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By Jonathan Crouch

Chinese brand Omoda has continually improved its C-segment crossover contender, the Omoda 5. Jonathan Crouch takes a closer look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 75

The Omoda 5 has been continually evolved since its original launch here in 2024, most recently by the addition of a Hybrid derivative. The idea with this contender in all its forms is to offer something just a little different for customers seeking a compact family hatch or smaller crossover SUV. There's a choice of combustion or EV powertrains, striking design and a strong value proposition. If you like the looks, it might be tempting.

Backgroundword count: 226

The Chery Group clearly listens to feedback. Just 18 months after launching this Omoda 5 model in both combustion and E5 electric form in the UK in 2024, the car was updated. Then in early 2026, its proposition was further enhanced by the introduction of a full-Hybrid version. The Chinese move fast. So many new Oriental brands have been launched here in the last year or so that you might have forgotten about the Omoda 5, which has sold quite well in the UK since its original introduction, despite less than glowing initial reviews. A quick reminder then: Omoda is part of the Chery group, probably the biggest Chinese automotive player you've never heard of. 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, Leapmotor, Jaecoo and Geely. 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. As before, in both its forms the Omoda 5 is a car sized and pitched to appeal to customers of both family hatchbacks and light compact crossovers. So is it now worth taking a chance on this Oriental newcomer?

Driving Experienceword count: 402

If it's an Omoda 5 you want, then you might well feel that the version you should choose should be the SHS-H full-Hybrid model. There's a cheaper unelectrified 1.6-litre petrol version and a 61kWh all-electric E5 model, but it's the SHS-H which seems to provide the best combination of mechanical virtues. So let's start with that. The SHS-H 'Super Hybrid System - Hybrid') set-up in use here comes from parent group Chery's parts shelf and pairs a turbocharged 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine with a compact electric motor energised by tiny 1.83kWh battery pack. This Omoda 5 uses a conventional Toyota-style full-Hybrid system with the engine and motor working in tandem to power the front wheels. That power works through the Cherry Group's own three-speed 'DHT' auto gearbox ('Dedicated Hybrid Transmission') optimised to work with petrol/electric powertrains. Combined power output is rated at 204bhp, with 0-62mph requiring 7.9s en route to 108mph. If you can't quite stretch to an SHS-H variant, then there's the entry-level petrol Omoda 5, which uses an old-tech 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine that originally developed 190PS but more recently was restricted to 147PS in a (largely fruitless) effort by Omoda to improve efficiency. 0-62mph takes 10.1s but there's an eager 275Nm of torque. This base petrol unit comes paired with a Getrag-sourced 7-speed dual clutch auto gearbox, though on the road you'll find that this transmission's indecisiveness sometimes hurts the drivetrain's general driveability and it tends to hunt around its ratios. There are various drive modes provided: obviously, to get anywhere near to the quoted efficiency stats, you'll need to spend most of your time in the 'Eco' setting. The final '5' option is the E5 electric variant, which uses a single front-mounted 211PS motor and pairs it with a 61kWh CATL battery offering a 267 mile range figure. A heat pump is standard-fit in order to preserve range during colder months. Handling across the line-up was developed in Europe and benchmarked against what the brand sees as this car's closest rival the Hyundai Kona. The suspension, steering and anti-roll bars have all been re-tuned over the Chinese market model to cater for differing European tastes. Since launch, Omoda has revised the front suspension geometry and introduced new front wheel hubs and a new electric steering set-up to improve handling. Even so, don't expect cutting-edge handling or particularly feelsome steering but the drive dynamics are reasonably class competitive.

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