Review: Omoda 9
What is it?
Omoda is a rapidly growing Chinese manufacturer here in the UK. It launched on our shores last year with the 5 and E5 SUVs, but now it wants to add a third contender to the mix with its first plug-in hybrid. Introducing the 9 SUV.
It’s the brand’s entry point into the premium SUV segment, though it still comes with a rather attractive price tag to tempt buyers away from German and Japanese-made rivals.
But, considering Omoda is a fairly new entrant into the UK, can the 9 live up to the strong competition that it faces? We’ve been driving it to find out.
What’s new?
There has been an uptick in the number of new Chinese offerings recently in the SUV world, but the Omoda 9 is going up against cars such as the Range Rover Velar and BMW X3, though it carries a price tag of £44,990, undercutting all of the competition.
For the first time, Omoda is offering the car with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, which promises to offer one of the best electric-only ranges and it features a new exterior and interior design to make it feel bang up to date.
Plus, all versions of the car come with Omoda’s seven-year or 100,00-mile warranty, alongside an eight-year warranty for the battery pack – showing real confidence in the brand for the durability of its cars.
What’s under the bonnet?
There is only one powertrain for now, and that is a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor and 34.46kWh battery pack.
In terms of power, this setup produces 443bhp and 700Nm of torque, while 0-60mph is dispatched in 4.7 seconds, and the car will reach a top speed of 124mph.
Omoda claims that due to the large battery pack fitted as standard, the 9 can travel up to 93 miles on electric power alone, making it one of the best-in-class when it comes to electric driving ranges.
With the car fully charged, the manufacturer claims that the car can achieve a combined 201mpg, but in the real world, we’ve been seeing around 43mpg, which is still more than acceptable enough for a car of this size.
What’s it like to drive?
Due to its long range of electric-only power, most of the time, the 9 is a very comfortable and quiet car to drive.
The ride can be a little fidgety at slower speeds, but that could be down to the larger alloy wheels that come fitted, as at higher speeds the car is more composed and restrained.
Around the bends, the car’s heavy weight is noticeable, but driven in a more moderate manner, and things start to settle down.
Also, the steering is nice and light, which makes driving around town easy, while the soft-cushioned seats make the whole experience very relaxing.
How does it look?
The Omoda 9’s design isn’t groundbreaking in any way, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring.
At the front, the car features Omoda’s front grille with hexagonal pattern, as well as vertical LED daytime running lights and brand-specific lettering on the front nose.
Meanwhile, at the back, there is a single rear light bar that runs the width of the tailgate and there is more brand-specific lettering. Overall, the design is neither scintillating nor dull, it just hasn’t got a wow factor to make it stand out from the crowd.
What’s it like inside?
The Omoda 9’s cabin is a pleasant place to be and it offers a decent amount of storage space, too.
Up front, there is a massive centre console storage area, good-sized door bins and a glove compartment.
Space in the back is good with rear occupants having loads of space to stretch out and the rear seats can recline to make those longer journeys more comfortable.
Open the boot, and you’re greeted to 660 litres of space, although due to the car’s sloping roofline, it means that it’s rather shallow, making taller items a pain to load.
What’s the spec like?
Compared to its rivals, the Omoda 9 is significantly less than a Range Rover Velar and BMW X3 – however, it’s still a lot more than other Chinese plug-in hybrid SUVs such as the MG HS PHEV.
However, with prices starting at £44,990, you still have a lot of standard equipment for your money including a panoramic sunroof, six-way electrically adjustable front seats and a 14-speaker Sony premium audio system.
There is a large central touchscreen that controls almost everything in the car, but thankfully, you do get physical climate control buttons to make it that bit more user-friendly.
Verdict
It’s easy to say that the 9 is the best offering to wear the Omoda badge right now. With its vast amount of standard equipment, comfortable driving experience and impressive 93 miles of electric range, this is an SUV that is really aiming for the top.
It may not be the most dynamic to drive and the looks don’t make it stand out aesthetically, but with it representing excellent value for money and impressive interior space, this newcomer should be taken seriously if you’re looking for a plug-in hybrid SUV.
We’ve got a range of Omoda vehicles to check out today at UK CarLine, so head over to our current range of cars to see what we’ve got to offer.
« « Jaecoo vs Omoda: What’s the difference? | Review: BYD Dolphin Surf » »
