Chery Omoda 5 facelift renamed Chery C5 in Australia – multilink rear suspension, 6-speed DCT now fitted

Having made its debut in Russia last year, the facelifted Chery Omoda 5 is now set to hit showrooms in Australia this month – but with a twist. Rather than spinning off the SUV into the separate Omoda & Jaecoo banner (as has already been done in a few other markets), the Chinese carmaker has gone the opposite direction Down Under, ditching the Omoda moniker and badging it as simply the Chery C5.

Beyond the (yet another) confusing rebrand, the refreshed model is exactly as we saw in Russia, sporting new arrow-shaped LED daytime running light “eyebrows” joined by a black bar (hastily Photoshopped with the Chery script in these images), body-coloured grille “pins” and an X-shaped front bumper.

There’s also a new design for the black 18-inch wheels, along with the ditching of the original model’s divisive red highlights on the bumpers, door mirrors, rocker panels, tailgate spoiler and wheels – these have now been refinished in black.

No photos of the interior, but based on images of the Russian-market car, the C5 should carry over its predecessor’s cabin – its full-width air vent design, widescreen display panel with twin 10.25-inch screens, touch-based air-con controls, stubby gear selector and bucket-style seats with integrated headrests are all expected to be carried over wholesale from the original Omoda 5.

In terms of kit, you still get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front acoustic glass windows, an available eight-speaker Sony sound system, a sunroof, a 360-degree camera setup and a full complement of driver assists.

At launch, the sole engine option remains the 147 PS/230 Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, but the CVT has been ditched in favour of a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. There’s another mechanical change in the shape of multilink rear suspension (shared with the electric Omoda E5, now also rechristened the Chery E5), replacing the much-maligned torsion beam setup.

Bucking conventional wisdom, the switch doesn’t appear to have impacted boot space – in fact, cargo room has increased by 45 litres to 370 litres. The C5 will be priced starting at AU$29,990 (RM82,700) driveaway for the base Urban trim, rising up to AU$34,990 (RM96,500) for the top-spec Ultimate.

The reengineering of the facelifted Omoda 5/C5 explains why it has taken this long for the car to reach right-hand-drive markets. Will the new nomenclature come to Malaysia, too? It would certainly help with the streamlining of the Omoda and Jaecoo brands, as the car’s entry-level positioning is at odds with the duo’s more upmarket aspirations.

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