Chery, the Chinese brand that disappeared from the Australian car market a few years ago, is back. And it’s back with a very tidy looking new entrant in the small SUV market. Called the Omoda 5, it is destined to be the first of a range of new vehicles from the company to make their way to our shores, with the brand saying it ‘will usher in a new era as a wholly owned OEM with a national dealer footprint and a growing family of models.’

The company says the Omoda 5 will be available here in two trim levels – the Omoda 5 and Omoda 5 EX. Both are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, producing 115kW and 230Nm, which drives the front wheels via a Constantly Variable Transmission. Chery claims the engine will provide ‘perky’ performance and says its combined fuel use is rated at 6.9-litre per 100km.

The Omoda 5 is to receive 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and DRLs, remote engine start (and the ability to preheat or pre-cool the cabin), keyless entry with push-button start and a noise-reduction windshield with silent wipers as standard.

The SUV arrives with synthetic leather seats, twin-zone climate control with rear vents, a six-way power-adjust driver’s seat, one-touch power windows in all four doors and ambient lighting in the front of the cabin.

Also up front there’s a twin-screen digital dash, with a 10.25-inch driver display joined by a 10.25-inch central infotainment screen. The latter delivers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless device charging. There’s also an eight-speaker stereo system, and a “Hello Chery” voice-control feature that allows drivers to operate key functions.

The Omoda 5 EX model builds on these features with red brake calipers and detailing, along with “OMODA” puddle lighting, ambient interior lighting in the second row, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. A power-adjust passenger seat, a powered boot and a powered sunroof complete the equipment list.

Design-wise, the Omoda 5 is a good-looking vehicle – one that the company says is the first model to debut a new Art In Motion design language. And it looks to score well in safety too, with Chery saying it carries a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating and a full suite of high-tech safety systems, including Lane Change Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, Blind Spot Detection, Adaptive Cruise Control, Integrated Cruise Assist, Front Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Automatic Emergency Braking, Traffic Jam Assist, Speed Limit Information Function, Speed Control Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Monitoring System, Intelligent Headlamp Control and Emergency Lane Keeping. That looks like a pretty comprehensive list.

There’s also a 360-degree around-view camera, and both models are equipped with seven airbags, including front, side, curtain and a centre airbag.
Every new Chery will arrive in Australia with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, seven years of roadside assistance, and seven years capped-price servicing, the comany says.

The Omoda 5 range will arrive in Australia priced from a very competitive $29,900 (MRSP) with the flagship Omoda 5 EX coming in at $32,900 (MRSP).
“Chery’s brand philosophy is to put its customers first, which is exactly what the Omoda 5’s pricing strategy aims to do,” said Andy Zhang, Chery Australia CEO
in a media release.

“We want as many people as possible to experience this feature-packed SUV, and we want to provide true value in the Australian new-car market.
“The Omoda 5 delivers on both counts, with its competitive pricing and a long list of premium features across two seriously well-equipped trim levels.”

The Omoda 5 launch looks to be the first step in a comprehensive brand rollout that will see Chery represented in every capital city in every state and territory. The company says four models – the Omoda 5 EX+, Omoda 5 EX+ AWD, Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro – will arrive before the end of 2023 – while a battery-electric variant of the Omoda 5 is expected in 2024.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (Mar 2023)

21 March 2023