The Malaysian automobile market is about to become even more crowded as Chinese automakers prepare to compete with popular B-segment SUVs such as the Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Proton X50. Chinese automakers have set their sights on the Malaysian market and are ready to bring in SUVs with modern designs, specs, and affordable pricing.
Great Wall Motors has already previewed its Haval SUVs at the Malaysia Autoshow, but Chery is ahead of the game, with the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro set to launch in June/July. Both SUVs will be introduced in CKD (completely knocked down) form, which means they will be assembled locally from the start, with full EVs and plug-in hybrids following in the second wave.
What makes Chery’s entry into Malaysia even more daring is that it is being undertaken without the assistance of a local partner, as opposed to BYD, which has Sime Darby. Chery’s Omoda 5 has a bold, studded nose that will either be adored or despised, but the rest of the SUV’s body is expected to be more uncontroversial. The Omoda 5 has a sculpted shape with blacked-out rear pillars and a full-width tail strip with Chery spelled out in letters. The design of the Omoda 5 is reminiscent of Lexus, which is not a bad thing.
The dashboard of the Omoda 5 is modern and on-trend, with co-joined screens pioneered by Mercedes-Benz and a high centre console. The SUV has a minimalist design, with important controls like AC functions hidden in the trim so you don’t have to dig into the touchscreen to access them. The Omoda 5 includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and your phone is positioned at an angle for easy viewing. Wireless charging is also available, as is a sunroof (though it is manual and not very large), an eight-speaker Sony sound system, and double-glazed windows to improve NVH.
Chery is one of the most international-minded Chinese OEMs, and the Omoda 5 reflects that with a better right-hand drive conversion than Geely-Proton. The Omoda 5 is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 154 hp (115 kW) and 230 Nm of torque, hence the 230T badge. The engine is mated to a CVT with nine virtual ratios. Chery’s in-house 1.5T engine comes with a 10-year/1,000,000-km warranty, which should put any reliability concerns to rest.
On paper, the 1.5L VTEC Turbo four-cylinder engine in the HR-V produces 181 PS (178 hp) and 240 Nm, while the 1.5L turbocharged three-cylinder engine in the X50 produces 177 PS (174 hp) and 255 Nm in TGDi form (the flagship variant) or 150 PS (148 hp) and 226 Nm in PFI form. The HR-V has a CVT transmission, whereas the X50 has a DCT. In the full video tour, Hafriz Shah, who owns an X50 Flagship, discusses the Omoda 5’s powertrain.
With its bold looks, high specs, and competitive pricing that is expected to be on par with the Proton X50, the Omoda 5 is set to be a strong competitor in the Malaysian SUV market.
