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The Citizen
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Omoda C5 X Series doesn't just marks the spot, it hits the spot
New crossover SUV models swap out much-criticised CVT for dual-clutch transmission. Opinions vary over every aspect of Chinese carmaker from manufacturing to after sales backup. Except for one thing. The Chinese learn damn fast and apply what they've learned in no time. The Omoda C5 is just another case on point. The crossover SUV has been the cornerstone of Chery-owned Omoda & Jaecoo's local success since its debut just over two years ago. During this time, O&J twice introduced a lower-priced entry-level model to the C5 range. And more recently, two X Series models have joined the range below the S variants. These offer dual-clutch transmission (DCT) as an alternative to the much-criticised CVT gearbox. At a reduced price nogal. Omoda C5 X Series arrives The Omoda C5 Lux X DCT and Elegance X DCT have replaced the standard Lux CVT and Elegance CVT models. At R425 900, the Lux X DCT is R52 000 cheaper than before and the Elegance X DCT R42 000 less at R465 900. The Citizen Motoring recently sampled the Omoda C5 in Elegance X DCT guise. Lowering pricing usually goes with cutting some fat, but in this case, O&J actually found a way of adding a whole lot. These come under the skin, styling, space, spec and after sales backup. Apart from the gearbox upgrade, the X Series also features hardware enhancements in the form of improved brake pedal response and replacing of the torsion beam rear suspension with a multi-link setup. Improved looks The front end, which futuristic styling helped the Omoda C5 make a grande local entrance in 2023, now features a redesigned matrix grille and headlights and new bumper. The LED daytime running lights motif is also more in line with its bigger C9 sibling. No changes were made to the rear, while we thought new 17-inch black alloy wheels adds to C5 X Series' overall appeal. Inside, the materials on the doors have been upgraded, along with the addition of a more powerful 50-watt wireless charger. These features alongside the carried-over set of goodies which includes dual 10.25-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Hello Chery voice recognition system. The comprehensive set of safety features also stay unchanged. The Omoda C5 Elegance X rides on 17-inch black alloy wheels. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe Designers have also somehow managed to eek out more boot space in a structure featuring the same architecture. It has gone up from 378 litre to a very respectable 442 litres. Omoda C5 X sticks to familiar mill The service plan, which is standard alongside a five-year/150 000km warranty and 10-year/one-million km engine warranty for the first owner, has been upgraded. It goes from a two-year/30 000km plan to a five-year/70 000km contract. ALSO READ: Omoda C5 range adjusted again to include new X Series pair Besides all these valuable additions, the real hardcore deal breaker for Omoda C5 X Series – besides its price – is the six-speed DCT gearbox. Like the CVT, it is mated to a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine which sends 115kW of power and 230Nm of torque to the front wheels. The drive mode selector also now include Normal mode alongside the Eco and Sport modes. While a DCT box over a CVT must be regarded as an upgrade all day every day, is it by no means perfect. Our biggest gripe with it the shuddering when coming to a stop. The Omoda C5 Elegance X features two 10.25-inch digital screens. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe Slow to react But to be fair to the box, it is not solely to blame for drivetrain annoyances. Loads of low-down turbo lag and typical Chinese throttle calibration issues do not help its cause. A much-delayed response during acceleration from a standstill, followed by too much power, is all to familiar. And that is sadly something that no driving mode software or gearbox mechanism can fix. ALSO READ: Omoda C5's price drops below R350 000 with new Street variant Omoda claims the DCT will sip 6.9 litres per 100km compared to the CVT's 7.4L/100km. But as we've seen so many times with this mill in various models regardless of transmission, our consumption just dipped under 10L/100km after a week of city traffic. All in all, the Omoda C5 Elegance X DCT is a very appealing package at a very competitive price. Even if your heart isn't completely sold because of the drivetrain issues, your head is likely to overrule it taking into account what is on the table.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
REVIEW: Omoda C5 X will hit a sweet spot for those who prefer sporty looks to practicality
The Omoda C5 X ushers in a facelift for the brand's most popular model. Image: Supplied There's a quiz on one of Joburg's popular radio stations, where contestants are asked to name a whole bunch of things starting with a specific letter, from countries to animals, foods and... you get the drift. Of course, I've never entered because, with my luck, I would probably be stuck with a letter like 'X' or 'Z'. Nonetheless, on this specific day the contestant was saddled with 'O' and when asked to name a car brand, the answer given was Omoda. Not Opel, as the obvious one might have been a few years back. But it illustrates a point. Among the seemingly endless tide of new Chinese brands entering the South African market, Omoda & Jaecoo has established a solid footing on the sales charts in a relatively short space of time. In the first four months of this year they have sold an average of just under 800 cars per month, placing it 14th among the manufacturers, and it's the Omoda C5 that leads this charge with a consistent monthly tally of just over 500 units. The C5 range was recently split into two, with the facelifted 'X' models forming the upper half of the range, while the 1.5 Street and 1.5T Style variants continue unchanged at the more affordable end of the spectrum, with prices starting at R329,900. