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.
Russian-market Omoda C5
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.
Russian-market Omoda C5
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.
As the Asia International Security Summit & Expo (AISSE) 2025’s Official VIP Vehicle Partner, Chery Malaysia is providing 60 SUVs, comprising the Omoda 5, Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro, to ferry distinguished guests and delegates from 15 nations to the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) this January 20-22.
“It is such an honour to be providing our fleet of cars for the inaugural AISSE 2025 event. Our cars incorporate the latest Chery technologies from safety to comfort for both the passenger and driver, while ensuring affordability for consumers and minimizing environmental impact,” said Chery Malaysia vice-president Michael Chew.
AISSE 2025 is set to feature the ASEAN+ Security High Roundtable, co-organised by ASEANAPOL, bringing together home affairs ministers from participating countries and their respective police chiefs to discuss strategic and cross-border security issues. Malaysian PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to deliver the opening address.
The event will bring together 200 security organisations and industry stakeholders from countries including Malaysia, Canada, Hong Kong, Latvia, Singapore, South Korea, United States, Taiwan, Turkey and others. Some 5,000 trade visitors are expected. The Omoda 5, Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro will be displayed there for attendees and available for test drives.
Chery’s most popular model carries a 156 hp/230 Nm 1.5 litre four-cylinder turbo engine and a nine-virtual ratio CVT. Locally-assembled (CKD) from day one, the bold-looking Omoda 5 is a tad larger than the Honda HR-V and very lux inside, with conjoined screens and a high centre console.
Now there’s another reason to buy one – the range-topping H variant is being offered with an up-to-RM13,000 rebate. That means, for a bit over RM100k, you’ll get red highlights on the front lower grille, side mirrors, lower doors, rear spoiler and wheels, plus full faux leather upholstery, a sunroof, eight Sony speakers, powered/ventilated front seats, 360 camera, sequential indicators and a power tailgate – all of these, the C variant doesn’t get.
The C variant is priced at RM99,800 – no promo this round, but you can have yours in the new C-exclusive Bloodstone Red or Vanilla Blue body colours, which are limited to just 150 units each. They’re striking hues, and you’ll still get two 10.25-inch screens with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless phone charging, proximity lock/unlock, ambient lighting, full ADAS and double-glazed windows.
Not forgetting Chery Malaysia’s ‘Great Year-End Lucky Draw’, which offers buyers who register their new vehicle within this month a chance to win prizes worth over RM150,000, including a brand-new Omoda 5 as the grand prize, household appliances, video game consoles and shopping vouchers.
Chery Malaysia has launched its ‘Great Year-End Lucky Draw’, which offers buyers who register their new vehicle within this month a chance to win prizes worth over RM150,000, including a brand-new Omoda 5 as the grand prize, household appliances, video game consoles and shopping vouchers.
“Many shoppers often look forward to December to shop and celebrate their holidays with friends and family. At Chery we want to add a touch of excitement to their year-end festivities by introducing this special lucky draw,” said Chery Auto Malaysia VP Michael Chew.
Specifically, the Omoda E5 EV is covered by a class-leading warranty package that includes seven years/150,000 km on the vehicle, eight years/160,000 km on the battery and eight years/160,000 km on the drive unit (encompassing the motor, motor control unit, battery management system and vehicle control unit).
Not only that – if the battery’s state of health dips below 70% during the warranty period, Chery Malaysia will offer a one-to-one exchange. Meanwhile, the Tiggo 7 Pro, Tiggo 8 Pro and Omoda 5 all come with a seven-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty and five years’ free labour service.
Take a closer look at these vehicles at your nearest Chery showroom or Chery’s 1 Utama festive roadshow, December 4-15, where test drives are available for selected models.
Chery’s upstart Omoda brand has announced a collaboration with Universal Pictures to promote the latter’s new film Wicked, currently in cinemas. The partnership will see the carmaker wrap its Omoda 5 and Omoda E5 in a pink and green wrap respectively, depicting the main characters Glinda and Elphaba.
The customised petrol- and electric-powered B-segment SUVs will be making an appearance globally for enthusiasts and film fans to check out, “building a closer bridge between the brand and its consumers,” Omoda said. In Malaysia, the Chery Omoda 5 in pink (dubbed the Pink Witch Edition) is on display at TGV Pavilion Bukit Jalil from today until December 11; there’s no sign of the Omoda E5 Green Witch Edition going on show as yet.
