The Omoda 7 widens this Chinese brand's offering by targeting customers looking for an ambitious mid-sized SUV. Value, frugality and comfort are the keynotes here - with a dash of Omoda-style fashion. And the option of Plug-in Hybrid power, writes motors journalist Jonathan Crouch.
Ownership conglomerate Chery has directed Omoda to offer the '7' here with two engines. The entry-level option is the brand's usual 1.6-litre TGDI petrol unit, which offers 147PS and 275Nm of torque, making 62mph in 10.4s en route to 118mph.
The alternative is to have your Omoda 7 in Plug-in Hybrid form with what the group likes to call its 'SHS', or 'Super Hybrid System'. The name suggests something quite revolutionary but actually, the projected EV range here - about 56 miles - isn't even quite as good as VW Group rivals (though it's better than competing Stellantis Group models).
The drivetrain is the same as that used by Chery's Jaecoo 7 SHS (and PHEV versions of the Chery Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8), which means there's a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor energised by an 18.3kWh battery. This SHS model only comes in 2WD form but does have its share of clever tech, using the engine and brake regen system to always keep the battery above 0% of charge. So even if you forget (or aren't able) to plug in, you'll still find the car reverting to electric motion around town.
Though the petrol engine in this PHEV is at 1.5-litres slightly smaller than the 1.6-litre unit used in the conventional models, the SHS system's total output is of course superior, rated at 204PS, with 365Nm of torque; enough to get the car to 62mphin 8.4s en route to 112mph. The car always starts under EV power and you can drive in pure electric mode up to motorway speeds - or with the engine and motor working together in unison. When the engine cuts in, it does so pretty seamlessly.
Omoda says the styling of this '7' is intentionally restrained. "Those who polarise and cater to extremes cannot achieve high volumes", says the company's strategy chief. It's certainly conventional in terms of size - at 4.66m long - think Toyota RAV4 or Kia Sportage. The one really interesting styling touch comes at the front end which has a distinctive and very complex grille pattern flanked by narrow LED headlights. This really comes alive after dark with an eye-catching array of glowing hexagons, while at the same time the rear lights become illuminated spiral elements, with 'O-Universe' lightning bolt-shaped illumination.
This ought to be a much more palatable kind of Omoda for Europeans, given that it's been developed primarily for our continent. At first glance with this '7 though, it's difficult to see where that extra promised 'European-ness' lies; certainly not in the screen-dominated largely switch-less cabin.
The styling is perhaps a little more restrained than the Oriental norm - though it has its interesting touches. And the choice to focus on a Plug-in Hybrid powertrain certainly fits with European market trends. Overall though, the '7' is still a mid-sized Chinese SUV for people who like mid-sized Chinese SUVs. Still, that was enough for Omoda to sell their smaller '5' model in decent numbers here. For the short term, it may be enough for this '7' to make its sales numbers too. In the longer term though, like its Chinese rivals, Omoda needs to do more.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
- CAR: Omoda 7 SHS
- PRICE: from £32,000 {est}
- CATEGORY: PLUG-IN HYBRID - COMPACT
- INSURANCE GROUP: 31 {est}
- FUEL CONSUMPTION: 403mpg {combined} {est}
- CO2 EMISSIONS: 23g/km {est}
- PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph 8.5s / Max speed 112mph {est}
- WLTP EV RANGE: 56 miles {est}
- BOOT CAPACITY: [litres] 500
- WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4620/1870/1670 mm
WHO TO SEE: Group M53 OMODA | JAECOO Ellesmere Port, Rossmore Rd E, Ellesmere Port, CH65 3BR
Tel. 0151 357 1221
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