Omoda C9 PHEV Driven

We spent a few days with the Omoda C9 PHEV, a Chinese hybrid SUV that takes the brand decidedly upmarket.

The Chery automobile group has been one of the top performers in the SA new car market. Not happy with just the Chery brand, the parent company has also launched siblings Omoda and Jaecoo. Both have been well received here as well. The former is represented by two models, for now, the C5 and the range-leading C9. It is the C9 we had on loan in top-spec plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) trim.

Follow Double Apex on Instagram and Facebook where we share more car content.

Classy Design

The Omoda C9 is a handsome prospect. The design cues are decidedly European in execution. It’s no surprise to learn that this is one of the models that Chery is using to spearhead an entry into that market. There are characteristics about its design that some may confuse with those from a Lexus or a Range Rover. We’ll bet that’s quite a deliberate tactic on the part of Omoda’s designers.

The large car has slim headlamps and vertical LED DRLs, quite unique in sea of other options on offer at the moment. The taillamps, too, are LEDs and have a bit of a naff ‘Knight Rider‘ style feature when you unlock. Speaking of, the car unlocks with a proximity sensor with the key. As the key is detected the door handles pop out. When you set off, the handles retract into the body. These flush-fitting handles seem to be quite the flavour of the moment with Chinese cars.

Luxurious Interior

If there is one word to describe the interior, it’s luxurious. The cabin is easy on the eyes and premium to the touch. There is an abundance of stitched leather, from the seats to the steering and even the facia. Additionally, the steering wheel and both front seats are electrically adjustable. The wood-look trim on the facia and door cards is not to our tastes, but it does look the part. There are many controls (steering adjuster, headlights, windows, parking brake) that seem to take ‘inspiration’ from similar items found in Mercedes-Benz models, and they all operate with a high degree of solidity.

Dual screens on the facia serve as instrument cluster and infotainment interface. The infotainment screen has countless menus, and menus within menus. You can set simple things such as the ambient lighting and all sorts of other interesting things such as brake pitch control, which supposedly alters the way the car behaves under braking. Driver assist setting as well as steering heft, heads-up display and many other besides, can all be set within the screen. Therefore, we hope owners take the time to delve within the multitude of options to take full advantage of the customisation options on offer. Thankfully, Omoda has maintained physical controls for the HVAC system.

Fully Loaded

The Omoda C9 PHEV is fully loaded with standard kit. Highlights of the interior include a 12-speak Sony hifi with speakers in the front headrests. Furthermore, there is a powerful wireless mobile phone charger along with many USB ports of various types scattered around. At its price point it comes with a full suite of driver assistance systems, leather upholstery, panoramic roof, heated and cooled seats front and rear. USB ports in the rear. Recline adjustment for the rear seats along with HVAC controls for rear passengers. There is space aplenty for the rear occupants, with plenty of legroom and adequate seating for three adults across the bench. In addition there is an electrically operated tailgate. The list of standard features would go on for several more paragraphs if we listed them all. Suffice to say, the C9 lacks for nothing.

Hybrid Power

But its the hybrid powertrain that will be the main drawcard for many would-be buyers. Chinese brands have come under some fire for their products’ high fuel consumption figures and poor engine throttle mapping. Almost all have countered with the introduction of some form of hybridised drivetrain. This Omoda C9 PHEV is exactly in that camp. The powertrain consists of a turbocharged 1,5-litre turbopetrol engine. This is allied with three electric motors.

The electric drive system can power the wheels from a fully charged battery, or it can use the petrol engine to charge the battery pack to power the wheels. Or petrol and electricity can work together for maximum effect. The sum total of the petrol engine and electric motors working in unison is a whopping 440 kW and 915 N.m of torque. Omoda claims this output allows the C9 to blast from 0-100 km/h in 4,9 seconds. Independent local testing shows that Omoda’s claim is completely achievable.

The electric motors are powered by a 34,5 kWh battery pack offering an electric-only range of up to 150 km. As a result, you could travel to work and back petrol-free and suffer no range anxiety on the weekend when you want to hit the open road. During our loan period we measured combined figures as low as 5,0 L/100 km for long stretches, but our overall average was just over the automaker’s claim at 7,2, which is still impressive for a petrol-powered car of this size.

On the Road

The sense of luxury felt in the cabin continues as you set off in the Omoda C9 PHEV. Initial progress, as with most hybrids, is made in near silence when road speeds are low. In addition, the cabin is extremely well isolated, in part this is due to the double-glazed windows in the front doors (but oddly not the rears). Moreover the ride quality has a level of polish that is right up there with European counterparts. Dual-tone, blade-like 20-inch alloys are shod with plump, 50-profile Michelin tyres, which make for a soft ride. There isn’t any sporting pretense to the C9’s make-up, which means its not a car that enjoys being driven fast through the corners. We surmise that the C9 would would make for an extremely comfortable cross country cruiser.

Summary

The rate at which Chinese automakers role out new tech and the quality of this tech should be a major concern for any company that produces cars. All the criticisms that were levelled at vehicles from China have been answered, and double quick. Complaints of unrefined engines and high fuel consumption have all but been eliminated with the introduction of hybrid alternatives. The Omoda C9 PHEV isn’t ‘just another Chinese car’ it is one of the best available in our market. It delivers all that its chief rivals (BMW X3, Hyundai Santa Fe, etc) do, but manages to do so at a much more wallet-friendly price point. This car is extremely difficult to fault, which is not something that we say easily…

Model: Omoda C9 PHEV
Price: R999 000
Engine: 1,5-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol+ three electric motors
Transmission: three-speed automatic, AWD
Max power: 440 kW
Max torque: 915 N.m
0-100 km/h: 4,9 sec
Top speed: n/a
Fuel consumption: 6,9 L/100 km (7,2 during review period)