Wicked is the silver screen adaptation of the wildly successful musical with the same name, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. Oscar-winning Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh plays a supporting role in the movie, as do Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey and Peter Dinklage.
Launched in Malaysia in July last year, the Omoda 5 is priced at RM99,800 for the base C variant and RM118,800 for the top-spec H. Both are powered by a 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 156 PS and 230 Nm of torque, driving the front wheels via a CVT.
Chery Malaysia has issued yet another statement on the Omoda 5 rear axle case. This is the company’s third public statement after the case exploded on social media on April 28. The initial statement was released the day after, acknowledging the issue, with a second one following soon after on April 30, officially issuing a recall on 600 units of the Omoda 5.
The third statement – released today, May 4 – offers a few interesting insights on the issue. Chery Malaysia says it is “working closely with the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to ensure the rectification of all affected vehicles to the highest standards of safety.” It voluntarily arranged a meeting with the MoT to brief them on the matter, according to Lee Wen Hsiang, Chery Auto Malaysia Vice President.
The root cause of the issue has also been identified following a thorough investigation. “Following a comprehensive investigation, the vendor reported that the issue was due to a facility upgrade during which a worn-out tip of the automated welding machine was replaced by a new welding tip. The replacement of the new welding tip resulted in a miscalibration of the equipment,” said Lee.
A total of 60 units of the Omoda 5 in Malaysia has been identified to be using the affected parts, produced on August 15, 2023. Chery Malaysia then decided to cast a wider net and recall vehicles with parts made between August 14 and 17, totalling 600 units. As of yesterday (May 3), Chery Malaysia has contacted 32 of the initial 60 affected owners.
A new website has also been created for owners to confirm whether or not their car is affected by the recall. Chery Malaysia also pledges to release a weekly update to the public on this matter to provide ongoing information about the status of the recall programme.
Statement by Chery Malaysia in full:
Chery Auto Malaysia mobilises precautionary measures to uphold customer safety
Automaker takes responsibility, ensures accountability and transparency in managing the campaign
Kuala Lumpur, 4 May 2024 – Chery Auto Malaysia is striving to keep customers informed about the recent incident involving the axle of an OMODA 5 vehicle. Following a detailed internal investigation, the automaker has recalled a batch of 600 Omoda 5 vehicles and is working closely with the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to ensure the rectification of all affected vehicles to the highest standards of safety.
“Chery Auto Malaysia is committed to providing safe and reliable transportation solutions, and we are dedicated to ensuring that all our vehicles meet the highest safety standards. In line with this commitment, Chery Auto Malaysia voluntarily arranged a meeting to brief the Ministry of Transport (MOT) on the current product inspection status and the root cause involving the Omoda 5 axle incident,” Chery Auto Malaysia Vice President, Lee Wen Hsiang, explained.
The automaker conducted a thorough investigation into the isolated case and reached out to the parts vendor for further clarification. “Following a comprehensive investigation, the vendor reported that the issue was due to a facility upgrade during which a worn-out tip of the automated welding machine was replaced by a new welding tip. The replacement of the new welding tip resulted in a miscalibration of the equipment,” said Lee.
As a direct result, the automaker says that there are a total of 60 units of Omoda 5 vehicles with the affected parts in Malaysia, produced on 15 August 2023. Chery Auto Malaysia has since taken additional precautionary measures by casting a wider net by implementing a special service campaign to call in and inspect OMODA 5 vehicles with rear axles produced between 14 to 17 August 2023, totalling 600 units.
“Chery Auto Malaysia views this matter most seriously as customer safety is our utmost priority. We are in the process of reaching out to customers of the affected Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) to request them to bring their vehicle to our authorised service centres for a detailed inspection.
“We have also set up a website for Omoda 5 users to confirm their vehicles are not affected which can be done by simply keying in their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Our authorised service centres and technicians are well prepared to serve our customers
potentially affected by this,” Lee concluded.
Chery Auto Malaysia has confirmed that no other vehicles by the brand are affected.
As of 3 May 2024, Chery Auto Malaysia has contacted more than 53% (32/60) of the affected owners.
To ensure Chery customers are well informed, a weekly update will be publicly shared to provide ongoing information about the status of the recall programme.
