If there’s one thing in life that’s certain – apart from death and taxes – and that’s change, writes Tim Barnes-Clay.
Change is usually good, but it's easy to fear it and get your knickers in a twist about it. But once you've realised there's not a lot you can do to halt change, then it's kind of easy to relax into it. How I'm describing change makes it sound like it just happens to us – like we’re victims of it. Well, it can – but we can also be masters of our own change – whether that’s a job change, a house move – or even a relationship change.
What's all this got to do with cars, then? Quite a lot, really. I mean, many of us change cars at some point, and – as is the case right now – many of us are changing because of electrification – or even because there are new automakers coming to the UK that give us – like kids in a sweet shop – more choice of which car we’d like to try next.
Most people don’t buy or lease a car on a whim – it’s often driven for financial reasons – or because you’re in a position to have a company car. Others need a first-time car – or a new child brings about a change of circumstances. In my case, when my first child was born, it was out goes the motorbike and in comes a sensible family vehicle.
Now, the word sensible gives a boring vibe. But it’s amazing what bringing a new life into the world can do to you – and how you perceive the world. Suddenly, affordable yet safe and sometimes dull vehicles are not so bad – if you're doing it for others – not just yourself. It's at that point you realise you are changing.
So far, so philosophical – and I’m back to writing about change. And this is the point I turn to the latest new kid on the block (in the motoring world, at least) to these shores. I’m referring to OMODA.
The brand, part of Chery International, China's top vehicle exporter, was officially ushered into the UK at a ceremony I was invited to in London's Docklands recently. In addition to journalists, dealers from across 60 franchised retailer locations, dual-branded with JAECOO, attended the launch.
But why such a grand event now at the tail end of summer – when many of my journalist colleagues are still on holiday? Well, it’s all to do with the first shipment of British-spec OMODA 5 and E5 models arriving in Southampton. The vehicles have just arrived onboard a gigantic Cosco shipping vessel called Liao He Kou, which was on its maiden voyage to this part of the world.
Anyway, in this article, we're going to take a look at the OMODA 5. No driving was involved – the event at Magazine London, on the Greenwich Peninsula, was merely a place to mark the occasion of the Chinese brand entering the UK market – and to showcase this compact SUV and the E5.
Sticking with the 5, though, it can be yours for as little as £25,235. That might be your annual salary, but that's cheap for a new family-sized car.
The OMODA 5 houses a 1.6cc four-cylinder petrol turbo unit that kicks out 186PS and 270Nm of pulling power. This mill enables the 5 to leap from a standstill to 62mph in a mere 7.9 seconds, with the OMODA only running out of puff at 128mph. The car is front-wheel drive, and you don't even need to bother using your left foot, as the 5 uses a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
There was ample opportunity to look at the OMODA 5 – and it's clear from a casual glance that the car radiates dynamism, has a futuristic vibe and has a roomy, well-appointed interior. When it comes to tech, the 5 features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a raft of driver assistance systems. The safety technology has helped the 5 obtain the main thing you’re looking for in a family car - a five-star Euro NCAP safety score. If you're transporting your kids around, only the best safety rating will do in my book, so top marks to OMODA for that.
As I’ve said, there hasn’t been a chance to drive the OMODA 5 yet – but the brand told the assembled crowd in London that the ride and handling have been tuned to offer a ‘perfect balance of comfort, refinement and agility’. An automaker would say that of course – but then there’s no real reason to doubt the claims. Why? Well, the marque’s team in charge of vehicle dynamics at OMODA’s German research and development centre did the final sign-off testing on a bunch of European and UK roads. That kind of real-world assessing is likely to ensure the 5 meets the claims of its maker – and the expectations of UK motorists.
UK OMODA 5 models are available in two highly specified trim levels - Comfort and Noble. Both have a face that bears an ‘X’ shape, conveying the 5’s assured character. The slim LED headlights and T-shaped daytime running lights enhance the 5's visual width. At the rump, LED taillights include elaborate, perpendicular strakes.
Staying at the rear, the electrically operated tailgate exposes a 380-litre boot, which balloons to 1,075 litres with the back seats folded. Deeper into the car, you get synthetic leather front sports seats with six-way power adjustment on the driver’s seat. The higher-grade Noble model adds power and heating for the driver and passenger.
For added well-being, the 5’s dual-zone climate control system - factory-fitted on the Noble trim - boasts a filter to keep the cabin free from fine particles. That's a great bonus if, like me, you suffer from hay fever.
The 5’s interior has also been manufactured to make life more convenient through special modes. The Welcome Mode unlocks the car as you approach it. Then, it illuminates the lights in numerous ways and flashes a welcome message on the car’s central screen.
Placed in front of the driver is a 10.25-inch, high-definition instrument cluster that gives important driving data. Another 10.25-inch touchscreen at the top of the 5’s centre console is pointed towards the driver, offering quick, innate control of the OMODA’s infotainment system. Natural voice control is also offered so you can select key functions easily. The flagship Noble trim also vaunts a Sony audio system, which comes standard with eight speakers for awesome sound quality.
If you don't like features buried away digitally, then that's okay, as OMODA has shoehorned a line of physical buttons for frequently used features, like climate control, into the centre console.
The OMODA 5 looks like a good proposition if you're after a new wallet-friendly family car. You'd have to test drive one to really know it's for you – but all indications are that your expectations will be met – if not exceeded.
Don’t take my word for it, though – maybe take Chen Chun Qing’s word. He’s the Executive Vice President of Chery International. He said: “OMODA is at the forefront of a new era of intelligent and new energy technology products and is already making an impact across
Europe, even outselling established brands in some markets. We are building a futuristic brand for customers, with highly specified, premium models available at a competitive price.”
But, I’ll leave the very last word to Victor Zhang, Country Director of OMODA and JAECOO UK. He added: “We have arrived in the UK fully prepared with a large network of experienced franchised retailers, backed by the most comprehensive aftermarket and customer support services, to deliver an exemplary ownership experience for our customers. The first OMODA vehicles have landed, and we look forward to seeing them on UK roads very soon.”
Now that you've read about the OMODA 5, why not look at our article on the all-electric OMODA E5? If you're thinking about changing from your fossil-fuelled motor to an electric one – this could be a car for your shortlist. See? We're back to talking about 'change' again!
