Omoda 9 PHEV: China’s Plug-In Power Move

Chery’s big bet for Europe. They have long promised a serious push into Europe. With the Omoda 9 Plug-in Hybrid, the Chinese brand’s sub-label is taking another run at it. This time with plenty of power, long range, and an interior that aims to impress just as much as the drivetrain.

Bold but not brash

In today’s SUV market, no front end is complete without an LED light bar, and the Omoda 9 is no exception. It doesn’t exactly blend into traffic, but the positioning is deliberate: this is aimed at lifestyle-driven, self-confident buyers who like to stand out. Competing with the VW Tayron eHybrid, Škoda Kodiaq iV and Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV is no easy task. Yet the Omoda 9 manages to look stylish without sliding into gimmick territory.

An Audi déjà-vu?

Step inside and the déjà-vu is strong. Two curved 12.3-inch displays share a seamless glass cover, backed by an augmented-reality head-up display projecting information onto 50 inches of virtual screen space. Add in rotary dials that feel almost borrowed from Audi’s early-2000s design language, and the resemblance is clear.

Luxury touches abound: a panoramic glass roof, soft-touch leather surfaces, covered cupholders, and power-adjustable, heated and ventilated seats front and rear. Comfort is high, though lateral support could be better. The Sony audio system with 14 speakers, ambient lighting, built-in dashcam, and wireless phone charging round out the kit. CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

Filled with tech and an impressive powertrain

As with many Chinese models, the infotainment menus take some acclimatization. Once learned, navigation is easy enough, and steering wheel haptic buttons help, but their flat design makes them harder to operate without looking, and feedback lacks the satisfying click of mechanical switches.

Underneath, the Omoda 9 PHEV combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (105 kW / 143 PS) with one electric motor per axle. Total system output is 340 kW / 463 PS. At 2,195 kilograms, it’s no lightweight, yet acceleration is brutal: 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds, top speed 180 km/h.

Range is where the plug-in concept shines. With a 70-liter fuel tank and a 34.46 kWh battery, combined range reaches up to 1,100 kilometers. The electric-only figure is 145 kilometers. Official consumption is 1.7 l/100 km, though in testing, spirited driving returned 4.9 l/100 km.

Charging speeds are decent: 65 kW DC brings the battery from 30 to 80 percent in 25 minutes. Less impressive is the AC side at just 6.6 kW. Eleven kilowatts would be the minimum expectation in this segment.

The driving impression is very comfy

Drivers can choose from six modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Mud, and Offroad. The all-wheel drive system shifts torque as needed, and even in Eco the Omoda 9 never feels sluggish. Cabin noise is low, ride comfort is high thanks to adaptive dampers, a McPherson front axle, and multilink rear setup. Push hard, however, and body roll becomes noticeable, while the steering feels light and somewhat artificial. Finding an ideal seating position is also hampered by limited steering wheel reach adjustment.

At 4.77 meters long with a 2.80-meter wheelbase, cabin space is generous. Rear passengers over 1.80 meters can sit comfortably, while luggage space is adequate at 471 liters, expanding to 1,004 liters with seats folded. That’s less than the Škoda Kodiaq iV, which offers up to 1,945 liters.

It’s cheaper than the european rivals

Chery plans to bring the Omoda 9 PHEV to Germany, though timing is still unannounced. In Spain, the SUV starts around €45,000, undercutting the VW Tayron eHybrid (€54,165), Škoda Kodiaq iV (€49,220), and Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV (€64,150). Competitive pricing may give Omoda the foothold it has long sought in Europe.