Chery Auto Malaysia thanks all our customers for their patience, understanding and cooperation, and the Ministry of Transport for its advice and guidance in this matter.
For queries kindly contact the Chery Malaysia Customer Careline at +603 – 2771 7070 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm).
At long last, Chery’s return is official. Moments ago, Chery Malaysia officially launched the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro SUVs as the first models in a new era of the brand in Malaysia. TLDR: the Omoda 5 comes in two variants – the C is priced at RM108,800 while the top H is yours for RM118,800. You should read on though, as it’s a unique entrant from a returning brand.
In case you’re wondering about the ‘return’ part, or aren’t old enough to remember, Chery was brought in by Tan Sri Cam Soh Thiam Hong’s Alado in the noughties and we had models like the QQ minicar, Tiggo SUV and Eastar MPV in the ‘Chery Alado’ era. We even had a world debut of a Chery here in 2015!
No local partner this time around, as Chery has decided to do things its own way in a market that’s very difficult to penetrate. Even the mighty BYD has the backing of major player Sime Darby. Also, there will be 31 dealerships at launch, with more opening by the end of 2023. That’s a staggering number that’s probably unprecedented in the Malaysian auto market, based on our memory.
Another sign of bravery is the fact that the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro are launching in CKD form, with no initial small CBU batch to ‘test the waters’ but local assembly at Inokom in Kulim right from the start. This is no small undertaking, as even Proton – with its huge plant, established vendor network and national car status – kickstarted sales of Geely SUVs with CBUs.
A bold approach indeed, which leads nicely into the Omoda 5 you see here. This is a B-segment SUV with expressive design that’s love or hate. Whether you like that wide studded nose or not, it’s attention grabbing, and that’s surely a good thing for a new brand.
The rest of the SUV’s body should be less divisive. It’s a sculpted shape with blacked out rear pillars and a full-width strip for the tail, with Chery spelled out in letters. Very current. Face aside, I see a bit of Lexus in the Omoda 5, which is no bad thing. What do you think?
Size wise, the Omoda 5 is 4,400 mm long and 1,830 mm wide, which is 70 mm longer and 40 mm wider than a Honda HR-V. Sitting on 18-inch wheels, the swoopy body stands at 1,588 mm, which is just two mm shy of the benchmark Honda. The Chery’s 2,630 mm wheelbase is 20 mm longer than the HR-V’s. It just occurred to me that the Omoda 5’s highly-sculpted shape and loud details is a polar opposite to the latest HR-V’s straight lines and clean design. Which is more you?
The Omoda 5’s dashboard is similarly on-trend, sporting co-joined screens pioneered by Mercedes-Benz and a high centre console. Although it looks nicely minimalist, you don’t have to dive into the touchscreen for vital controls such as AC functions, which are stealthily embedded in the trim – a nice touch.
Pop the hood (struts, by the way) and you’ll find a 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 156 hp (115 kW) and 230 Nm of torque, hence the 230T badge. Drive goes to the front wheels via a CVT with nine virtual ratios. To counter negative perceptions of Chinese products or reliability concerns, Chery Malaysia is offering a 10-year/1-million km warranty.
Output wise, where does Chery’s in-house 1.5T stand? The HR-V’s 1.5L VTEC Turbo four-pot makes 181 PS (178 hp) and 240 Nm, while the X50’s 1.5L turbocharged three-cylinder generates 177 PS (174 hp) and 255 Nm in TGDi form (Flagship variant) or 150 PS (148 hp) and 226 Nm in PFI guise. The HR-V uses a CVT while the X50 goes the DCT route. By the way, in China, there’s an Omoda 5 variant with a 194 hp/290 Nm 1.6T with a seven-speed DCT.
We come to specs, and the Omoda 5 is well-kitted even in the lower of two trim levels, which is called C. The two 10.25-inch dashboard screens are standard, and the infotainment comes with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto too. There’s also wireless charging and your phone rests on an angle for easy viewing. Ambient lighting, dual-zone air con with PM 2.5 filter, reverse camera, auto dimming rear view mirror, heated wing mirrors and proximity sensor keyless entry are also included. And how about double-glazed windows to boost NVH performance?