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The new C5 X is sold in two flavours, with the Lux X costing R425,900 and the Elegance X commanding R465,900. These models are a respective R52,000 and R42,000 less than their predecessors! Subjective as styling is, I'd say this facelift is a cracker. In the old version you got a huge, colour-coded and borderless grille with a bit of car hidden behind it. The front end receives a sharper design. Image: Supplied The new model, with its sharper 'diamond matrix' grille, derived from the elegant Omoda C9, just looks so much neater, particularly as it's flanked by larger headlights and boomerang-shaped bumper elements. The sleek body shape remains as before, and is just as striking and eye-catching as ever, now complemented by a more handsome front end. However, the sporty silhouette does have a downside, which I discovered while trying to plonk my average-sized frame behind my driving position. Rear headroom is on the tight side, and while I only just fitted in comfortably, taller individuals might find themselves in a more claustrophobic position. I found the rear legroom to be adequate, but there wasn't much stretching space. The recent design upgrades saw the official boot capacity increase from 378 to 442 litres, which is certainly generous enough for a vehicle in this segment - you'll fit a good few holiday bags in there. The basic cabin architecture remains as before, but soft-touch surfaces are more liberally used. There's a large curved panel, which neatly houses two screens, rising above the dashboard, while a raised centre console creates a feeling of separation between the driver and front passenger, as you might find in a supercar. Below this you'll find a large storage area, which also houses A and C USB ports. Tall centre console brings a true 'cockpit' feel. Image: Supplied The wireless phone charger, which sits between the upper console and infotainment screen, has an increased charging output of 50 watts. The infotainment system, which integrates wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is relatively straightforward and easy to use, and there is a separate touch panel below the air vents for most of the ventilation functions. What's it like to drive the Omoda C5 X? The engine carries over, as the familiar 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit that pushes 115kW and 230Nm, but the previous CVT gearbox has been replaced by a new six-speed dual-clutch unit. The electronic gear lever did not feel all that responsive to fast inputs between park, reverse and drive. But on the road the gearbox delivered reasonably smooth shifts. Performance is on par with what you'd expect, given the vehicle's size and power. It's no firecracker, but it's more than capable of keeping up with fast-paced urban and highway traffic. New LED taillights adorn the rear end. Image: Supplied Omoda claims an overall consumption figure of 6.9 litres per 100km, down from the previous version's 7.4, but our test car averaged 9.8 litres per 100km in mixed conditions, while a freeway run of around 100km after a trip reset saw a figure of 7.3 litres per 100km. While not catastrophic consumption, it could certainly have been better. That also sums up my feeling about the overall driving experience. There's a new multi-link rear axle, but the ride quality is no better than average at best. Interior noise and vibration levels also leave room for improvement. It's not necessarily unrefined, but it's also not the height of sophistication either. But let's be fair here, as the Omoda C5 still enters the field with a high-value price tag, with almost every conceivable bell and whistle made available for under R500,000. Both models come with automatic climate control, synthetic leather seats, with electric adjustment for the front occupants, sunroof, push-button start and a surround-view camera. The Elegance X adds a few extra bits and bobs, such as driver's seat ventilation, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and wireless phone charger. VERDICT The driving experience could still do with some fine-tuning, but other than that, the new Omoda C5 X is proof of how far Chinese car manufacturers have come in a relatively short space of time. Boasting sporty looks, a keen price tag and a glut of standard features, it should hit a sweet spot for many buyers seeking a desirable vehicle for under R500,000. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel IOL
West Australian
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
Omoda C3: New Chinese small SUV brings Lamborghini, sci-fi design cues
