Chery Omoda 5 – What you need to know

One of the pioneering Chinese carmakers to land on our shores is Chery. The brand first arrived in 2011 and then quickly disappeared. It was relaunched here in late 2022 and one of its most popular models is the Omoda 5, which takes on a big field of established names in the competitive small SUV market.

Five variants complete the range with power from a turbo-petrol engine or an EV drivetrain. Grades span the entry-level FX, mid-spec BX and flagship EX, with BX and EX versions of the EV also available. All are front-wheel drive automatics, with prices ranging from $27,990 to $45,990 drive away.

That $27,990 (drive away) pricing will get you into the entry-level FX model with its 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT). It comes with the following standard features:

You can splash as much as $1700 on premium paint if you go for the red strike accents and black roof.

Anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, multi-collision braking, a reversing camera, plus front and rear parking sensors, seven airbags, tyre pressure monitoring and cruise control come standard across the range.

There’s a mountain of driver-assist features on every Chery Omoda 5 including forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, emergency lane keeping, lane departure warning and prevention, lane-keep and change assist, adaptive cruise control, auto wipers, headlights with auto high beam, traffic jam assist, integrated cruise assist, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and braking, rear collision warning, speed limit and control assist, and driver monitoring.

If the EX is your choice, you’ll also get a 360-degree monitor.

The kids are looked after with two ISOFIX anchor points and three top tethers for child seats and capsules.

Slip behind the wheel of any Chery Omoda 5 and you will be greeted with a dual 10.25-inch LCD instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreens. Played through six speakers is a Sony audio system with AM/FM and digital radio, and of course your favourite songs, podcasts and phone calls are piped through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and streamed via Bluetooth.

All Chery Omoda 5s come with (Hello Chery) intelligent voice commands along with several outlets for powering devices: USB-A, USB-C and 12V power outlets up front, and a USB-A port in the second row.

Stepping up to the BX snares wireless phone charging, two extra audio speakers and a 12V power outlet in the cargo area.

If you don’t want cables cluttering up the interior head over to either the BX or EX EV models for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Take a seat. In the Chery Omoda 5 every model boasts a six-way powered driver seat except for the BX model EV, which makes do with manual adjustment.

Forget the FX and BX models if you want a four-way powered front passenger seat as this feature is introduced on the EX; this model also introduces heated front seats and, in the EV variant, heated outboard rear seats.

Would you like the more upmarket look and feel of leather trim?
Skip the FX and its fabric trim and go for any model from the BX in petrol trim or EX in the EV for synthetic cowhide.

All models come with cup and bottle holders for everyone, a 60/40 split-fold rear seat with centre armrest and a centre console with rear vents.

Is privacy glass on the wish list?
If so you have one choice: the EX model EV. This model also has strobing rear turn indicators and puddle lamps, as does the turbo-petrol EX.

Would a sunroof be a deal maker or breaker?
You only have to reach as far as the EX in either petrol or EV for this.

While all Chery Omoda 5 models have air-conditioning, the FX runs a single-zone system while all other variants sport a dual-zone system for greater personal comfort. Rear vents are found in all models.

Helping keep noise to a minimum is the acoustic front door glass found on the BX petrol and EX EV models.

What about the convenience of a powered tailgate?
This very handy feature is found on the EX variant of both the EV and petrol models.

Outside, every Chery Omoda 5 model has a shark-fin antenna, rear spoiler, gloss black door mirrors (with power folding and heating functions), LED daytime running lights and taillights, auto headlights, LED front fog lights with corner lighting, LED rear fog lights and a rear wiper, along with an LED high-mounted stop light.

Setting them apart are the wheels, with the FX and BX rolling on 17-inch alloys and the EX wearing 18-inch alloys.

While the FX makes do with halogen projector headlights, all other models have LED headlights and from the EX up you get puddle lamps and a ‘welcome light show’ when you unlock the car.

Although the Chery Omoda 5 is a small SUV it’s still handy to know it’ll fit in your
car space. All petrol models measure 4374mm long (EVs 4424mm), 1830mm wide, 1588mm high and have a wheelbase of 2610mm.

Gross vehicle mass of petrol models varies from 1856kg to 1960kg, depending on the model, with tare weight spanning 1393kg to 1535kg.

The EV pair tip the scales at 2246kg gross and 1776kg tare weights respectively.

With all seats in place cargo capacity is 360 litres (300 in the EV), expanding to 1075 litres (1079 in the EV) with the rear seat folded.

Towing capacity information for turbo-petrol models isn’t available. But the EVs can tow up to 750kg, with a 75kg towball downforce limit.

The Chery Omoda 5 offers several power options. Nestled in the FX, BX and EX models is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 108kW and 210Nm of torque. It’s bolted to a continuously variable transmission and feeds power to the front wheels.

EV models are also front-wheel drive and see a 61.1kWh electric motor producing 150kW and 340Nm driving through a single gear. The EVs have a 460km range and with a DC fast charger can go from a 30 to 80 per cent charge in 28 minutes.

For my lifestyle an EV simply isn’t feasible. So that aside, which one would I go for? At all grades the Chery Omoda 5 is well kitted out, but I reckon the EX is where you get the ‘burger with the lot’ plus fries. At $37K drive away, it makes for good buying.

How much does the 2025 Chery Omoda 5 cost?
05 FX – $27,990 drive away
05 BX – $33,990 drive away
05 EX – $36,990 drive away
E5 BX – $42,990 plus on-road costs (EV)
E5 EX – $45,990 plus on-road costs (EV)

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