The Omoda C5 is a new compact SUV from Chery's sub-brand, Omoda, which was launched in South Africa in April 2023. The Omoda C5 is available in Tech, Lux, Lux S, Elegance, and Elegance S grade levels and is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
The C5 is one of the first brand-new vehicles to be constructed on Chery's cutting-edge T1X architecture, which can support internal combustion engines (petrol and diesel), hybrid, electric, and even hydrogen powertrains. We currently only have petrol models available in SA.
Related: Haval Jolion S vs. Omoda C5 vs. Renault Captur - running cost comparison
OMODA C5 Interior
Once inside, you'll find a variety of high-end features like wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition technology, and two 10.25" high-resolution screens. The OMODA C5's sports seats have a high, single-piece headrest, advanced lateral support for the seat cushions, and are covered in perforated, premium eco-leather.
Based on our C5 review and C5 launch report on the the Omoda C5, it is a comfortable car that makes long drives more enjoyable, if you're not too tall:
Unfortunately, all is not perfect though and the seats, while electrically adjustable and heated, don't offer enough range of motion and the overall seating position is too high for the roof line, resulting in a slightly claustrophobic seating position. Those taller than 5'11" will struggle to sit comfortably in the Omoda C5. - Chad Luckhoff (read his C5 review here)
(Find out if it's good for families!)
OMODA C5 Safety
The C5's sturdy ultra-high tensile steel body, which is claimed to be able to withstand pressures exceeding 1,800 MPa, earns it a five-star Euro NCAP/ANCAP safety rating.
The Omoda C5 is also full of advanced driver assist systems, which could make long drives safer and less stressful. Elegance models have adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assistance, which takes the hard work out of long-distance driving. Here are the C5's top 3 safety features.
While my colleagues complained a about the CVT gearbox mapping being a bit finicky in town, this won't be an issue on longer journeys. Fuel efficiency is on par with Chery's other products which means it's not terribly light but not insanely heavy either - we reckon 7.8 - 8.3 litres per 100 km will be the going rate. (Here's everything you need to know about the C5.)
Verdict - is the C5 good for long drives?
Yes, we reckon it will be good for long drives, but we recommend taking the C5 for a proper test drive to ensure it is the car you want to commit to. Also, as OMODA (and the reimagined Chery brand) is new, we are not 100% sure of their after-sales reputation yet. We'll have more info on this as the years go by.
How much are car repayments on a new Omoda C5?
We suggest reading reviews on Hello Peter, as some dealerships are indeed better than others. Also, reach out to other owners of OMODA C5 and Chery products to find out if they're happy with their purchases so far.
Which Omoda C5 should you get?
Look at the spec sheet below to find the C5 that will work best for you.
Learn the differences between all five variants - View the full OMODA C5 spec sheet here.
