Omoda 7 SHSOmodaOmoda 7 rating: 4/5The Omoda 7 arrives in one of the most competitive corners of the UK car market, taking on established family SUVs such as the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. As the latest model from Chinese manufacturer Omoda, it builds on the smaller Omoda 5 with a larger footprint, more space and a greater emphasis on technology and electrification.With buyers increasingly looking beyond traditional brands for value-packed alternatives, the 7 enters the scene promising plenty of equipment and a compelling price — but it faces the tougher challenge of proving it can match the refinement, driving experience and reputation of its more familiar rivals.What is the Omoda 7?The Omoda 7 is a mid-sized SUV that sits above the Omoda 5 in the brand's growing UK line-up. Measuring around the same size as popular family crossovers such as the Nissan Qashqai, it is designed to appeal to buyers looking for practicality, technology and value in a single package.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the UK, the 7 is offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a petrol engine with electric motors to deliver improved efficiency and the ability to cover shorter journeys on electric power alone. Inside, it follows the current trend for Chinese-built cars, with a minimalist cabin dominated by large screens, premium-style materials and a long list of standard equipment.Omoda 7 price and equipment£32,000 doesn't get you much nowadays, but it does get you a well-equipped 204 bhp plug-in hybrid SUV.As standard, the entry-level Omoda 7 Knight gets a 16-inch touchscreen, wireless CarPlay, a 50W cooled wireless charging pad, keyless entry, and a 540-degree camera system.Omoda 7Spend an additional £3,000, and you'll get 20-inch alloys instead of 19's, a panoraic sunroof, ambient lighting, a 12-speaker audio system, front seat ventilation, a powered tailgate and an in-car fragrance system.AdvertisementAdvertisementAll cars come with a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.Inside the Omoda 7As is the case with most Chinese cars, a centralised touchscreen dominates the 7's dashboard. While the infotainment system features crisp graphics, I found my left hand blocked the right-hand side of the screen; a smaller touchscreen wouldn't go amiss here.Likewise, a lot is happening on-screen. Yes, the mountain wallpaper is pretty, but various miniature windows clutter the screen, and making any on-the-move quick changes is a fairly tiresome affair.Omoda 7Overall interior roominess is generous; I'm no giant at 5'11, but I was more than comfortable up front, and my taller passengers could stretch out in the rear. This is aided by the panoramic sunroof, which, unlike some, doesn't eat into passenger headroom.AdvertisementAdvertisementPop the boot, and you'll find a 630-litre space, which trumps the Jaecoo 7's 440 litres.Driving the Omoda 7Don't expect the Omoda 7 to set your hair alight; the 1.5-litre powerplant will push its 1870kg mass from 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds. Still, that's plenty for the daily commute and the school drop-off. There's also enough oomph for overtaking slower traffic, responding more like an EV whenever the accelerator is floored.Similarly, the 7 rolls a bit through corners, but again, you'll be unlikely to be driving this with gusto unless you're late for a meeting. As a family car, it deals well with large bumps and ruts, feeding little vibration through the cabin, and it's easy enough to manoeuvre through town.Under 40-50mph, the Omoda 7 runs solely on EV power before the petrol engine kicks in. It's not exactly loud either, unlike some rival plug-in hybrids. Therefore, motorway journeys are a breeze.Range and charging the Omoda 7Omoda claims 56 miles of electric range from the 18kWh battery, although I found this to be closer to 45 miles during my testing. Still, that's not to be scoffed at.AdvertisementAdvertisementAll Chery cars I've tested that feature the brand's super-hybrid-system (SHS) technology return great mpg, and the Omoda 7 is no different. Throughout my week with the car, I saw returns of 50mpg, meaning you should get anywhere between 700 and 770 miles from a full tank if you keep the battery topped up.Omoda 7As for charging, the engine charges the battery, but it can also charge via a 40kW public charge point, where most plug-in hybrids are limited to around 7kW.10 to 80 per cent takes around 30 minutes via a 40kW charger, and charging via a 7.4kW wallbox, similar to my Easee One unit, takes just under three hours from empty to full.Omoda 7 verdictIt's really difficult to argue with the Omoda 7, given its bang for buck. The 7 is also easily the most complete car offered in the UK by the brand to date. The plug-in hybrid powertrain is incredibly efficient, there's enough oomph, and its equipment levels are highly competitive across its trims. Topping all this off is the seven-year warranty.AdvertisementAdvertisementI can't help but feel that a few of its rivals, like the Qashqai, offer that little bit more in terms of interior finish and how the car feels on the road. But, for a family looking for a well-equipped, efficient, and practical SUV that won't break the bank, it's a serious proposition.This article was originally published on Forbes.com