear suspension to a multi-link set-up.
Efficiency
Claimed combined cycle fuel consumption for the Chery Omoda 5 is 6.9L/100km.
It has a 50L fuel tank and runs on 91 RON regular unleaded fuel.
Dimensions
The Omoda 5 measures 4400mm long, 1830mm wide, 1588mm tall and rides a 2630mm wheelbase, which makes it particularly close to a Kia Seltos dimensionally.
A space-saver spare sits underneath the boot floor.
Servicing and Warranty
The Chery Omoda 5 will be offered with a seven-year warranty, seven years of capped-price servicing and seven years of roadside assistance.
Chery won’t be alone in offering a seven-year warranty, with the likes of Kia and SsangYong offering the same coverage.
Safety
Unlike the J1 and J11 from Chery’s last run in Australia, which received only three- and two-star ANCAP ratings respectively, the Omoda 5 has received five stars from Euro NCAP.
It received adult occupant protection and child occupant protection scores of 87 per cent, plus 88 per cent for the safety assist category and 68 per cent for vulnerable road user protection.
The five-star Euro NCAP results suggests ANCAP could also award it five stars.
All models come standard with the following safety equipment:
- 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
- Centre airbag
- Reversing camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
The EX also receives a surround-view camera.
Standard Equipment
The base Omoda 5 comes standard with the following:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Front fog lights
- LED tail lights with directional indicators
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless phone charger
- Eight-speaker Sony sound system
- Keyless entry and start
- Six-way power driver’s seat
- One-touch power windows
- Leatherette upholstery
- Rear air vents
- Remote start
- Front multi-colour ambient lighting
- 2 x USB outlets
- 1 x USB-C outlet
The EX adds:
- Omoda LED puddle lights
- Red brake callipers
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Second-row ambient lighting
- Exterior LED welcoming lights
- Four-way power passenger seat
- Surround-view camera
- Power tailgate
- Power sunroof
Colours
The full colour palette comprises:
- Space Black
- Mercurial Grey
- Saturn Silver
- Lunar White
- Titan Green
- Jupiter Blue
- Midnight Blue
In the EX, Mercurial Grey, Lunar White and Saturn Silver are also available with bold red accents on the side skirts, mirrors, wheels and front bumper.
MORE: Everything Chery Omoda 5
