Chery Omoda 5 FX 2025 Review

The 2025 Chery Omoda FX is the $27,990 drive-away entry-level model in this compact SUV line-up.

That pricing means the FX is amongst the cheapest new vehicles sold in Australia, let alone SUVs. Logical rivals include the GWM Haval Jolion, the Hyundai Venue, the outgoing MG ZS and ZST and an in-house rival, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro.

Now that the more powerful and all-wheel drive GT models have been banished from the range the local Omoda 5 line-up is simplicity itself to understand.

Above the FX sits the $34,990 BX and $36,990 (all prices drive-away) EX, which have the same 108kW/210Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, CVT auto and front-wheel drive as the FX.

It’s then a big leap to the battery-electric Omoda E5 that starts at $42,990 plus on-road costs.

What separates the FX from the BX and/or EX is equipment.

Externally it trades in 18-inch alloy wheels for 17s, LED headlights for halogens and loses the sunroof, puddle lamps, welcome tail-lights, acoustic front door glass and a bit of gloss black trim.

Internally it misses out on a wireless phone charger, a powered front passenger seat, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel and front seats, an auto-dimming mirror and a 12v outlet in the boot.

It also swaps from dual-zone to single-zone climate control and from eight-speaker Sony sound to six speakers. The synthetic leather seat trim adds fabric to its centre. It’s an attractive combo.

Key FX gear includes a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and instrument panel sitting alongside each other, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, a chatty if sometimes confusable voice assistant, USB ports front and rear and proximity keys with remote engine start and window opening.

No Omoda 5 gets satellite navigation, but at least there is a temporary spare tyre.

Safety equipment is set at a high level considering the price, with a suite of driver assist systems, and seven airbags including front-centre to avoid head knocks. The ANCAP rating is five star based on 2022 protocols.

The Omoda 5 FX comes protected by a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty. The service intervals are 12 months or a short 10,000km – whichever comes first. Capped price servicing is $2068.58 over the first seven workshop visits, which works out to a very affordable $295.51 per visit.

First up, the 2025 Chery Omoda 5 FX is very affordable by current Aussie new vehicle standards. And it retains a reasonable amount of gear for the money.

But what the Omoda 5 also does is present well for the money. It’s got an imposing exterior look that some will love (and some maybe not love), but it’s certainly no shrinking violet.

Inside, as the Chinese brands do so well, it looks modern and technologically stylish. At this price, those double screens really are a bit more than expected.

We’re happy to report the build quality of this Omoda 5 appeared a little more consistent than earlier examples we tested last year. Panel gaps are more consistent in the cabin.

The quality of the trims and materials is also better than you might expect for this money. There is also a generous amount of storage up-front including a cooled storage box. The pad on the centre console is a bit Tesla in its style – it’s where smartphones are charged in higher grades.

At 4374mm the Omoda 5 FX is long for the compact class. And that means it releases reasonable backseat room, certainly good enough to fit a couple of kids. Taller people may find it just a smidge squeezy.

There are an impressive number of amenities back here including adjustable air vents, small door bins, map pockets, a fold-down armrest with twin cupholders and a single USB-A port.

The boot is sizeable if feature-light and it expands to more than 1000 litres if you split-fold the rear seats.

Get rolling and you’ll find the basic mechanical package of the Omoda 5 FX is inoffensive. With its compliant ride, wafer-light steering and spritely powertrain this is a car made for urban duties.

As acceptable as the 2025 Chery Omoda 5 FX is around town it loses its lustre pretty quickly once the speeds climb on the open road.

The soggy suspension induces lots of body roll and movement, while the electric-assist steering stays determinedly light and lacks connection.

The engine is the best bit. It can even have a mild character change via eco and sport modes. But it does suffer torque steer and wheelspin when accelerating and will surge and eddy annoyingly uphill when set on cruise control.

Fuel consumption is not the greatest strength of the engine, with an official 6.9L/100km claim. We got pretty close to it on-test though and it takes 91 RON fuel.

The worst bit of the Omoda 5 on-road experience is the tune of the driver assist systems. We’re talking lane keeping, driver monitoring and overspeed alerts.

Chery has had a go at re-tuning them since the Omoda 5 launched in Australia, but they could still be better.

There’s a tendency to snatch at the steering wheel and bing-bong too readily. Some of it has to be turned off to retain sanity. Some of it every time you start the car.

That drilling into monitors is an everyday part of the Omoda 5 experience, but at least there are some hard buttons retained for air-con and audio volume and power.

You can even change the instrument panel through the different views from traditional dials to sci-fi. But it is a clunky process that requires multiple stabs at the touchscreen and some think time from the operating system.

One bit of tech missing from the Omoda 5 is a surround-view camera. That’s understandable at this price, but it would be appreciated given it’s not the easiest car to see out of.

When it comes to the 2025 Chery Omoda 5 FX the good news is you get a bit more than what you are paying for.

Of course, you’re not paying for that much, so it helps to keep your expectations under control.

For your very acceptable spend there’s generous space, decent equipment levels especially in safety and technology terms and a long warranty to act as reassurance.

But it’s an exceedingly average drive which can descend into sheer frustration thanks to the coarse tune of some driver aids and mechanicals.

Still, at this money for a new car these days you can’t expect anything more than honest, basic transport. And that’s what the 2025 Chery Omoda 5 FX delivers.

2025 Chery Omoda 5 FX at a glance:

Price: $27,990 (drive-away)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 108kW/210Nm
Transmission: CVT automatic
Fuel: 6.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 164g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2022)

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