2023 Chery Omoda 5 in Malaysia – CKD SUV with 1.5T CVT ADAS; Q2 launch; priced between X50 and HR-V

The Omoda 5 showcases Chery’s Art in Motion design philosophy, with highlights being a large and borderless front grille that blends seamlessly with slim LED daytime running lights. The main LED headlamps are located closer to the edges of the front bumper under the DRLs, and at the rear, you’ll find wide-width taillights with the Chery script on the trim linking the clusters.

Inside, the horizontal wide dashboard plays host to a digital instrument cluster as well as a central touchscreen, both measuring 10.25 inches. The latter is for the car’s infotainment system that impressively supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while also linked to an eight-speaker Sony sound system.

Touch-sensitive buttons are used for the automatic air-conditioning system (with rear vents), and they are located just beneath the central air vents. Below that is a wireless charger that leads to the two-tier centre console which houses USB ports, a gear selector, electronic parking brake (with auto brake hold), a media dial and buttons for the around-view monitor, infotainment home screen, drive modes and hazard lights.

Boot space is 360 litres, inclusive of underfloor storage, and is expandable to 1,075 litres with the 60:40 split-folding seats down. The boot area also has a removable tonneau cover as well as a space saver spare tyre.

In terms of kit, this Omoda 5 comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels with red accents on the spokes and 215/55 profile GitiComfort F50 tyres, keyless entry and engine start, a powered sunroof, a powered tailgate, leather upholstery, powered front seats as well as front and rear armrests. As for safety and driver assistance, there are six airbags, the usual array of passive systems, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and autonomous emergency braking.

We were told the specifications and equipment found on this car will be exactly what we’ll be getting when the Omoda 5 is launched here. The SUV will be a locally-assembled (CKD) model from the start, and as for the all-important pricing, we weren’t provided with any figure(s) for now.

The only bit of info disclosed to us is the top-spec variant of the Omoda 5 will be between the X50 and HR-V, albeit leaning closer to the Proton rather than the Honda. For context, the highest variant of the HR-V with the VTEC Turbo engine – the V – currently sells for RM134,800 while the X50 in its top Flagship guise retails for RM113,300. Between those two prices, will you consider the Omoda 5 if you’re in the market for a B-segment SUV?