There has been a flurry of new car brands arriving in the UK of late, but among them Omoda has to rank as one of the most exciting. With their striking design, advanced driver tech and competitive pricing, the Omoda 5 range is aimed directly at those seeking a fresh alternative to mainstream compact crossovers such as the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. Omoda rather boldly calls its styling “Art in Motion”, but there’s no denying that it looks quite sharp, has a high-tech interior, and comes with astonishing equipment levels for the price. The E5 variant brings zero-emission motoring to the line-up, further broadening its appeal against rivals such as the MG S6 and BYD Atto 3.
The Omoda 5 and E5 arrived as fresh faces in the crowded crossover market, but thanks to their head-turning looks, generous kit, strong safety kit and a massive focus on growing a respected dealer network, they’ve disrupted the market. The E5’s electric range and rapid charging, in particular, make it a strong contender among affordable EVs.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioA brand-new Omoda 5 starts from £23,990 for the entry-level Comfort trim, rising to £27,400 for the range-topping Noble. The all-electric Omoda E5 starts from £33,065, undercutting many established rivals. All variants are well-equipped, with only a handful of options and accessories available. There are very few used Omodas on the market yet, but those that do tend to start at around £20,000.
The Omoda 5 is offered with a choice of petrol engines: a 1.5-litre turbocharged unit producing 147bhp and a more powerful 1.6-litre turbo with 197bhp, both front-wheel drive. The 1.5 achieves 0-62 mph in 9.9 seconds, while the 1.6 shaves this to 7.8 seconds. The E5 electric variant features a single front-mounted motor delivering 201bhp and 340Nm of torque, accelerating from 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds. The E5’s 61kWh battery enables a WLTP range of up to 273 miles. All feature automatic transmission – the 1.5 having a CVT unit and the 1.6 a dual clutch system similar to a Volkswagen DSG gearbox. The E5 has a single-speed transmission. The E5 supports rapid charging up to 80 kW DC, allowing a 30-80% top-up in roughly 30 minutes, while a 7 kW home wallbox will recharge the battery in just under 10 hours.
On the road, the Omoda 5 impresses with its light, accurate steering and confidence-inspiring driving position. Urban driving is aided by a tight turning circle, elevated seating, and good visibility through the front and sides, although the sloping rear window and thick C-pillars can obscure rearward vision – a reversing camera and sensors are standard across the range. At motorway speeds, both petrol and electric models feel stable and secure, with the E5 offering near-silent cruising and strong acceleration for overtaking. The Omoda 5’s suspension is tuned for a sporty feel, which means it remains composed through corners, though it can transmit bumps into the cabin over rougher tarmac, particularly on larger wheels.
Omoda has struck a decent balance between agility and comfort, with the 5’s chassis delivering predictable handling and good body control – which may surprise you from a fledgling Chinese brand. The E5’s battery pack is mounted low, helping to reduce body roll and improve cornering stability. Steering is responsive, and the ride is generally comfortable, though the sporty suspension set-up and larger alloys on higher trims can result in a firmer experience than we’d perhaps like – on undulating roads, passengers can get thrown around a bit. The E5’s instant electric torque makes city driving effortless, but its extra weight from the battery pack means it feels a little less agile on fast, sweeping roads.
The Omoda 5 and E5 both feature a high-tech, visually appealing cabin. A large, curved dual-screen set-up dominates the dashboard, comprising a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. Touch-sensitive controls, ambient lighting, and soft-touch materials create a modern atmosphere, though some plastics lower down feel less premium. The cabin is spacious for front passengers, with supportive seats and good headroom. Rear space is adequate for two adults, though taller occupants may find the sloping roofline restricts headroom. Isofix mounting points are fitted on the outer rear seats.
The Omoda 5 offers a boot capacity of 360 litres, expanding to 1,075 litres with the rear seats folded. While not class-leading, the space is usefully shaped and the split-folding seats allow for flexible load carrying. There’s no additional ‘frunk’ storage in the E5, but underfloor compartments are provided for charging cables and smaller items. A powered tailgate is available on the Noble trim, and in-cabin storage is generous, with large door bins, a deep centre console, cupholders, and a wireless charging pad.
All Omoda 5 and E5 models are well specified. Even entry-level variants (Knight on the 5 and Comfort on the E5) include dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, heated seats, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems. Moving up the range adds features such as a panoramic sunroof, premium audio, synthetic leather upholstery, 360-degree parking camera, and an augmented reality head-up display (on E5). Over-the-air software updates are supported for infotainment and safety systems.
The Omoda 5 and E5 are available in three trim levels: Comfort, Knight, and Noble. The Comfort trim serves as the entry point, coming equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, dual 10.25-inch displays for the dashboard and infotainment, as well as comprehensive connectivity options. Stepping up to Knight brings larger alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, upgraded upholstery and a suite of additional driver assistance features.
At the top of the range sits the Noble, with 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, premium audio system, ventilated seats and vegan leather. The E5 follows the same trim structure but has exclusive styling elements such as its flush-fitting wheel covers, plus cutting-edge technology in the form of an augmented reality head-up display. Both models offer a choice of interior colour themes, allowing buyers to personalise their cabin with contemporary shades and finishes that complement each trim level. A vibrant colour palette is available, including Neptune Blue, Lunar Silver, Stellar Black, Crimson Red and Arctic White.
The Omoda 5 has yet to be tested by Europe, but it achieved a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, the safety body for Australia and New Zealand. It’s anticipated this will be reflected in its Euro NCAP assessment when it happens. Both the Omoda 5 and E5 are equipped with a comprehensive collection of standard safety features, including multiple airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind spot detection, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert. Early reports suggest strong reliability, supported by Chery’s comprehensive warranty and growing dealer network. The Omoda warranty covers five years/unlimited mileage, with the E5’s battery warranted for eight years or 100,000 miles, transferable to subsequent owners.
The Omoda E5 emits zero tailpipe emissions and achieves an efficiency rating of around 3.8 miles per kWh, giving a real-world range of 220-250 miles depending on conditions. It’s a fairly strong efficiency figure for a vehicle of its size. Petrol models return between 40–44 mpg, with CO₂ emissions from 156 to 170 g/km. The E5 qualifies for the lowest VED rate (£10 in the first year), and road tax for all Omoda 5s and E5s scrapes under the cap for the Expensive Car Supplement, meaning a VED bill of £195 per year at current rates. Insurance groups are 27-33 so are on the higher side of average. Service intervals are annually or every 12,000 miles.
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