Go for the top spec H and Chery adds on full faux leather upholstery (fabric combo in C), a sunroof (manual sunshade) and an eight-speaker Sony sound system (unbranded six speakers in C). The H also gets powered and ventilated front seats (manual in C) and a powered tailgate. There’s also a 360-degree camera system to aid parking.
From the outside, the C and H are separated by the high-spec car’s red highlights on the front lower grille, side mirrors, lower doors and rear spoiler too. It’s rare for a colour trim pack to also include the wheels, but Chery has done so for the Omoda 5 H. The headlamps, tail lamps and DRLs are LEDs across the board, but the H gains sequential signals and a front/rear light show upon start up.
Safety wise, the full ADAS driver assist pack is standard for both, and it includes lane departure warning and prevention, blind spot detection, emergency lane keeping, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with low speed follow, front collision warning and AEB, and auto high beam. There’s also hillstart assist, hill descent control and tyre pressure monitoring.
Click to enlarge brochure
Colour options are safe – you can only choose from Khaki White, Phantom Grey and Dark Black. As mentioned, H models get red highlights. If you go with the white H, there’s an option of a black roof for RM2,000 extra. Once again, the Omoda 5 starts from RM108,800 for the C and the H you see here goes for RM118,800. The Khaki White + black roof option is RM120,800. For reference, the Proton X50 Flagship retails for RM113,300) and the HR-V Turbo V goes for RM135,900.
Chery Malaysia also unveiled its warranty package tonight, and it’s seven years or 150,000 km for the vehicle, plus five years of free service (alternating, free labour). The engine warranty is a whopping 10 years or one million km. But the catch is that the headline-grabbing engine warranty is for the first 3,000 customers. After that it reverts to seven years/150,000 km, joining the rest of the vehicle. But if you really want the 10y/1m package, top up RM2,000 for an extended warranty package.
So, what do you think of this Chery’s looks and price/package? A battery-powered EV version is coming soon.
The Malaysian car market, especially the already crowded SUV space, is about to get hotter real soon. Chinese carmakers have our market in their sights and are preparing to take the fight to B-segment bulk sellers Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross and the Proton X50.
In many ways, the latter – which let’s not forget, is their peer, just with a Malaysian badge – showed that Malaysians can accept Chinese cars with modern design and specs, at lower than Japanese prices. Great Wall Motor will be bringing its Haval SUVs in, as previewed at last week’s Malaysia Autoshow, but Chery is much further ahead of the curve.
The Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro will be launching in June/July and both SUVs will debut in CKD form – yup, no initial small CBU batch to ‘test the waters’ but local assembly (at Inokom in Kulim, Kedah) right from the start, with full EVs and plug-in hybrids lined up for the second wave. Another bold move is Chery doing Malaysia – a very difficult market to penetrate – alone and without a local partner. Even the mighty BYD has Sime Darby.
Not sure which is bolder, Chery going it alone in Malaysia or the Omoda 5’s studded nose, which is something you’ll either love or hate. The rest of the SUV’s body should be less divisive. It’s a sculpted shape with blacked out rear pillars and a full-width strip for the tail, with Chery spelled out in letters. Very current. Face aside, I see a bit of Lexus in the Omoda 5, which is no bad thing. What do you think?
The Omoda 5’s dashboard is similarly on-trend, sporting co-joined screens pioneered by Mercedes-Benz and a high centre console. Although it’s nicely minimalist, you don’t have to dive into the touchscreen for vital controls such as AC functions, which are stealthily embedded in the trim.
Chery is perhaps the most international-minded Chinese OEM, and the Omoda 5 gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless too, and your phone rests on an angle for easy viewing. Speaking of phones, there’s also wireless charging. Also included are a sunroof (manual sunshade) and an eight-speaker Sony sound system. And how about double-glazed windows to boost NVH?
There’s more, so join the full tour in the video, where Hafriz Shah also praises Chery’s right-hand drive conversion, which is better than Geely-Proton’s efforts.
Pop the hood (struts) and you’ll find a 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 154 hp (115 kW) and 230 Nm of torque, hence the 230T badge. Drive goes to the front wheels via a CVT with nine virtual ratios. We can confirm that the engine will get Chery’s 10-year/1,000,000-km warranty, which should put to bed reliability concerns.