Chery has revealed an aggressively styled new compact SUV for its Omoda spinoff brand, with styling inspired by robots and starships. Referred to varyingly by Chery as the Omoda C3 or Omoda 3, the new small SUV ostensibly slots in under the Omoda C5/Omoda 5 that'll soon be rebranded here as the Chery C5. It was revealed in China, ahead of its global product launch in October 2025. 'We're certainly interested… but at this stage we don't have a confirmed release timeline,' said a Chery Australia spokesperson when asked about the Omoda C3's chances for Australia. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now . The Omoda C3 was developed with younger buyers in mind, with styling inspired by mecha – ie: giant robots or machines seen in Japanese manga and anime, which have also inspired other Chinese designs like GWM's Tank 700. Chery says the average age of the Omoda C3 design team is just 28. There are sharp creases everywhere on the Omoda C3's exterior, with a wide grille up front flanked by lighting elements intended to evoke lightning bolts. Pronounced creases run down the side of the vehicle, with even the belt line and wheel-arch extensions featuring sharp angles. The Omoda C3 also features prominent shoulders, as well as a full-width bar at the rear which connects a pair of L-shaped tail lights. Chery says it'll offer an 'official racing package' with various aerodynamic enhancements. Inside, there's a 'starship-inspired cockpit' with a portrait-oriented touchscreen, and there are different selectable themes for both the touchscreen and the digital instrument cluster. Chery says you'll be able to play games on the touchscreen using wireless controllers, while the centre console has slots for portable gaming devices. The start button is also located on the centre console, where it's placed under a cover to give the Omoda C3 a more dramatic – and Lamborghini-like – startup procedure, while there's carbon-fibre interior trim and extensive ambient lighting. 'When you're sitting in the Omoda C3, you can feel like a starship commander,' said Omoda C3 brand director Roy Xie. The company hasn't confirmed what will power the Omoda C3, though Chery offers petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains among its crowded array of brands. Chery has confirmed it plans to expand its range of smaller models, with the 4200mm-long Omoda C3 to be joined by the 4000mm-long Omoda C2 and 3800mm-long Omoda C1. According to a presentation attended by Paul Tan , Chery also plans similarly sized T1, T2 and T3 models for its namesake brand, as well as L1, L2 and L3 models for its recently announced Lepas brand and a J3 small SUV for Jaecoo. The Jaecoo brand has just launched here, while its companion brand Omoda will launch here in the second half of 2025. Chery currently offers the Omoda 5 here under its namesake brand, but though it's sold under the Omoda brand in some markets, it's set to lose its Omoda branding in our market.
Perth Now
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Omoda C3: New Chinese small SUV brings Lamborghini, sci-fi design cues
Chery has revealed an aggressively styled new compact SUV for its Omoda spinoff brand, with styling inspired by robots and starships. Referred to varyingly by Chery as the Omoda C3 or Omoda 3, the new small SUV ostensibly slots in under the Omoda C5/Omoda 5 that'll soon be rebranded here as the Chery C5. It was revealed in China, ahead of its global product launch in October 2025. 'We're certainly interested… but at this stage we don't have a confirmed release timeline,' said a Chery Australia spokesperson when asked about the Omoda C3's chances for Australia. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Omoda C3 was developed with younger buyers in mind, with styling inspired by mecha – ie: giant robots or machines seen in Japanese manga and anime, which have also inspired other Chinese designs like GWM's Tank 700. Chery says the average age of the Omoda C3 design team is just 28. There are sharp creases everywhere on the Omoda C3's exterior, with a wide grille up front flanked by lighting elements intended to evoke lightning bolts. Pronounced creases run down the side of the vehicle, with even the belt line and wheel-arch extensions featuring sharp angles. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The Omoda C3 also features prominent shoulders, as well as a full-width bar at the rear which connects a pair of L-shaped tail lights. Chery says it'll offer an 'official racing package' with various aerodynamic enhancements. Inside, there's a 'starship-inspired cockpit' with a portrait-oriented touchscreen, and there are different selectable themes for both the touchscreen and the digital instrument cluster. Chery says you'll be able to play games on the touchscreen using wireless controllers, while the centre console has slots for portable gaming devices. The start button is also located on the centre console, where it's placed under a cover to give the Omoda C3 a more dramatic – and Lamborghini-like – startup procedure, while there's carbon-fibre interior trim and extensive ambient lighting. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'When you're sitting in the Omoda C3, you can feel like a starship commander,' said Omoda C3 brand director Roy Xie. The company hasn't confirmed what will power the Omoda C3, though Chery offers petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains among its crowded array of brands. Chery has confirmed it plans to expand its range of smaller models, with the 4200mm-long Omoda C3 to be joined by the 4000mm-long Omoda C2 and 3800mm-long Omoda C1. According to a presentation attended by Paul Tan, Chery also plans similarly sized T1, T2 and T3 models for its namesake brand, as well as L1, L2 and L3 models for its recently announced Lepas brand and a J3 small SUV for Jaecoo. The Jaecoo brand has just launched here, while its companion brand Omoda will launch here in the second half of 2025. Chery currently offers the Omoda 5 here under its namesake brand, but though it's sold under the Omoda brand in some markets, it's set to lose its Omoda branding in our market.
