Top 5 rivals of the upcoming Chery Omoda E5

The Malaysian electric vehicle market has witnessed exponential growth in the past few years and is likely to maintain positive momentum this year as well. A fresh lineup of EVs is set to grace the local roads in 2024; one of which is the Chery Omoda E5. It is the all-electric version of the Omoda 5 SUV introduced in Malaysia in July last year.

Chery has started accepting registrations of interest for the upcoming Omoda E5, following the arrival of its first units on the local shores back in November. The EV is slated to launch in the first quarter of 2024 at an estimated cost ranging between RM 150,000 and RM 160,000.

In today’s story, we have come up with a list of the Chery Omoda E5 rivals to see where it will stand in Malaysia. But, before diving into that, let's first know a few important specifications of the EV.

The Chery Omoda E5 is powered by a single electric motor generating a maximum power of 201 hp. The motor is hooked to a 61 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, offering a WLTP-claimed driving range of 430 km on a single charge. With compatibility for both AC and DC charging, the battery juices up from 20 to 80% in just 30 minutes.

Design-wise, it looks much identical to its gas-powered model with a few EV-specific tweaks. In terms of features, it will have the “ADAS 2.5” advanced driver assistance kit, which is a step above the non-electric counterpart. 

Time to check out the upcoming Omoda E5 rivals -

GWM Ora Good Cat (Price - RM 139,800 to 169,800, Range - 400 to 500 km)

The GWM Ora Good Cat is a strong competitor to the upcoming Omoda E5 EV. Boasting a retro-inspired and futuristic design and advanced technology, the Good Cat promises an efficient and eco-friendly driving experience. It comes in two variants in Malaysia - 400 Pro and 500 Ultra, priced at RM 139,800 and RM 169,800, respectively. Both trims are powered by the same electric motor tuned to deliver 143 hp and 210 Nm. The two available battery options are - 47.8 kWh and 63.1-kWh providing a maximum range of 500 km (on the NEDC cycle).

The Chinese EV comes kitted with smart LED headlights, a full-width LED tail light bar, 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a 7.0-inch digital driver display, 10.25-inch infotainment unit, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, wireless charging pad, 360-degree surround-view monitor, electronic parking brake with auto hold, automatic climate control, power-adjustable driver seat, synthetic leather upholstery, and several advanced driver assistance systems.

BYD Atto 3 (Price - RM 149,800 to RM 167,800, Range - 345 km to 420 km)

BYD, the automaker that recently took over Tesla as the world’s biggest EV seller, offers the Atto 3 in Malaysia, which will also lock horns with the Omoda E5 EV upon its arrival. The BYD Atto 3 is available in two trims - Standard Range and Extended Range, priced between RM 149,800 and RM 167,800.

The Standard Range trim is equipped with a 201 hp/310 Nm electric motor and 49.92-kWh battery pack, which offers a WLTP-claimed driving range of 345 km. On the contrary, the Extended Range has a bigger 60.48-kWh unit allowing it to cruise up to 420 km on a single charge.

Parts of the Atto 3 feature kit are - adaptive LED headlights, power tailgate, panoramic sunroof, electrically heated and adjustable side mirrors, 18-inch alloy wheels, 5-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.8-inch rotatable infotainment unit, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, automatic air conditioning, ambient lighting, 8-speaker DIRAC HD Sound System, wireless phone charger, and a slew of advanced safety gears.

Hyundai Kona Electric (Price - RM 156,538 to RM 208,348, Range - 305 km to 484 km)

The Chery Omoda E5 will also rival the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electric in Malaysia. The Korean electric SUV comes in three variants - e-lite, e-plus, and e-max with a price ranging from RM 156,538 to RM 208,348. The e-lite and e-plus are loaded with a 136 hp/395 Nm electric motor and 39.2 kWh battery setup, which provides a range of 305 km. The range-topping e-Max offers a 484 km range backed by a 64 kWh unit.

In terms of features, the Hyundai Kona Electric comes with LED headlights, LED tail lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch digital driver display, an 8.0-inch infotainment unit, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto support, head-up display, single-zone climate control, wireless charging, powered front seats, leather upholstery, remote start, paddle shifters, and several driver-assistance gears.

Kia Niro (Price - RM 256,668, Range - 460 km)

The stylish and bold Kia Niro also presents a strong challenge to the upcoming Chery EV with its impressive drivetrain and advanced creature comforts. Dinamikjaya Motors retails the EV in a single fully imported variant at RM 256,668. Powering the Kia EV is a front-mounted electric motor good for making 201 hp and 255 Nm. It is mated to a 64.8 kWh battery pack allowing the EV to travel 460 km on a single charge.

The Kia Niro features dual LED projector headlights heated side view mirrors, smart-powered tailgate, 17-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, dual 10.25-inch displays, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, wireless charging pad, ambient mood lighting, power-adjustable front seats, Premium Relaxation mode for the front seats, electronic parking brake, 8-speaker sound system, and a bag full of safety bits.

Nissan Leaf (Price - RM 168,888, Range - 311 km)

Last but not least, the Nissan Leaf is also a competitor of the upcoming Chinese electric SUV. It is offered in a single variant in Malaysia, priced at RM 168,888. The Leaf is powered by an electric motor cranking out 150 PS of maximum power and a 40-kWh battery pack offering a cruising range of 311 km.

Among the key features of the EV are LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy rims, a 7.0-inch driver display, a 5.0-inch infotainment unit, automatic air-conditioning, and Nissan’s Safety Shield 360-degree suite. 

That’s a wrap for now. For further updates on the Chery Omoda E5, stay tuned with us.

Also read: 2023 Recap: Top 10 EVs launched in Malaysia