Where does Chery’s in-house 1.5T stand on paper? The HR-V’s 1.5L VTEC Turbo four-pot makes 181 PS (178 hp) and 240 Nm, while the X50’s 1.5L turbocharged three-cylinder generates 177 PS (174 hp) and 255 Nm in TGDi form (Flagship variant) or 150 PS (148 hp) and 226 Nm in PFI guise. The HR-V uses a CVT while the X50 goes the DCT route. Our man runs an X50 Flagship, so what does he think of the Omoda’s powertrain? Watch the video.
Buyers will get a lot of specs and design for the money, but at what money? This fully-loaded top-spec version will be priced between the X50 Flagship (RM113,300) and HR-V Turbo V (RM134,800), and we’re anticipating the RRP to be closer to the Proton than the Honda. Do we see some raised eyebrows? The official launch is just around the corner now, so stay tuned.
The Chery Omoda 5 is a compact SUV that will be launched in Malaysia to compete against the Honda HR-V and Proton X50. Before that happens, we’re bringing you a full gallery of the model that is on track to go on sale sometime in the second quarter of this year.
Measuring 4,400 mm long, 1,830 mm wide, 1,585 mm tall and with a wheelbase that spans 2,630 mm, the Omoda 5 is a little larger when compared to its named rivals. For context, the Honda HR-V is up to 4,385 mm long, 1,790 mm wide, 1,590 mm tall and its wheelbase is 2,610 mm long, while the X50 is 4,330 mm long, 1,800 mm wide, 1,609 mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm.
Under the bonnet, the Malaysian-spec Chery model features a 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 147 PS (145 hp) and 230 Nm of torque, with drive going to the front wheels via a CVT. We can confirm that the engine will get Chery’s 10-year/1,000,000-km warranty, which is a standout in the market.
If you’re curious how the Omoda 5’s 230T powertrain stacks up against the turbocharged competition, the HR-V’s 1.5 litre VTEC Turbo four-cylinder makes 181 PS (178 hp) and 240 Nm, while the X50’s 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder serves up either 177 PS (174 hp) and 255 Nm in TGDi form or 150 PS (148 hp) and 226 in PFI guise.
The Omoda 5 showcases Chery’s Art in Motion design philosophy, with highlights being a large and borderless front grille that blends seamlessly with slim LED daytime running lights. The main LED headlamps are located closer to the edges of the front bumper under the DRLs, and at the rear, you’ll find wide-width taillights with the Chery script on the trim linking the clusters.
Inside, the horizontal wide dashboard plays host to a digital instrument cluster as well as a central touchscreen, both measuring 10.25 inches. The latter is for the car’s infotainment system that impressively supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while also linked to an eight-speaker Sony sound system.
Touch-sensitive buttons are used for the automatic air-conditioning system (with rear vents), and they are located just beneath the central air vents. Below that is a wireless charger that leads to the two-tier centre console which houses USB ports, a gear selector, electronic parking brake (with auto brake hold), a media dial and buttons for the around-view monitor, infotainment home screen, drive modes and hazard lights.
Boot space is 360 litres, inclusive of underfloor storage, and is expandable to 1,075 litres with the 60:40 split-folding seats down. The boot area also has a removable tonneau cover as well as a space saver spare tyre.
In terms of kit, this Omoda 5 comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels with red accents on the spokes and 215/55 profile GitiComfort F50 tyres, keyless entry and engine start, a powered sunroof, a powered tailgate, leather upholstery, powered front seats as well as front and rear armrests. As for safety and driver assistance, there are six airbags, the usual array of passive systems, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and autonomous emergency braking.
We were told the specifications and equipment found on this car will be exactly what we’ll be getting when the Omoda 5 is launched here. The SUV will be a locally-assembled (CKD) model from the start, and as for the all-important pricing, we weren’t provided with any figure(s) for now.
The only bit of info disclosed to us is the top-spec variant of the Omoda 5 will be between the X50 and HR-V, albeit leaning closer to the Proton rather than the Honda. For context, the highest variant of the HR-V with the VTEC Turbo engine – the V – currently sells for RM134,800 while the X50 in its top Flagship guise retails for RM113,300. Between those two prices, will you consider the Omoda 5 if you’re in the market for a B-segment SUV?
Chinese carmaker Chery is reportedly in the final steps of contract assembly negotiations with Inokom for the latter to assemble its models in Malaysia. This was reported by The Edge last week, with the publication also saying that the Sime Darby subsidiary was also set to locally assemble selected Jaguar Land Rover models.
