After a hiatus, Chery is coming back to Australia, and it has a cunning plan for world domination. It is reentering the local market with a rather nice looking small SUV for under $40,000. How much under $40,000 we can’t say, with local pricing not yet finalised.

In a darkened space more akin to an exclusive be-roped underground club, Chery revealed the Omoda 5. Local management laid out the plans for the release of several future models, as well as a bigger engine and EV drivetrain of the Omoda 5.

It all looks good so far.

Unlike the last round, Chery is a fully furnished version of the Chinese parent company, instead of being imported by ATECO. ATECO still exists as an importer of RAM Trucks, Renault, LDV, Alpine and Maserati.

The company was formed a little over 20 years ago and has since become a large manufacturer, moving 1.3 million units last year. After deciding to move back into the right hand drive market, Chery set sail for down-under.

Video1 MINUTE  Review: 2023 Chery Omoda 5 1 Minute Review

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ABOVE: 2023 Chery Omoda 5 Australian Launch

What we know so far:

Omoda 5 will launch with 2 models, the Omoda 5,

  • 5T 4cyl Petrol Engine
  • Front Wheel Drive
  • 18” Alloy Wheels
  • Drivers 6-way power seat adjustment
  • PU & PVC Seat
  • Dual 10.25” borderless touch screen/Instrument Cluster
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Autro
  • Wireless mobile phone charging
  • Proximity Key/Drivers door, Push button Start, Remote Engine Start
  • Intelligent headlamp control
  • Auto on/off LED headlights
  • High beam assist
  • LED taillamps & directional indicators
  • Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS) -16 features
  • Euro NCAP 5 Star Safety Rating *Nov 2022

and Omoda 5 EX adding

  • Power sunroof
  • Power tailgate
  • 360 round view camera
  • Passenger seat 4 way power adjustment
  • Front seat heating
  • Steering wheel heating
  • Red Brake callipers
  • Driver & passenger sun visor with illumination
  • “Omoda” LED puddle lamps
  • Exterior LED welcoming lights (front and rear headlights)
  • Second row ambient light

The 1.5L turbo petrol engine has a modest 110kw, fuel consumption of 6.9L/100k and uses a “9 speed” CVT automatic driving the front wheels.

Without a drive, the static display put the Omoda 5 it the best light. The impressive exterior wraps around a well-designed cabin with twin LCD displays. There is some hard plastic about, but the quality is difficult to assess in dim light. Gay buyers like quality, no matter the price.

There is a 7 yr warranty and roadside assist, and 7 years of capped price servicing. 40 dealers have been signed already, with a total of 60 anticipated on launch.

Chery is aiming for 8% of the market segment, around 10,000 cars. Time will tell.

When asked who Chery considers as its opposition, management replied, “anyone with an SUV range and anyone with a compact SUV under 40 grand.” That’s an awful lot of competition in a market that is not only one of the most saturated, but one in which existing players fiercely protect their territory.

Chery is so new, they don’t even have a live website. Orders are expected to commence sometime in February with deliveries in March. That’s a tall order, but Chery insists it has no supply-chain problems. The only issues may come with shipping.

What we hope for:

  • A comfortable drive with enough power to make daily use pleasurable.
  • Decent sound via the audio system (with wireless Apple CarPlay etc)
  • Good fuel economy considering the small power plant.
  • The plastic to look decent in daylight

We’ll bring you more in a few weeks, after we’ve given Omoda 5 a thorough seeing-to.

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