Chinese car brand Chery has just announced pricing of its initial, two-variant, Omoda 5 small SUV line-up, and although they come with plenty of features, they’re priced above many small SUV stalwarts.
Chery is one of China’s biggest automotive brands and will sell its vehicles here in Australia through a 40-strong dealer network.
The recently relaunched brand has introduced the Omoda 5 with the base model sitting at $29,900 plus on-road costs and the higher-spec Omoda 5 EX at $32,900 + ORC, a bold move considering the likes of the Mitsubishi ASX, MG ZS and Suzuki Vitara all hover around the $25,000 mark and below.
Expected to launch in the first half of ‘23, both variants will have a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine (115kW/230Nm) and continuously variable transmission (CVT), giving a claimed combined fuel consumption of 6.9L/100km and can run on the cheaper regular 91 RON fuel. More powerful Omoda 5 EX+ 1.6 turbo and EX+ 1.6 turbo AWD using a seven-speed dual clutch auto are scheduled to arrive later in the year, while Battery electric versions (BEVs) are not due until the first half of 2024.
The Omodo 5 may have an elevated price tag but apparently not without just cause, as according to Chery’s factory-owned Australian outlet, the Omoda 5 range “will fulfil a brand promise to deliver style, substance and incredible value to Australian new-car buyers”.
The company says the initial Omoda 5 line up is “feature-packed” and offers “market-leading value with a long list of premium features and a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating”.
“Chery’s brand philosophy is to put its customers first, which is exactly what the Omoda 5’s pricing strategy aims to do,” said Chery Australia CEO Andy Zhang. “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.”
Zhang said that the Omoda 5 delivers on both counts [feature-packed and value], with its competitive pricing and a long list of premium features across two seriously well-equipped trim levels.
The Omoda 5 variants come ‘standard’ with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and daytime running lights, keyless entry with push-button and remote engine start, cabin pre-heating and pre-cooling, noise-reducing windscreen with “silent” wipers, synthetic leather seats and dual-zone climate control with rear vents.
On top of that, the base variant has a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, one-touch power windows for all doors, ambient lighting and a twin-screen digital dash (10.25-inch) instrument cluster plus (10.25-inch) central infotainment screen, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless device charging, an eight-speaker Sony stereo and “Hello Chery” voice control.
The EX variant gains red brake callipers and additional upgraded treats. “Omoda” puddle lighting, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, power-adjust passenger seat, powered tailgate, powered sunroof and a 360-degree around-view camera.
Both Omoda 5 models come with a full suite of high-tech safety systems, including the likes of lane change assist, lane departure warning and prevention, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, and automatic emergency braking. And Chery has matched key small SUV players by backing the Omoda 5 with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty plus seven years of roadside assistance and seven years’ capped-price servicing.
