The 2023 Chery Omoda 5 was spied by an eagle-eyed CarExpert reader, who noticed it in traffic near Parramatta in Sydney’s western suburbs.
Wearing NSW number plates indicates the car is undergoing final checks before the brand officially launches in Australia, and it could be that the brand is going to use the almost-Hyundai-N-like light blue hue as its hero colour if this is a press launch vehicle.
CarExpert has contacted some of the brand’s representatives for Australia to confirm the launch timing for both Chery and the Omoda 5 SUV, and we will update this story when we know more.
The company previously told us a February 2023 launch was the plan.
If you’re not aware of the Omoda 5, it will be the brand’s most compact SUV in Australia – at least initially.
At 4400mm long, 1800mm wide and 1585mm tall, it is aiming at stealing buyers from rivals such as the new-generation Nissan Qashqai which is a smidge larger, and the MG ZST and Kia Seltos, both of which are just a touch smaller.
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The Omoda 5 will follow a similar path to many other compact crossover models in the segment, being front-wheel drive and running a downsized turbocharged engine.
It is understood that the brand will launch the SUV with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and CVT automatic. Power outputs are expected to be between 108kW and 115kW.
However, there is potential that the brand will add a 145kW 1.6-litre turbo version with a dual-clutch automatic and more power and torque, not to mention a multi-link rear suspension layout instead of a torsion beam.
Based on the screenshot images (taken from a video), it’s hard to say what this version is.
As detailed here, the imminent Omoda 5 small SUV received a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP which we’d expect to carry over in ANCAP testing.
China’s Chery was sold in Australia years ago by distributor Ateco, where the pitch for the brand was to offer some of the most affordable cars on the market.
It isn’t clear if the plan is the same this time around, but Chery International executive vice president, Charlie Zhang, told CarExpert in 2022 that the brand wants to shift the expectations and possibly Men In Black the memories of the old cars sold here.
“We will not be labelled as a Chinese brand that is cheap… we want to be a technology-driven company,” said Mr Zhang.
Chery J3 
Chery J1 
Chery J11
“We want to go to Australia with a brand new image… where customers remember Chery because of technology, because of design, because of the quality of the cars.”
Chery will join fellow mass-market-focused Chinese brands MG, LDV, GWM, GWM Haval and BYD in the market, with others such as JAC Motor and GWM’s Ora and Tank brands also launching this year.
Stay tuned for more information on the relaunch of the Chery, including pricing and full detailed specifications, as it comes to hand.
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