Overview

Should you buy an Omoda 9 SUV?

Assuming you can look past a few niggles, it’s certainly worthy of closer inspection. It’s packed to the rafters with equipment and comes with an efficient, powerful hybrid system despite costing around the same as slower, entry-level versions of the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tiguan plug-in hybrids.

It’s not without flaws. The ride can be unsettled at low speed, and some interior materials let the side down. The driving position and infotainment are not without issue either, and you won’t be having fun in the bends. There’s also the question of reliability for a new to the UK brand, and just how well it’ll hold onto its value a few years down the line.

What is it?

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Fancy BMW or Mercedes level premium feel but at a mainstream price? Enter the Omoda 9, a large family SUV that aims to bring luxury to the masses. It’s the follow-up to the Omoda 5 and Omoda E5, and steps in as the brand’s flagship plug-in hybrid SUV.

Promising style, space and sophistication for less than the price of an entry-level Range Rover Evoque, the Omoda 9 is squarely aimed at young professionals who want the premium SUV experience without the big badge markup. It’s eye-catching, tech-laden, and loaded with kit as standard.

The Omoda 9 comes in just one version, and virtually everything is included as standard. That means those huge screens, the full Sony sound system, panoramic roof, heated and ventilated seats, and the full suite of driver assistance features.

The only real decision is the colour, with fancier paint choices being the only paid-for extra. It’s not like you get a lacklustre engine and gearbox either, with the 9 only coming with the Super Hybrid System that pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a giant battery pack and dual electric motors.

A 93-mile electric range puts it ahead of all similarly priced plug-in rivals which is great news for company car drivers. It’s also surprisingly potent, with a total hybrid system output of 449hp, which is enough for startling acceleration.

There are some very capable rivals to consider, such as the Volkswagen Tayron eHybrid and Skoda Kodiaq, as well as fellow Chinese offering, the BYD Seal-U. So, does it pull it off? We’ve driven the Omoda 9 extensively over hundreds of miles in the UK after living with one for a week.

You can find out more about how we test on Parkers via our dedicated explainer page. But in the meantime, read on to find out all you need to know about the Omoda 9.