ProDriver June 2025 issue final

Make no mistake – the arrival of Chinese brands into the European market is transforming the car landscape. BYD might have grabbed the headlines, but the arrival of another Chinese automaker. Chery, is having just as big an effect.

Chery has been here for less than a year, but it has already launched two brands – Jaecoo and Omoda – and it’s taking a slightly different route to BYD. Instead of focusing on battery-electric cars, hybrids are at the core of the Omoda Jaecoo offering. It makes sense when you realise that Chery is one of the biggest makers and exporters of internal combustion engines, and there are no Chinese regulations putting an end to petrol-engined car sales.

This car, the Omoda 9 SHS, is the third model to hit UK showrooms. The smaller Omoda 6 does come as an EV, but the Omoda 9 is only available as a plug-in hybrid (SHS stands for Special Hybrid System). The same apples to the first Jaecoo model, the Jaecoo 7, which has hit the ground running in the UK, sitting just behind the BYD Seal U atop the UK PHEV sales league table in May 2025.

While BYD has targeted Tesla as its key competitor, Omoda Jaecoo is looking further up the ladder. The company says key rivals for the Omoda 9 are other luxury plug-in SUVs such as the Volvo XC60 and the Range Rover Velar.

This doesn’t mean that Omoda is the more up-market brand. We’re not talking VW-Audi here. Instead, the relationship between the two brands is more like Hyundai and Kia, where the two brands sit at roughly the same place in the market but with different appeals. Jaecoo is the more conservatively styled brand (the Hyundai equivalent) whereas Omoda is more funky alternative.

Omoda 9 is only available with one trim level, one powertrain and one interior colour – any colour you like as long as it’s black. The only options are paint colours. This makes pricing very simple – the Omoda 9 costs £44,990 which puts it into the “luxury” VED band – so you’ll need to factor in an annual £620 charge after the first 12 months. There’s no plan – or indeed, way – to strip out £4,990 of cost from the car.

The Omoda 9’s powertrain is clever. Rather than just bolt an electric motor on to a standard petrol engine, Omoda 9 uses a specially designed engine optimised for use as a hybrid. This is a 1.5-litre TGDI petrol engine, which uses a ‘Deep Miller Cycle’ ignition cycle, which allows for good constant-speed running with low consumption.

This is paired with an advanced three-speed hybrid transmission and two high-performance drive motors that can be operated independently or in combination. In hybrid mode, the engine will engage from 12 mph.

accommodate two suitcases, it’s not 660 litres. Omoda couldn’t clarify the measurement, but we suspect it’s the full boot area from floor to roof.

A sound system with individual speakers in the headrests means driver and passengers can all listen to separate audio feeds simultaneously.

On the road, the Omoda 9 is impressive. It’s very quiet, and the petrol engine switches in almost imperceptibly. This, along with the decent acceleration and planted feel make you feel that you’re driving an EV, not a hybrid.

Omoda 9 is very stable and solid at motorway speed, with very little noise. And it feels nimble enough for a big car on country roads. Electromagnetic suspension uses sensors that adapt the ride to changing surface conditions.

There are several driving modes (also switchable via one of the “jet exhaust” dials) including a number of off-road modes – the Omoda 9 is not just designed as an urban SUV. Normal mode is very smooth, while Eco makes more resistance on the accelerator pedal and more braking and deceleration regen –not so nice to drive, but it’ll help your economy.

DATA

Price as tested £45,990

SPECIFICATION

Engine 1.5-litre petrol plugin hybrid, with dual electric motor

Transmission Three-speed auto, all-wheel drive

Battery 34.46kW Li-Ion

System power 449hp

System torque 700Nm

Top speed 124mph

0-62mph 4.9sec

CO2 emissions 23g/km (WLTP)

Combined range700 miles (WLTP)

Electric range 93 miles (WLTP)

AC charging 0-100% (11kW) 8h

DC Charging 30-80% (70kW) 25min

Length 4,774mm

Width 1,932mm

Height 1,686mm

Wheelbase 2,800mm

Loadspace 660 litres

Turning circle 11.9m

Warranty 7 years/ 100,000 miles

Battery warranty 8 years/ 100,000 miles

Insurance Grp 45

VED Band B+ £620

VERDICT

Another new brand, another SUV-crossover. In this mainstream part of the market, consumers are getting seriously spoilt for choice.

Omoda is aiming high with this vehicle, hoping that a combination of practical performance and a high-quality finish will allow it to compete with the likes of Volvo and Range Rover rather than other more mainstream brands –including other Chinese rivals.

This all depends on how quickly the market takes to new nameplates like Omoda and its sister brand, Jaecoo. Judging by early sales figures, the plan is working. Indeed, evidence suggests that EV buyers, especially those under 40, are more likely to try out new brands.

As a car, there’s much to like about the Omoda 9. Only one specification means the spec is loaded with comfort and safety features. And the PHEV powertrain is very versatile and feels much more like an EV than older hybrids.

Comfort and performance is very good, though like all electrified powertrains there’s a little less engagement than with an ICE drivetrain. It’s at its best as a comfortable cruiser, well suited to the motorway. Our only real concern is the boot space, which felt smaller than claimed, with a relatively high floor.