We’re at the public preview event of the Omoda C9, by Jaecoo Malaysia. Where’s Chery in the picture? Here’s an explanation before we proceed – both Omoda and Jaecoo are brands under Chery, and the more trendy/upmarket duo are meant to be sold under one roof, away from the more traditional namesake Chery brand.
Malaysia is an exception, though. Chery started its journey in our market with the Omoda 5 before Jaecoo was established here. Jaecoo is positioned as a premium SUV brand, and the Omoda C9 is the most premium product from the Chery group so far in Malaysia, so it’s being sold by Jaecoo Malaysia.
The event setup at 1 Utama has ‘C9 from Jaecoo’ branding, without ‘Omoda’ although there’s no change on the car, which is still an Omoda C9 with matching logos.
According to Jaecoo Malaysia vice president Emily Lek, the branding decision is to simplify the customer journey and reduce confusion, emphasising that the C9 is sold by Jaecoo Malaysia and its dealerships. This more upmarket image and approach is on display at 1 Utama’s new wing from today till Sunday.
What’s the Omoda C9, you ask. Jaecoo is calling it a ‘premium off-road SUV coupe’ and it’s quite a big car. At 4,775 mm long and 1,920 mm wide, the C9’s footprint is 53 mm longer and 60 mm wider than the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, which is a D-segment seven-seater SUV.
Also, this big five-seater’s 2,800 mm wheelbase is nearly 100 mm (90 mm) longer than the Tiggo 8’s. Longer and wider, but lower (-34 mm), giving it muscular proportions. Boot space is a generous 660 litres, expandable to 1,783 litres with the rear seats folded.
Like the Omoda E5 EV, the C9 has the Omoda script on its nose, which sits above a diamond-matrix front air intake grille. Other highlights include ‘Sigma’ daytime running lights that run vertically on the edges of the C9’s face, flush door handles. There are adaptive LED headlamps in front and a full-width LED strip at the back, on the auto-sensing tailgate. What do you think of the C9’s design?
Under that wide hood lies a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine producing 261 PS and 400 Nm of torque. Drive goes to the front (FWD), or all four wheels in the AWD version, via an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. In China, this car is called the Exeed RX and the same engine has 249 PS/385 Nm and is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox driving the front wheels. The Exeed also has a 1.5T plug-in hybrid variant, by the way.
While the C9’s front MacPherson struts and real multi-links are common, the Continuous Damping Control (CDC) adaptive suspension isn’t for an SUV below RM200k. At each corner are 20-inch multi-spoke alloys wrapped with 245/50 Michelin e-Primacy tyres (matching spare wheel and tyre). The C9 2WD gets the usual three drive modes while the AWD comes with four extra off-road-flavoured modes.
There’s a lengthy list of equipment on this upmarket model. You’ll get things like a Tesla-style push-button door release system, rhythmic ambient lighting, a combined 24.6-inch screen and a 14-speaker Sony audio system that has speakers in the driver’s headrest. The air con is a three-zone system with a three-cartridge fragrance system. Choose the scent you want from the big touchscreen. Rear occupants get B-pillar vents.
Also on are air ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed dashboard, shift paddles, head-up display, eight-way powered driver’s seat with memory for six positions, dashcam and a 540-degree surround view camera. The rear seats have a power recline function. There’s also an electric steering column and double-glazed front windows.
Safety wise, the C9 gets eight airbags and a ‘Level 2.5’ ADAS suite with blind spot detection, door opening warning, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, lane change assist and emergency lane keep assist, along with a driver monitoring system, among other things. The C9 could very well be the best-equipped sub-RM200k car in Malaysia.
Besides black and white, the Omoda C9 will also be offered with a stealthy matte grey paint option (RM3,000 extra), which is a first for a locally-assembled vehicle – yes, the C9 is CKD assembled at Chery’s Shah Alam plant. Order books are open and estimated pricing is from RM185,000 for the C9 2WD and RM195,000 for the C9 AWD. The launch will be in December and deliveries will start in early 2025.
What do you think of the Omoda C9’s design and price/package? Check out the car and take it for a spin at the public preview, which is happening at 1 Utama’s new wing till Sunday.
GALLERY: Omoda C9 public preview, 1 Utama
Omoda C9 preview presentation slides
GALLERY: Exeed RX in China
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this time the gantung at behind okay?
the current owners of omoda e5 next time need to service in chery or jaecoo?
Seems like all China cars have the same design… copy each other is it ? Especially hate the seat pattern…. and dual/quad-spoke steering wheel ??
yes, you can see lexus rx and range rover image everywhere, these chinamen really can’t make something original
the back inspired by hr-v?
got jaecoo say taknak to overpriced mercedes and bmw
Is this the “affordable” EV (nearly RM 200k) that PMX promised to the rakyat?
Perodua not jaecoo
it’s not EV.
EV and petrol car also duno how to differentiate still want to show your bodoh-ness here..lol
hope the suspension setup is ok with this, all other cars driven didnt inspire confidence when driving through bends and corner. Having driven the Mazda SUV its quite difficult to find a similar driving experience for an SUV at that price point.
When it comes Chery and Jaecoo can buy without thinking la. Those who owned Cher brand will be stuck with this brand for life. Service and quality is top notch. Join any Chery owners club TT and you will understand how passionate and satisfied they are
So that means you don’t have brain so no need to think. We will think for you.
No brake and patah rear axle..no, thanks
Topu tiruan
actually looks good, but 185k tho better go for Mazda cx-8
Lol..old mindset still stick with jepunis car