Omoda E5 Noble (2024 - )

Following hot on the heels of Chinese carmaker BYD comes another manufacturer from the region called Omoda, which is part of the world-renowned Chery group. It is just starting to launch here in the UK and customers can choose from petrol or fully electrified models. And with prices starting from just £24,000, it is definitely targeting the budget conscious buyer.

There are two trim grades to select from called Comfort and Noble and we were given the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a prototype version of the Omoda E5 (electric) in range-topping Noble specification.

The Omoda E5 is a five-door, fully electrified mid-sized family crossover that is very easy on the eye. The front end looks quite futuristic with wide, sweeping light clusters and the OMODA name sitting proudly on the bonnet. There are blacked out pillars, body-coloured door handles, smart alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, a sunroof and a quite angular rear with a light bar connecting the tail lights.

Moving inside, the interior is modern and clutter-free with the main focal point being a curved screen that stretches two-thirds of the dashboard and houses the 12.25-inch infotainment screen and 12.25-inch instrument cluster. The former is the access point to the many on-board features with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with sat nav, an eight-speaker Sony sound system, DAB radio, Bluetooth, 360-degree camera, plus wireless charging for two devices with a cooling function to prevent overheating.

The synthetic leather upholstery looks and feels upmarket with powered seats that, together with the leather-wrapped steering wheel, can be heated. 

My only real criticism was the touchscreen seemed a tad overcomplicated which made navigating the many features quite fiddly on the move. On the up-side though, the driver information display is crystal clear and very easy to read.

While we did find a few of the features a little sluggish, it is worth remembering that we were driving an early prototype and many minor blips will be ironed out when the car comes to market.

Powering our range-topping Omoda E5 Noble was a 61kWh battery delivering 204PS and 340Nm of torque. That translates into a 0-62mph sprint time of 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 107mph.

But possibly the most vital statistic on this front-wheel drive model is the driving range between charges which is a WLTP-tested combined 257 miles.

The Omoda E5 Noble certainly feels quick out the starting blocks with sharp acceleration through the single-speed automatic transmission. There is a constant stream of power on tap which will help make light work of overtaking slower vehicles or joining a motorway from the slip road.

On the downside, the steering feels a little lacklustre and lacks real driver feedback when pushed on through tighter bends which is worrying at times, but the body roll is kept to a minimum with confident levels of grip thanks to the cars low centre of gravity with the battery pack positioned beneath the floor.

There are drive modes called Eco, Normal and Sport that alter the driving characteristics of the car, and with decent all-round visibility along with agile handling, city driving is a relaxed experience.

Comfort levels are impressive and the noise insulated glass will help protect occupants from any outside sounds too.

The five-door Omoda E5 Noble looks impressive from any approach stretching 4,424mm in length, 2,101mm wide (with mirrors), 1,588mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2,630mm.

Up front there is bundles of space to stretch out and getting a comfortable driving position is made simpler thanks to the powered driver’s seat.

Back seat space also impresses with enough room for another couple of adults to travel on longer journeys, provided the front seats are not pushed right back. However, six-foot-plus rear occupants may find their hair brushing against the headlining.

The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate and has a capacity that ranges from 380 litres to 1,075 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. And there are numerous storage options scattered throughout the cabin, including a large area between the front seats, a glovebox, seat back pockets, cup holders, a central cubby, door bins and covered trays.

There is no heat pump on the Omoda E5 Noble and the car can be charged from 30 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes at a maximum charge speed of 80kW.

The Omoda 5 range starts from £24,000 for the petrol-powered Comfort model, increasing to £25,800 for the Omoda 5 Noble (also petrol). The electric line-up costs £32,500 for the E5 Comfort or £34,000 for the E5 Noble, as tested. 

So, it would be fair to say the Omoda line-up is competitively priced despite the EV versions costing about £9k more than their petrol-driven siblings.

Owners will also be able to enjoy a number of financial benefits for driving an electric car thanks to its zero carbon emissions. These include being exempt from road tax, Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone fees. And, unlike buyers of traditional combustion-engined cars, they are not penalised for purchasing a vehicle costing in excess of £40k.

There is good news for business buyers too with a Benefit in Kind tax rating of just two per cent.

But unfortunately most, if not all, of these financial bonuses will be withdrawn or drastically cut back by the Government starting from next year.

The Omoda E5 Noble comes with a seven year, 100,000-mile warranty which is increased to eight years for the battery.

And the vehicle, as tested, sits in insurance group 32D.

Chery Automobiles, the parent company of Omoda, was founded in 1997 and in 2023 it recorded one million export sales along with two million domestic sales. It is China’s top exporter of cars for more than 20 consecutive years, so with that in mind, it hardly lacks experience despite the Omoda name being very new to us.

The biggest hurdle the company will face here in the UK is buyers fear of change, along with brand snobbery. Despite its bargain-basement pricing, only time will tell whether or not the British public will be swayed into adventuring into something very new.

The Omoda 5 and E5 are on sale now through a retailer network covering more than 70 sites.