Omoda 5: A Stylish and Affordable Newcomer in the Family SUV Scene

What is it?

As Chinese car brands continue to make inroads into the UK market, Omoda, a subsidiary of the well-established Chery brand, introduces the Omoda 5. This family SUV enters a highly competitive segment, going head-to-head with popular models like the Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai, and MG HS. Though Omoda might be a new name for British consumers, Chery has made its mark globally, selling nearly 1.9 million vehicles last year. The Omoda 5 debuts with a 1.6-litre petrol engine and promises to offer strong value, with competitive pricing and an extensive equipment list. But with so many established players in this category, can the Omoda 5 deliver enough to carve out its place in the family SUV market? Let’s start by examining its design and styling.

Design and Styling

On the outside, the Omoda 5 sports a modern, though somewhat derivative, design. It’s clear that Omoda has drawn inspiration from established SUV designs, resulting in a vehicle that feels familiar yet lacks distinctive flair. The front grille is bold, almost glitzy, which some buyers may find appealing, while others might consider it a bit over-the-top for an otherwise inoffensive design. Slim, upside-down headlights add a contemporary touch, and sculpted side flanks give the SUV a bit of visual interest. The rear is tidy, with a full-width light bar connecting the taillights—a feature becoming increasingly common among modern SUVs.

While the Omoda 5 won’t turn heads for its uniqueness, it is a handsome vehicle in a mainstream way. It’s unlikely to stand out in a crowded car park, but it won’t offend, either. It’s designed to appeal to a broad audience with safe, conventional styling that ticks the boxes of what buyers expect from a compact SUV today.

Inside, the Omoda 5 aims to impress with its tech-focused cabin design. The most eye-catching feature is the pair of 10.25-inch screens mounted side by side, giving the dashboard a premium, high-tech look. Despite their appearance, the functionality of the screens is relatively basic, though it’s helped by the inclusion of standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The layout of the dashboard is clean and modern, and the materials, while not upmarket, are of a good enough quality for the price point. Soft-touch surfaces, chrome accents, and neat stitching give the interior a polished feel, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of rivals like the Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage.

While the Omoda 5’s styling may not break new ground, it presents itself as a smart, well-executed package with a few compromises in the name of aesthetics. It’s a safe choice for those seeking a modern, well-equipped SUV, though it may leave those looking for something more striking feeling a bit underwhelmed.

Powertrain and Performance

The Omoda 5 arrives in the UK market with a single powertrain option at launch: a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. This setup generates 184bhp, which places it competitively among family SUVs in this segment. On paper, the Omoda 5 seems promising, with a 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds, outperforming some of its closest rivals like the 1.3-litre Nissan Qashqai and the 1.5-litre MG HS.

However, while those performance figures suggest lively acceleration, the Omoda 5 doesn’t quite deliver the punch you’d expect. The turbocharged engine needs to be worked hard to access its power, and as you push it, the engine becomes coarse and noisy. This lack of refinement is noticeable when compared to smoother competitors in the same class. On the plus side, the seven-speed automatic transmission shifts gears smoothly enough during normal driving, keeping the power delivery consistent, though it’s not particularly quick to respond when you need it to be.

Drive and Handling

The Omoda 5 positions itself as a family SUV, and it largely delivers on the comfort front, though it comes with some caveats. Around town, the Omoda 5’s light steering makes it easy to manoeuvre through tight streets and parking situations, a clear advantage for urban drivers. However, the steering’s lack of weight and feedback becomes a disadvantage at higher speeds. It’s vague and disconnected, which can make the car feel less composed on twistier roads or during faster motorway driving. Enthusiasts or those who enjoy more spirited driving will find the Omoda 5’s handling uninspiring compared to sharper rivals like the Ford Kuga or the more agile Nissan Qashqai.

On smooth roads and motorways, the Omoda 5 does a decent job of isolating occupants from road and wind noise, contributing to a relatively quiet cabin at speed. It feels well-suited for cruising, with the engine settling down into the background once you reach a steady pace. This is where the SUV feels most at home, offering a relaxed driving experience for longer journeys.

Practicality

When it comes to practicality, the Omoda 5 offers a mixed bag of strengths and weaknesses. For front-seat passengers, the Omoda 5 provides a generous amount of space, with a high driving position that grants good forward visibility and an overall feeling of roominess. The front seats are comfortable, and the driver benefits from standard electric seat adjustment, ensuring that finding the right driving position is easy. There’s also plenty of handy storage in the cabin, including a decently sized glovebox, large door bins, and a useful storage compartment beneath the centre console. The dual phone storage areas, one of which features wireless charging, add further convenience, especially for modern tech-savvy families.

However, practicality takes a bit of a hit when moving to the rear seats. Despite the SUV’s size, rear legroom is limited, particularly for taller passengers. Sitting behind a six-foot driver will likely leave little space for knees, making long journeys uncomfortable for adults in the back. The sloping roofline also reduces rear headroom significantly, with taller passengers finding their heads brushing against the roof. This is especially true for those seated upright, limiting the comfort and appeal of the rear seats for long trips. Additionally, the small rear doors make it awkward to get in and out of the car, and they pose a challenge when loading bulky items like child seats.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Omoda 5 falls short compared to its competitors. The boot offers 380 litres of space, which is closer in size to a regular family hatchback than a full-size SUV. For context, rivals like the Citroën C5 Aircross and MG HS offer significantly more boot space—580 litres and 507 litres, respectively—putting the Omoda 5 at a disadvantage when it comes to loading up for family holidays or major shopping trips. The boot is long but shallow, and the rigid parcel shelf needs to be removed to fit taller items, with no dedicated space to store it inside the car. On the plus side, the rear seats do fold flat, expanding the load space to accommodate larger items when needed, though you may need to remove the headrests first.

Conclusion

The Omoda 5 brings a fresh option to the family SUV market with its attractive design, high-tech features, and competitive pricing. It excels in offering a well-equipped and comfortable front cabin, making it a great choice for daily commutes and longer drives. With modern tech like dual 10.25-inch screens and wireless smartphone connectivity, it offers excellent value for the price. While rear space and boot capacity may be more limited than some competitors, the Omoda 5 still manages to deliver a balanced mix of style, comfort, and practicality. For those seeking a stylish and affordable SUV, the Omoda 5 stands as a strong new contender.