The mention of Chery utilising Inokom as its local assembly partner falls in line with earlier indications that its CKD production would be in Kulim. The automaker has also previously stated that the plant that would assemble its vehicles will have a build capacity of 30,000 units a year. The Inokom assembly plant has the capacity to produce 38,000 units a year.
Chery is set to make its return to the Malaysian market later this year, with the Tiggo 8 Pro and Omoda 5 SUVs leading the way back in for the brand. Set for a Q2 introduction, the brand has updated its timeline for this, indicating that both models – which were previewed here late last year – are targeted to begin production here by the end of June, with the market launch expected to be sometime towards the end of July.
The Tiggo 8 is a seven-seat SUV that will be powered by a 2.0 litre four-cylinder TGDi turbocharged petrol engine for our market. Offering 254 hp and 390 Nm in the way of output, the mill will be paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The company has stated that a PHEV version will be introduced in Malaysia next year.
As for the Omoda 5, Malaysia will be the first right-hand drive market for the B-segment SUV. In China, the model is available with a 194 hp/290 Nm 1.6 litre turbo petrol with seven-speed DCT and AWD as well as a 154 hp/230 Nm 2WD 1.5 litre turbo petrol paired with a CVT, which was what was seen on the preview example last year.
The Chery Omoda 5 has been sighted on Malaysian roads yet again, with this camouflaged example being spotted by Twitter user @knz_mp_ wearing the same trade plate as previous sightings. The Chinese brand B-segment SUV was previewed here last October and will be launched sometime in the second quarter of 2023.
As previously reported, the Omoda 5 will arrive as a locally-assembled (CKD) model from the start, with Malaysia set to be first right-hand drive market for the SUV. When it goes on sale, the Omoda 5 will compete against big nameplates like the Honda HR-V and Proton X50.
In terms of dimensions, the Chery measures 4,400 mm long, 1,830 mm wide, 1,585 mm tall and has a wheelbase spanning 2,630 mm. Both the HR-V and X50 aren’t far off when it comes to exterior dimensions but the Omoda 5 wins when it comes to wheelbase (HR-V: 2,610 mm; X50: 2,600 mm).
In its home market of China, the Omoda 5 is offered with a 1.6 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 197 PS (194 hp or 145 kW) and 290 Nm of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
There’s also a 1.5 litre turbo-four that makes 156 PS (154 hp or 115 kW) and 230 Nm, which is paired with a CVT featuring nine virtual speeds. The smaller engine was found in the car previewed last October, although it might not reflect what we’ll get. We’ll have to wait until Q2 of this year to find out exactly what’s in store for us. Looking forward to it?
Chinese carmaker Chery is making its return to the Malaysian market, and along with its push to make Malaysia its right-hand-drive and ASEAN regional base, it plans to locally assemble fully electric and plug-in hybrid models in the country by 2024, the carmaker has revealed.
A host of SUVs from Chery has been earmarked for launch in Malaysia such as the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro, while the Tiggo 4 Pro and Tiggo 7 Pro SUVs were previously shown in Malaysia. Those that will arrive, will be locally assembled, and be developed in RHD guise from the outset.
With plans for Chery to make Malaysia its regional base, the fully electric and plug-in hybrid models set for local assembly could likely be the Omoda 5 EV, which has been tipped to offer a WLTP-rated range of 450 km from its 64 kWh battery, powering a 204 PS/400 Nm electric motor. Fast charging from 0-80% state of charge is possible in a claimed 40 minutes.
Shown in regular internal combustion and plug-in hybrid powertrain guises, the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro in PHEV guise features a1.5 litre turbo engine with a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) and dual motors for 241 hp and 510 Nm of torque. This will enables a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 8.2 seconds, and a pure EV range of up to 80 km.
Of the internal combustion engine options, the Tiggo 8 Pro seven-seater was also previewed in Malaysia with a 2.0 litre turbo petrol four-cylinder producing 254 hp and 390 Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Also available in other markets is a 194 hp/290 Nm 1.6 litre turbo petrol, which also powers the Omoda 5.
The Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 4 Pro were previewed in Malaysia
As part of the brand’s relaunch in mid-2023, Chery will establish more than 30 outlets across the country, and the aforementioned setting up of its ASEAN regional base for research and development in Malaysia will be part of its initial RM170 million investment plan.
