All-new Chinese small SUV will start below $30,000 and come with a five-star NCAP safety rating
The 2023 Chery Omoda 5 will come with a starting price of just $29,900 plus on-road costs when it enters local showrooms later this month, backed by a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.
Two variants of the first model to be sold in Australia by the Chinese car-maker since 2015 will be offered here from launch, comprising the entry-level BX and upper-tier EX, which will retail for $32,500 plus ORCs.
Both versions of the all-new small SUV will be powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine outputting 115kW/230Nm and driving the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
However, a gutsier 1.6-litre turbo engine is also slated to join the range later this year, offering close to 145kW/290Nm and all-wheel drive.
Fuel consumption is rated at 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle for both 1.5-litre front-drive variants.
The staggered rollout of powertrains and the industry-leading seven-year warranty mimics the strategy of MG Motor Australia, which initially launched the MG HS mid-size SUV here exclusively with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and then added 2.0-litre turbo power later in the product lifecycle.
The Omoda 5’s competitive pricing and outputs put it in good stead alongside the expansive crop of established compact SUVs including the Hyundai Kona (from $26,900), Kia Seltos ($29,500), Mazda CX-30 ($30,210), Mitsubishi ASX ($23,990), Nissan QASHQAI ($33,890), the new Subaru Crosstrek (the only model here with AWD as standard, priced from $33,990) and Toyota C-HR ($31,715) and Corolla Cross ($33,000),
Chery Australia quotes difference drive-away pricing for each state and territory, but for as little as $31,990 drive-away in the ACT, the Omoda 5 undercuts all of its competitors except fellow Chinese models in the Haval Jolion (from $28,490 drive-away) and the top-selling MG ZS ($22,990 drive-away), plus the SsangYong Tivoli ($31,990 drive-away) and Suzuki Vitara ($26,490 plus ORCs).
Its value is further enhanced when the level of standard equipment is factored in, with BX highlights including a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touch-screen with wireless smartphone charging and mirroring, voice recognition and an eight-speaker Sony sound system.
Also standard at base level are 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, faux leather trim and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Spend an extra $2600 for the EX flagship and you’ll nab a powered passenger seat, tailgate and sunroof, plus a heated steering wheel and front seats, 360-degree camera, LED ambient lighting, red trim accents, puddle lamps and red brake callipers.
The Omoda 5 hasn’t been crash tested locally yet but has been awarded a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating thanks to its suite of active safety features including autonomous emergency braking, traffic jam assist, lane departure warning and prevention, front collision warning, driver monitoring and emergency lane keeping systems, in addition to seven airbags.
“The Chery Omoda 5 is everything Australians are looking for in a sleek and stylish SUV,” Chery Australia CEO Andy Zhang said in a statement.
“It pairs fun-to-drive dynamics with a premium look and feel, a high-tech cabin experience and world-class safety.
“I trust Australian drivers will find a lot to love about the Omoda 5, and the rest of the Chery range.”
The Omoda 5 BX and EX trim levels will be joined in local showrooms later this year by the EX+ and EX+ AWD variants, as well as the bigger Chery Tiggo 7 Pro and seven-seat Tiggo 8 Pro medium SUVs.
A battery-electric version of the Omoda 5 – the Omoda 5 EV – will aim directly at the ZS EV and Kona Electric when it arrives here sometime in 2024.
How much does the 2023 Chery Omoda 5 cost?
BX – $29,900
EX – $32,500
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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Keyword: Chery Omoda 5 competitively priced