Chinese car brands have been shaking up the UK market lately, and the Omoda 5 is their latest challenger — a crossover gunning for the family SUV crowd with a £25k starting price. It’s not just about being cheap, though; the Omoda 5 packs plenty of power and a flashy kit list to tempt you away from familiar faces like the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage, and MG HS. On paper, it looks promising, but does it deliver where it counts?
At first glance, the Omoda 5 looks sharp enough, with sculpted sides and a grille that’s trying a bit too hard to stand out. It’s not ugly, but it’s hardly going to turn heads. In my eyes, it looks better than its electric sibling, with its vast chip-cutter grille at least giving it some sense of style, even if it doesn’t quite hit the mark.
Step inside, and things start off well. The cabin feels pretty swish for a car at this price. You’ve got two 10.25-inch screens perched on the dashboard, giving everything a clean, modern vibe. They’re decent to use, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included as standard, but they can be a bit laggy and struggle when the sun’s blazing in.
There’s plenty of plastic about, but most of it feels okay rather than cheap. The bits you touch most, like the steering wheel and gear selector, feel good enough. There’s also a handy angled panel in the centre console with two spaces for a phone — I’m unsure if making the screen visible while wirelessly charging is a good idea, but at least it’s somewhere secure to secure your device.
Space is a bit of a mixed bag. The front seats are comfy, and there’s enough room even if you’re on the taller side. But things aren’t so rosy in the back — the sloping roofline means headroom is tight, and legroom’s nothing special either. The boot’s also pretty small at 380 litres — smaller than most rivals. Sure, you can fold the rear seats down, but the loading area isn’t particularly flat and there’s not much clever storage going on.
Petrol Powered Performance
Under the bonnet, there’s a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine kicking out 186hp and 275Nm of torque. Sounds decent on paper, and it’ll do 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds, which is quick enough to keep you entertained.
That performance comes with an economy penalty. Omoda claims 37.7mpg, but you’ll struggle to hit that in the real world. CO2 emissions of 170g/km also mean it’s not exactly cheap to run compared to the competition. A Nissan Qashqai with similar power is good for over 40mpg.
But the driving experience doesn’t quite live up to the stats. The engine feels strained when you push it, and the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is a bit hit-and-miss. It’s fine for cruising along the motorway, but it can be jerky and hesitant around town. Sometimes it’s like it’s trying too hard to guess what you want to do next.
Handling is another weak spot. The steering is super light, which makes parking a doddle but doesn’t fill you with confidence on twisty roads. The suspension feels like it’s not sure what it’s supposed to be doing — it’s soft enough to be comfy on smooth roads but gets flustered over rougher stuff or when more than the gentlest of cornering is required. There’s also quite a bit of road noise, and the whole car feels a bit wobbly and unsettled when things get bumpy.
Value for Money
If that all sounds a bit negative, there’s a saving grace: Where the Omoda 5 scores points is with its kit list. Even the entry-level Comfort model comes with wireless charging, an eight-speaker Sony stereo, LED headlights, and a bunch of safety tech like 11 airbags, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring.
Go for the pricier Noble trim, and you’ll get fancy stuff like a 360-degree camera system, dual-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, and the option of bigger 19-inch wheels. It’s all very impressive on paper, even if the rest of the car doesn’t quite live up to the spec sheet.
Omoda 5 Review: The Verdict
All of that shows that the Omoda 5 is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s got a tempting price tag, loads of gadgets, and plenty of power on offer. But it’s let down by poor refinement, cramped rear seats, and disappointing fuel economy.
It could be worth a look if you’re after a budget SUV and aren’t too fussy. But if you’re after something a bit more polished, you’re better off with an MG HS or a Kia Sportage.
Model tested: Omoda 5 Noble
Price: £27,035
Average Joes rating: ★★☆☆☆
He is the founder of Huff Media, publisher of Professional Pickup, Professional Van, Average Janes, Average Joes, and CALIBRE. His work focuses primarily on light commercial vehicles, pickups, and real-world vehicle use, with much of his time spent on manufacturer launches, industry events, and long-term vehicle testing.