Buying a car shouldn’t be a stressful process. The last thing you need to be considering is the sting it’ll have on your wallet. This is why the debut price point of the Chery Omoda 5 in Australia has seriously ruffled some features in the Cross-SUV segment.
Side note – if you missed it, we actually bought a Boss Hunting Chery Omoda 5. Click here to read and watch the process, and also consider learning more about the Omoda 5’s tech and design in these articles.
Aussies understandably love their zippy city-sized SUVs for their ample boot space compared to sedans and the added space for the kids, without having to park something that feels like a truck every time they go to the supermarket. They’re perfect for a commuting small family or young couple that enjoys the odd weekend away, with cars like the Mazda CX-30, the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Nissan Qashqai enjoying popularity in city suburbs around the country – that is until now.
Comparisons are key, proper research is critical and having a solid understanding of what’s out there is the only way to make sure you aren’t buying a dud when you need a stud.
When you consider what the Chery Omoda 5 is offering for its price, those established names you’re used to seeing are in for a stiff surprise with the base model arriving at $29,900 (before on-roads) while the specced-up Omoda 5 EX will set you back $32,900 (before on-roads).
The Mazda CX-30 isn’t too far off, starting at $30,210, while the Toyota Corolla Cross and Nissan Qashqai are a little steeper at $33,000 and $33,890 respectively. Comparable vehicles from other Chinese brands are a little easier on the wallet (the GWM Haval Jolion Premium is $28,490 while the MG ZST Excite is $30,990), but as far as what you’re getting for your money, neither offers the same value – or look anywhere near as good – as the Omoda 5.
With the Chery Omoda 5 EX, you’re getting a 1.5-litre turbo engine capable of 115kW/230Nm, as well as a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, 360-litres of boot space (without folding the rear seats down), and a space-saving spare tyre. You’re also getting integrated twin 10.25-inch digital displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, lane-keep assist, blind spot assist and a 360-degree parking camera to slot into those tight spots. Chery has also thrown in some heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a powered sunroof and puddle lamps to sweeten the deal. If you’re interested in all the tech on offer from the Omoda 5 EX – head to this article.
In comparison, the Mazda CX-30 serves up a little less power from its 2.0L engine with 114kW/200Nm but is marginally more fuel efficient at 6.5 L/100km (against 6.9 L/100km for the Chery Omoda 5) and has the same safety rating. Though its infotainment screen is considerably smaller at just 8.8 inches, as is its 317-litres of boot space. While it does have radar cruise control, it’s missing the lane-keep assist, and the 360-degree camera doesn’t come as standard. It doesn’t have a wireless phone charging pad either.
Against a more familiar foe in the MG ZST Excite, you’re only getting a 4-star Euro NCAP safety rating and the 1.3-litre engine (with the same power at 115kW/230Nm) is less fuel efficient at 7.1L/100km. There’s no climate control, no pushbutton start and no wireless phone charging (all standard with the Chery Omoda 5), though it does arrive with lane assist, assisted cruise control and roughly the same boot space of 359-litres.
As for the quite popular Toyota Corolla-Cross, you need to enter the model lineup at their top-specced ‘ATMOS’ trim to unlock any of the features you get on the Omoda 5 EX, including wireless charging, wireless CarPlay, sunroof, heated seats and more. The Toyota Corolla-Cross ATMOS starts at $43,550 (before on-roads) – that’s a hefty 10 grand premium over the Omoda 5 EX, for a car that you’ll have to wait many months (likely years) before you can take delivery of it.
But at the end of the day, all this talk of pricing is a bit of a moot point. Because above all, the Chery Omoda 5 is available right now. We bought one for the Boss Hunting garage and drove away with it on the same day. Match up its compelling price point with immediate availability, and you’ll undoubtedly be seeing plenty of Chery Omoda 5’s on Aussie streets in the coming years.
This article is sponsored by Chery. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
