Chery Omoda 5: Cars the upcoming SUV will rival

Chery is set to make a comeback to Malaysia with its new SUV, the Omoda 5. The Chinese automaker recently launched a dedicated Omoda 5 fan page on Facebook that hints at the imminent arrival of the car. So, today we have come up with the Chery Omoda 5 rivals list to see where it will stand in the local market. But, before diving into that, let's first know a brief history of Chery cars in Malaysia.

Known as one of China's largest passenger car exporters, Chery first entered the Malaysian market in 2005 and was taken care of by Chery Alado. The authorised distributor was retailing imported Chery QQ, Tiggo SUV, and B240 MPV models; however, one of the main issues it faced was the high selling price of the cars as compared to the locally-made Proton and Perodua models. So although it started the local assembly of the Chery cars later on and did well until late 2009, it finally had to leave the market.

Contrary to that, the brand has been continuously attaining explosive growth in global markets. And with that strength, it is set to start a new journey in Malaysia with an array of new cars, including the Omoda 5.

Omoda is the brand's new global product series, and Omoda 5 is the first model in that series. It is also the first product under the Chery 4.0 era. Being a family-size crossover SUV, it measures 

4,400 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width, 1,585 mm in height, and carries a wheelbase of 2,630 mm. Under the bonnet, the Malaysia-spec Omoda 5 is expected to have a 1.6-litre TGDI petrol mill generating a maximum power output of 197 PS and a peak torque of 290 Nm. The motor will be coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

Design-wise, the SUV boasts a new 'Art in Motion' design philosophy with an integrated diamond matrix grille, split LED headlights, and LED DRLs. Adding to the sporty look of the SUV is a sloping, coupe-like silhouette and sharp tail light clusters on the rear. Inside the Omoda 5 lies two 12.3-inch displays, a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, and plush-looking sport seats with headrests. 

Time to check the upcoming Omoda 5 rivals -

Proton X50

The first and foremost competitor of the Omoda 5 is the segment's best-seller Proton X50 which has everything up its sleeve to woo the customers. It comes equipped with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo engine. The lower version of the mill delivers 150 horsepower and a peak torque of 226 Nm, while the higher iteration is good for making 177 PS and 255 Nm. On the transmission front, the duties are handled by a 7-speed DCT.

Included in the Proton X50 features are auto headlamps, LED tail lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, 7.0-inch digital instrument panel, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with voice assistant, auto air-conditioning, a dual-tone exterior paint finish, a 360-degree camera, and several active safety and driver assistance systems.

Honda HR-V

First introduced in 2015, the Honda HR-V has been winning the hearts of enthusiasts with its looks and contemporary features. The latter comprises auto LED headlamps, fog lights, rear lights, 18-inch rims, a 7.0-inch infotainment unit, powered seats, leather upholstery, Honda's LaneWatch, and a pack of advanced safety features. The Japanese SUV gets energy from a 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that kicks out 142 PS of maximum power and 172 Nm of peak torque. The power is transmitted to the wheels through a G-Design Shift CVT system.

Peugeot 2008

Next on the Chery Omodo 5 rivals list is the Peugeot 2008, which recently received an upgrade in Malaysia. The French SUV is kitted with LED lights, 17-inch Salamanca two-tone alloy wheels, Peugeot 3D i-Cockpit, a 10-inch 3D instrument cluster, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and advanced safety features. Under the hood, it comes fitted with a 1.2-litre PureTech turbocharged three-cyl mill that delivers a power output of 110 hp and a peak torque of 230 Nm. The transmission duties are taken care of by a six-speed automatic transmission.

So, are you excited about the Omoda 5 launch? Let us know in the comments.

Also read: Chery exports close to 20,000 vehicles in February