Chery selected Malaysia over Thailand as its regional base for our market’s high acceptance of Chinese car brands, through the Proton-Geely partnership and as demonstrated by the success of the Proton X70 and X50 that resulted.
In addition to the carmaker’s preference due to the market’s inclination, Chery also chose Malaysia to be its regional headquarters for the relatively high purchasing power of its customer base, added to which are the incentives from the government that welcomes new investments from foreign companies.
The Chery Omoda 5 will be arriving in the Malaysian market by the second quarter of next year, and the SUV will be locally assembled from the outset. This will also make Malaysia the first right-hand-drive market for the Omoda 5, with the news confirmed by vice president of Chery International Shawn Xu, who is also the president of the ASEAN market for the carmaker.
Previewed in Malaysia in October this year, the Omoda 5 is among a range of SUVs from Chery that has been earmarked for arrival in the Malaysian market, alongside the Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro SUVs.
In its first official event in its return to the Malaysian market, Chery previewed the aforementioned SUVs following news in December 2021 that the Chinese carmaker is set to make its relaunch in Malaysia.
At present, all research and development work for right-hand-drive Chery models are carried out in China, though this is set to shift to Malaysia as the carmaker plans to make the country its headquarters for the ASEAN region and for right-hand-drive markets, beginning with an initial investment plan at RM170 million, the company told paultan.org.
In terms of the Chinese brand’s broader ASEAN market direction, paultan.org understands that Chery chose Malaysia as its ASEAN base of operations over Thailand for a number of reasons.
The carmaker finds that market acceptance of brands originating from China is high following the Geely-Proton tie-up and the range of products such as the X70 and X50 SUVs that followed, and that the Malaysian market boasts of relatively high buying power.
Additionally, a range of government incentives also made it conducive for Chery to operate its regional base in Malaysia, which the carmaker finds to be very welcoming of new investments, paultan.org understands.
The Chery Omoda 5 is a B-segment SUV that will compete with the likes of the Honda HR-V and the Proton X50, with the Omoda 5 measuring 4,400 mm long and 1,830 mm wide, making it 15 mm longer and 40 mm wider than Honda’s entry in the segment. The Omoda 5 stands 1,585 mm tall, or 5mm lower than the HR-V, with a 20 mm longer wheelbase at 2,630 mm.
There are seven variants of the Chery Omoda 5 in its native China, such as a 194 hp/290 Nm 1.6 litre turbo petrol with seven-speed DCT and a 2WD 1.5 litre turbo petrol paired with a CVT for internal combustion models. There is also a fully electric version of the Omoda 5 in its range, and this could also come to Malaysia, given the company’s plans to locally assemble fully electric and plug-in hybrid models.
The Chery Omoda 5 has scored the full five-star rating in the Euro New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) crash test. The variant tested was specified with the 1.6 litre turbocharged engine and 4X2 drivetrain, and the rating applies for both left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive versions.
Here, the Omoda 5 scored 87% in the adult occupant protection category, 87% in the child occupant protection category, 68% in the vulnerable road users protection category, and 88% in the safety assist systems category.
In terms of frontal crash protection, the Omoda 5 gets frontal airbags for the driver and front passenger, while seat belt pretensioners and load limiters are fitted to the seats for all occupants, including those in the rear. For lateral crash protection, all occupants get side head airbags, while the driver and front passenger get side chest airbags, side pelvis airbags and a centre airbag.
For child occupant protection, the Omoda 5 scored 23.7 out of a possible 24 points in crash test performance, seven out of a possible 13 points in safety features, and the full 12 out of possible 12 points for the CRS (child restraint system) installation.
For vulnerable road users protection, the Omoda 5 scored 68%, for which Euro NCAP noted 15.3 points for head impact, 1.4 points for pelvis impact, and 6.0 points for leg impact protection for a struck pedestrian. The diagram noted ‘Good’ and ‘Adequate’ protection for the lower front bumper and bonnet regions, although it scored a ‘Poor’ rating for the leading edge of the bonnet and along the A-pillars.
The Omoda 5 scored better for safety assistance systems, scoring 88% in total for this section. Its systems received ‘Good’ ratings for emergency lane keeping, lane keep assist and human-machine interface sections.
