We get behind the wheel of a bold SUV that sets a new benchmark for plug-in hybrids…
Before we begin, a bit of background about Omoda, which is one half of a “dual brand” created by Chery International – China’s largest vehicle exporter for more than 20 years.
Launched only last year in the UK, there are already some 70 Omoda/Jaecoo retail sites dotted around the country. Chery says the Omoda line-up focuses on “futuristic compact SUVs”, while Jaecoo offers “premium off-roaders”.
The first Omoda model was the Omoda 5 mid-sized family SUV, available with either a 1.6-litre petrol engine or as a 100% electric vehicle (badged Omoda E5).
My focus here is on the next car – the bigger Omoda 9 SHS, which will compete with similarly-sized plug-in hybrid SUVs including the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron, BYD Seal U DM-I and Renault Rafale, plus the more upmarket Lexus RX, Volvo XC60, Mercedes GLC, Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
The Omoda 9 doesn’t just stand out from the crowd because of its distinctive styling – it boasts the longest electric-only range of an PHEV currently on the market.
Thanks to its relatively large 34.46kWh battery, it can travel up to a claimed 93 miles of pure electric driving. Just to put that into perspective, the battery in the cheapest fully electric vehicle currently available (the Dacia Spring city car) is just 26.8kWh.
The Omoda 9 also comes with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine mated to dual electric motors. The result is 443bhp, 516lb ft of torque, a 0-62mph time of just 4.9 seconds, low emissions of 38 g/km, and an impressive total combined driving range of more than 700 miles.
Drive is via all four wheels and a three-speed DHT (Dedicated Hybrid Transmission), which offers alternative gear ratios to maximise efficiency or performance.
And just in case you’re wondering, SHS stands for Super Hybrid System – Omoda-speak for its plug-in hybrid solution.
Priced from £44,990, the Omoda 9 is a class act and delivers a lot of car for the money. The kit list includes the kind of goodies you’d expect in a much more expensive vehicle, including a 540-degree panoramic view camera with transparent view, vegan leather seats, an air purification system, rear reclining seats that are also heated and ventilated, plus a Sony sound system with speakers in the headrests.
It’s well put together with a quality finish, and where there is plastic on show (the upper dashboard and doors), at least it’s soft to the touch. I guess it’s knocking on the door of a premium car, but things like the “aluminium-finished” controls for window and seat adjustments are the giveaway.
Up front in the cabin there’s a good balance of hi-tech minimalism and physical dials for essentials such as climate control and drive modes.
The two-in-one 24.6in infotainment and driver display screen is clear and responsive, though I’d need a week or so to give a proper verdict on its usability.
Inside, it oozes space and if you open up the blind, the 1.3-metre long sunroof is capable of bathing the cabin in sunlight.
Rear passengers have limo-like comfort with loads of head and legroom, while the boot has a useful luggage capacity of 660 litres (expanding to 1,783 litres if you flip the 60/40 rear seats).
However, it’s worth noting that unlike some rivals, the Omoda 9 is not a seven-seater.
There’s a commanding view of the road thanks to the high driving position and visibility is generally good.
That said, I’d prefer to be given the option of sitting a little lower and feeling more involved with the car, while the steering wheel adjustment is limited and I found I had to lower mine in order to see essential information on the driver’s display.
The seats are on the firm side, but the overall refinement in the cabin is very good, partly down to the acoustic glass and Michelin Silent Tyres.
The SHS hybrid system is clever and very slick. It starts on EV power, so pulling away is silent, and when the engine does fire up, it’s pretty quiet. It’s only under heavy acceleration that the petrol engine makes itself heard.
Unlike conventional PHEVs, the Omoda 9’s battery pack never fully discharges, so even once you’ve used most of the electric-only range on offer, the engine acts more like a generator, but the car will still drive like a full hybrid, giving you the best of both worlds.
The transition between EV and HEV, and vice versa, is super smooth, and you can choose whether you want it to run electric-only, hybrid or charging on-the-go (if you’re approaching a city and want to go full EV, for instance), while the gear changes are imperceptible.
On the road it delivers an EV driving feel, with plenty of torque and straight-line speed, and it’s only when it’s pushed in faster, more challenging corners that it starts to feel unsettled.
Ultimately, it’s a relatively heavy, substantial car, so it’s at its best cruising along, soaking up the worst of our roads’ lumps and bumps via its adaptive suspension (the three settings are Normal, Mid and Sport).
The brakes are powerful and effective, and there’s plenty of grip, but would be an exaggeration to call the Omoda 9 it agile.
The choice of six driving modes – Normal, ECO, Sport, Snow, Mud, and Off-road – should give peace of mind, whatever the weather. As ever, Normal delivers the best balance of performance and efficiency.
So, while driving the Omoda 9 won’t necessarily put a smile on your face, it’s a serene cruiser and boasts serious kerb appeal.
If you have a charger at home, then plugging in overnight will replenish the battery. If you stop off on a journey, a rapid connection will recharge the pack from 30-80% in as little as 25 minutes.
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) is also possible, so it is possible to power lights etc for camping or outdoor gatherings, for instance, via a three-pin plug.
Naturally, the Omoda 9 is packed with the latest safety and driver assistance systems, and it’s likely to achieve a maximum five stars in Euro NCAP crashing tests.
Omoda claims the 9 is capable of as much as 201.8mpg, but of course, that makes various assumptions, such as starting every journey with a full battery. The official hybrid mode figure is 43.6mpg, but the reality is that your economy will be somewhere in-between, depending on the length of your journey, driving style and topography. Either way, the Omoda is very economical.
This, and the low emissions, will also appeal to company car drivers, because it sits in the low 6% benefit-in-kind (BiK) tax bracket.
All buyers will appreciate the seven-year/100,000-mile warranty (whichever comes first), with no mileage limit for the first three years, alongside an eight-year battery cover.
I also like the fact that Omoda has kept things simple, unlike so many rivals. There is just one trim level with everything as standard. And unless you choose a colour other than white, £44,990 is what you’ll pay.
Ultimately, the Omoda 9 isn’t perfect, but there’s a lot to like about it, and that price makes it a serious contender, which means it could take sales away from the likes of BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus, as well as more obvious competitors, such as the Skoda Kodiaq.
Verdict: The bold new Omoda 9 SHS is a welcome addition to the plug-in hybrid SUV scene. Competitively priced, spacious, safe, refined, well-built and packed with tech, its clever hybrid system delivers a class-leading electric range.
