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FIVE STAR? (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_omoda5_2025

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 57

Back in 2024, the Omoda 5 aimed to offer something just a little different for customers seeking a compact family hatch or smaller crossover SUV. Here, we look at the combustion petrol version of this Chinese contender, which seems to offer a strong value proposition. If you like the looks, this might be a tempting used buy.

Modelsword count: 4

5dr SUV (1.6 petrol)

Historyword count: 243

The Omoda brand is part of the Chery group, probably the biggest Chinese automotive player you've never heard of. And this aspiring marque launched in the UK back in 2024 with this compact family hatch / crossover model, the Omoda 5. Chery is China's biggest car exporter, which is quite an achievement when you consider the other heavyweight manufacturers based there - names you might be more familiar with like BYD, the SAIC corporation's MG marque, GWM Ora and Nio. Omoda is a name derived from two sources; 'O' is for 'oxygen' (supposed to give an enviro-vibe) and 'moda' denotes fashion, apparently keynote for a marque that aims to focus on trendiness. To start with this Omoda 5, the Chinese brand decided to give us a choice of either a straightforward combustion petrol powerplant or the all-electric E5 variant. Either way, this was a car sized and pitched to appeal to customers of both family hatchbacks and light compact crossovers. Initially, the 1.6-litre petrol version we focus on here offered a sprightly 190PS, but this was throttled back to 147PS as part of a 2025 model year update in a (largely fruitless) attempt to improve efficiency. At the same time, the base spec was changed from 'Comfort' to 'Knight', though top-spec versions continued to be badged 'Noble'. So is it worth taking a chance on this Oriental newcomer? Let's check out the early versions of the conventional petrol variant as a used buy.

What You Getword count: 327

Omoda is determined that fashionable design should be a major selling point of its models, which is why you'd be unlikely to mistake the Omoda 5 for anything else. With the combustion version of this car, the main visual talking point is its huge, strikingly intricate grille. Inside, the shiny, slightly chintzy feel of the cabin decor clearly betrays this interior design as Far Eastern rather than European - but you might like that. As is the fashion these days, a single wide panel mounted on top of the dashboard houses both of the required screens, which in this case are each 10.25-inches in size. Most of what you'll need to know is on the central monitor, which has a homescreen that displays in either rows of icons or (rather small) customisable 'widgets' - we've got nav, radio, battery charge, vehicle settings and phone ones here. You might think the general lack of physical buttons is good; we don't. The driving position seems a touch high-set and we found that unless you position the squared-off wheel unnaturally high, you can't see the whole of the instrument screen. But otherwise, the ergonomics seem fine and the sculpted seats are quite comfortable. In the rear, it's a pity that the bench doesn't slide, nor does its backrest recline. But leg room is OK and, thanks to a low central tunnel, it'd be easier to fit in a third-middle-seated adult if you absolutely had to than it usually is with a car of this class. But the small rear windows, dark trimming and sloping roof line all make it feel a touch claustrophobic, with the latter issue severely limiting headroom, so lanky occupants might struggle. With both powertrains, the manually-lifted tailgate rises to reveal a 380-litre space - which is certainly more family hatch-like; but we'll take that in return for the standard provision under the boot floor of something you almost never see these days; a full-sized spare wheel.

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