OMODA ON TREND

One notable consequence of the shift toward electric cars is the arrival of new brands.

Tesla showed that it was possible to launch a new brand on an EV-only platform, and now others are repeating the trick.

Many of these new brands are coming from China, where cheaper costs mean new brands can launch into the lower priced end of the EV market –where established automakers have found it difficult to succeed.

The latest to hit the streets is Omoda. It’s the first of a series of brands to be launched by one of China’s biggest and most successful automakers, Chery Automobile.

A second brand, Jaecoo, is already being prepared for launch with a larger, seven-seat SUV already under test in the UK, and a third, more up-market brand, Exceed, is likely to follow.

Chery is a relative newcomer, having only built its first car in 1997, but it has grown to become the fifth-largest Chinese automaker, with production of 1.88 million cars in 2023.

Omoda’s arrival means five of the top 10 Chinese car companies are now selling cars in the UK: It joins Geely (Volvo and LEVC), GWM (Ora), SAIC (MG and Maxus) and BYD –and all are focused on the EV sector.

The Omoda 5, the launch model, is perhaps unusual as it is available as both an EV and a petrol-engined model, with a 187bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine.

The Omoda E5 is the electric version, and as a compact SUV it’s very much on trend – its natural rivals are Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro. The E5 has a 204bhp electric motor and a 61kWh battery, which offers 257 miles of range on the WLTP cycle.

Omoda says it can fast-charge at 80kW, meaning it can be charged from 30-80% (a 50% charge) in just under half an hour.

It’s a stylish car that doesn’t push design in any new direction – but it doesn’t need to. The interior is also on trend, with fashionable twin widescreen display and good quality fit and finish.

At £33,500 for entry-level Comfort trim, rising to £35,500 for the top-spec Noble trim level, it’s competitively priced and should compete with other Chinese-built compact SUVs such as MG 4 and BYD Atto 3.

DATA

• Price OTR £33,500

• SPECIFICATION

• Powertrain Single electric motor

• Transmission SIngle-speed auto, front-wheel drive

• Battery pack 61kW Li-Ion

• Power 204bhp

• Torque 340Nm

• Top speed 107mph

• 0-62mph 7.2sec

• Electric range 257 miles (WLTP)

• Charging time 30min (DC 80kW, 30-80%)

• Length 4,424mm

• Width 1,830mm

• Height 1,588mm

• Wheelbase 2,630mm

• Loadspace 378 litres

• VED Band A