Euro NCAP found that the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system on the Omoda 5 performed well in reacting to other vehicles, and that its lane support system corrects the vehicle’s path gently if it drifts out of its lane, and also intervenes in some, more critical situations.
In this report, Euro NCAP also noted that the Omoda 5 speed assistance system uses a camera as well as digital mapping to determine the local speed limit, which then allows its driver to let the car adapt its limiter as appropriate.
In Malaysia, the Chery Omoda 5 was previewed in October this year as a 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol mated to a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel-drive; in China, the Omoda 5 is also available with a 194 hp/290 Nm 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol engine paired to a seven-speed DCT and all-wheel-drive.
As you would have heard by now, Chery is back in Malaysia after a long sabbatical, and the Chinese carmaker held a preview for the media and business partners at Setia Alam today. It was the returning brand’s first event.
The brand – which some might remember for the bug eyed QQ minicar and budget Eastar MPV from its first outing here – is now all about SUVs. Models earmarked for Malaysia include the Tiggo Pro range of SUVs (4, 7 and 8) and this striking thing called the Omoda 5.
It might not be obvious at first glance, but the Chery Omoda 5 is a B-segment SUV that’s about the size of the Honda HR-V and Proton X50. The footprint of that swoopy shape is 4,400 mm long and 1,830 mm wide, which is 15 mm longer and 40 mm wider than the current HR-V. At 1,585 mm tall, it’s 5 mm lower than Honda’s B-SUV, and the Chery’s 2,630 mm wheelbase is 20 mm longer. In the same ballpark.
In China, the Omoda 5 has seven variants including some with the 1.6 litre TGDI engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and AWD. The 194 hp/290 Nm 1.6T is good for 0-100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. There’s also a more economical 2WD 1.5 litre TCI + 9CVT powertrain with 154 hp/230 Nm, and the car you see here has this combo. How do we know? Look for the tailgate badge. The ‘230’ is the torque figure.
The Omoda 5 will also have a new energy (China’s term for electrified cars) version in its home market, with the firm’s plug-in hybrid powertrain as seen in the Tiggo 8 Pro e+. Chery also has plans for a full-electric Omoda 5 EV with a 64 kWh battery and 450 km range. More pertinent for Malaysians, at least for the marque’s launch model, is the 1.6T ICE.
The figures are par for the course, but the selling point of this “futuristic fastback crossover” is its “Art in Motion” design. I see some Hyundai in the front and a hint of Lexus RX at the rearmost pillars, but there’s no one particular SUV that the Omoda 5 references. What it does is provide a big dose of drama in the B-SUV segment, unseen since the Toyota C-HR.
Step inside Chery’s latest and your jaw will remain low. The Omoda 5’s seats look very sporty with their integrated headrests, and the dashboard design modern and minimalist. The Mercedes-Benz-style digital instrument panel and infotainment screen combo is branded as a 20.5-inch dual screen, and the horizontal AC vent strip is also contemporary.
There’s a flat-bottomed steering wheel with the Chery script (instead of the logo on the Tiggos) and there’s a high centre console to complete the cockpit feel. The latter creates a pass through below the gear lever that’s also a storage area, but what I find unique is the angle of the phone recess – it holds two phones vertically and the angle allows for easy viewing.
One can choose from 64 ambient light colours and the illumination follows the pulse of the music. Speaking of that, light is embedded in the trim strip below the AC vents, and so are the AC controls – very neat.
It’s a car of today, so the Omoda 5’s kit list includes all the essentials. You’ll find voice control, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 360-degree around view monitor, and full ADAS suite with six airbags. Sunroofs are important in China and there’s one here. The main dashboard moulding and upper door caps are in soft plastic and the seats are in leather. Look closely and you’ll see Sony branding on the speakers.
So, what do you think of the Chery Omoda 5? As if the design isn’t striking enough, this demo unit comes with a novel pastel green body with a white roof and all-black blade-style 18-inch wheels. A Honda HR-V Turbo V (the most popular variant) goes for RM134,800 and the top RS Hybrid is RM140,800. At what price would the Omoda 5 be competitive in our market?
By the way, this unit does not represent the eventual local specs that Malaysia will get – planning is still in the early stages and no launch timeline was given. The preview was to show Chery’s intent and showcase its latest products.
