Surpassing on the Silk Road: The Omoda 5 Test Drive
Formerly known as Chery, the brand's bold design is not intent on forcing the green future onto the consumer: the Omoda 5 is available with a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine in addition to its electric version.
We took the surprisingly mature Chinese SUV for a spin with the latter engine, experiencing both delightful and less fortunate changes before it's soon introduced to the Hungarian market.
We find ourselves in Madrid, at Carlos Sainz Street 51-53, inside the multi-brand car and motorcycle dealership known as Little Italy — a place that following the shifting trends might soon justify adding 'China' to its sign. A huge BYD showroom stands on one side, with a brand new exhibition hall being energetically constructed between its wall and the old Fiat dealership; the concrete mixers are still turning, and scaffolds are up. This will serve as the first Spanish showroom for two European brands (Omoda and Jaecoo) from the Chinese Chery conglomerate; the beachhead operation is tactfully starting in the South European markets, steering clear from the impregnable German fortress.
ARRIVING IN A POPULAR CATEGORY WITH A UNIQUE DESIGN
But why is all this significant from a Hungarian perspective? Because Hungary will be the next destination for this brand's beachhead. Indeed, by the second quarter, the Omoda will commence sales, followed a few months later by the distribution of the Jaecoo brand in Budapest and in regional capitals, with one model each. Adding to the story's interest, the Hungarian importer has been jointly established by Hovány and the Petrányi Group – both present in the market for over 30 years, with one initiating with Nissan and the other with Ford. They invited us to Spain so we could get a first-hand look at their newest wares.
Meanwhile, several Omoda 5s with license plates lined up in the parking lot of Sainz Street before we set off. But before we do, let's try to position the model, which has been produced since mid-2022, and saw 134,000 units find owners in China and specific export markets last year. At 4.4 meters in length, it belongs to the smaller representatives of the compact SUV class, halfway between the Suzuki S-Cross and the Kia Sportage. With this popular size in the Hungarian market, it promises family-friendly passenger and cargo space on a modest footprint (and price), and it doesn't disappoint.
The Omoda brand name is derived from the combination of 'oxygen' and 'modern', known in similar forms globally, and in this spirit, the design is intended to be memorable. With its split LED headlights and "floating" C-pillar, it's certainly an interesting sight, its only real peculiarity being the huge diamond-encrusted grille. The overall impression is pleasing; it does not seem to be a copy of any Western brand (though features of the Nissan Qashqai and Ariya might be discerned), but in striving for sportiness, the designers have perhaps gone too far with red accents.
QUALITY IMPRESSION AND HYSTERICAL ASSISTANTS
The real surprise with the 5 is its interior, impressive not just in comparison to its Chinese rivals (like the MGs), but by European standards too. True, the lower areas and the sides of the trunk feature hard plastics, but where hands frequently touch, the quality is convincing, and the assembly is correct. The forms are appealing, including the 10-inch digital dashboard and multimedia touchscreen framed together, and the menu structure meets expectations. Physical buttons haven't been spared, the volume control is rotary, but the air conditioning strip, for instance, is touch-sensitive.
It's as if the steering wheel came from a more expensive car, with the two displays nicely integrated. A Mercedes-esque touch is the start button, and the speed exceedance and lane departure warnings are quite annoying.
Undoubtedly commendable is the user-friendliness, reminiscent of European and Korean rivals, sometimes even surpassing them, for instance, with the tilted built-in phone holder shelf, giving good visibility, half of which offers cooled (!) wireless charging, with the usual mirroring features available. However, the Omoda 5 arriving in Hungary will be post-facelift, with an unchanged exterior but a new dashboard: refined forms, larger displays (12.3 inches), and, unfortunately, the disappearance of the phone cradle, with the gear preselector moving to the steering column.
We find ourselves in Madrid, at Carlos Sainz Street 51-53, inside the multi-brand car and motorcycle dealership known as Little Italy — a place that following the shifting trends might soon justify adding 'China' to its sign. A huge BYD showroom stands on one side, with a brand new exhibition hall being energetically constructed between its wall and the old Fiat dealership; the concrete mixers are still turning, and scaffolds are up. This will serve as the first Spanish showroom for two European brands (Omoda and Jaecoo) from the Chinese Chery conglomerate; the beachhead operation is tactfully starting in the South European markets, steering clear from the impregnable German fortress.
ARRIVING IN A POPULAR CATEGORY WITH A UNIQUE DESIGN
But why is all this significant from a Hungarian perspective? Because Hungary will be the next destination for this brand's beachhead. Indeed, by the second quarter, the Omoda will commence sales, followed a few months later by the distribution of the Jaecoo brand in Budapest and in regional capitals, with one model each. Adding to the story's interest, the Hungarian importer has been jointly established by Hovány and the Petrányi Group – both present in the market for over 30 years, with one initiating with Nissan and the other with Ford. They invited us to Spain so we could get a first-hand look at their newest wares.
Meanwhile, several Omoda 5s with license plates lined up in the parking lot of Sainz Street before we set off. But before we do, let's try to position the model, which has been produced since mid-2022, and saw 134,000 units find owners in China and specific export markets last year. At 4.4 meters in length, it belongs to the smaller representatives of the compact SUV class, halfway between the Suzuki S-Cross and the Kia Sportage. With this popular size in the Hungarian market, it promises family-friendly passenger and cargo space on a modest footprint (and price), and it doesn't disappoint.
The Omoda brand name is derived from the combination of 'oxygen' and 'modern', known in similar forms globally, and in this spirit, the design is intended to be memorable. With its split LED headlights and "floating" C-pillar, it's certainly an interesting sight, its only real peculiarity being the huge diamond-encrusted grille. The overall impression is pleasing; it does not seem to be a copy of any Western brand (though features of the Nissan Qashqai and Ariya might be discerned), but in striving for sportiness, the designers have perhaps gone too far with red accents.
QUALITY IMPRESSION AND HYSTERICAL ASSISTANTS
The real surprise with the 5 is its interior, impressive not just in comparison to its Chinese rivals (like the MGs), but by European standards too. True, the lower areas and the sides of the trunk feature hard plastics, but where hands frequently touch, the quality is convincing, and the assembly is correct. The forms are appealing, including the 10-inch digital dashboard and multimedia touchscreen framed together, and the menu structure meets expectations. Physical buttons haven't been spared, the volume control is rotary, but the air conditioning strip, for instance, is touch-sensitive.
It's as if the steering wheel came from a more expensive car, with the two displays nicely integrated. A Mercedes-esque touch is the start button, and the speed exceedance and lane departure warnings are quite annoying.
Undoubtedly commendable is the user-friendliness, reminiscent of European and Korean rivals, sometimes even surpassing them, for instance, with the tilted built-in phone holder shelf, giving good visibility, half of which offers cooled (!) wireless charging, with the usual mirroring features available. However, the Omoda 5 arriving in Hungary will be post-facelift, with an unchanged exterior but a new dashboard: refined forms, larger displays (12.3 inches), and, unfortunately, the disappearance of the phone cradle, with the gear preselector moving to the steering column.
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