2023 Chery Omoda 5

Finally, Chery Malaysia has made its return official with the launch of Omoda 5 in 2023 with two variants: C and H.

The Omoda 5, their B-segment SUV rival to the Proton X50 and Honda HR-V, features a distinctive design that could be polarising to some. Whether you love or hate its wide studded nose, there's no denying that it makes a distinct first impression, which is undoubtedly advantageous for the new brand.

That said, remaining parts of the SUV's body are less likely to divide opinions. It boasts a sculpted shape with blacked-out rear pillars and a full-width strip for the tail, all contemporary design. We’d love to see it given a stealthy blacked out treatment.

Externally, the C and H variants can be distinguished by the red highlights on the front lower grille, side mirrors, lower doors, and rear spoiler of the high-spec H model. It's rare for a trim package to extend to the wheels, but Chery has done this for the Omoda 5 H. All variants feature LED headlights, tail lights, and daytime running lights (DRLs), but the H trim gains sequential turn signals and an eye-catching light show in the front and rear upon startup.

The Omoda 5 is well-equipped even in its lower C trim level. Both trim levels come with two 10.25-inch dashboard screens as standard, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. Other notable features include wireless charging, an angled phone rest for convenient viewing, ambient lighting, dual-zone air conditioning with a PM 2.5 filter, a reverse camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated wing mirrors, and proximity sensor keyless entry. Additionally, the Omoda 5 boasts double-glazed windows to enhance noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels.

When it comes to safety, both trim levels come standard with a comprehensive advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) pack. It includes lane departure warning and prevention, blind-spot detection, emergency lane-keeping, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, front collision warning and automatic emergency braking (AEB), and automatic high beam.

During the event, Chery Malaysia also revealed its warranty package, which includes a 7-year or 150,000 km coverage for the vehicle alongside a 5 years of alternating free service (including free labor).

The engine warranty is an impressive 10 years or one million km. However, it's important to note that the attention-grabbing engine warranty is limited to the first 3,000 customers. After that, it reverts to a seven-year/150,000 km warranty, aligning with the rest of the vehicle.

Still, if you’re the 3,001st customer or after, paying an extra RM2,000 upfront will still net you the extended 10-year/1-million km engine warranty package - a pretty good deal if you’re still on the fence about Chery’s reliability record.