• Plush feel overall
• Some disappointing plastics to be found
• Physical controls welcome, but we’d like more

How is the quality and layout?

We wish the driver’s seat would go a bit lower and the steering wheel could be adjusted farther out to get the ideal driving position, but we’ve few complaints about the quality. The interior looks impressively premium at first glance, and some heavy-duty prodding and poking reveals there is substance behind the soft-touch plastics, leather-effect materials and dramatic design. Save for the creaky trim piece that sits beneath the twin screens, everything feels sturdy.

Only an easily scratched bit of plastic by the interior door handle really lets the side down. It feels posher than the price tag would suggest thanks in part to some heavy Mercedes influence – just look at the electric seat controls and steering column stalks. There’s a touch-sensitive panel to the right with shortcut icons to the camera system, hill descent mode and ESC off; a nice idea, shame they are obscured by the steering wheel.

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There are even rotary controls for the interior temperature (driver’s side only unless the two zones are synced), fan speed and drive mode with buttons for other key functions in their centres. Skoda’s Kodiaq has a similar setup albeit with a cheaper look and feel. Overall it’s an impressive effort that most will find plusher than even a Volkswagen Tayron.

Infotainment and tech

Two 12.3-inch screens sit atop the dash behind a curved glass screen. The driver’s display on the right is controlled by icons on the steering wheel with the left a touchscreen for the infotainment. If that wasn’t enough display real estate, you also get a head-up display as standard, too.

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We’ve no complaints regarding the quality of the graphics and the responsiveness of the system. However, many of the menus have tiny icons for you to press which can make it hard to use on the move. Shortcut icons along the bottom of the screen take you to a few key menus, and you can access the air con from by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, with more shortcuts if you swipe down from the top.

Swiping like this doesn’t always work, but when it does it’s a handy feature. That’s especially true when you realise how many screens deep the heated and ventilated seat controls are. We also wish there was more choice of content in the sharp-looking driver’s display.

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There’s a 14-speaker Sony stereo including driver’s headrest-mounted speakers for added novelty, although sound quality was a bit of a disappointment. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and completely take over the screen, making it harder than it should to get back to Omoda’s software. Wireless phone charging is standard and is able to slowly top up the phone if you’re using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. We’d recommend a USB cable if you’re hoping for faster charging when connected.

Comfort

Creature comforts include a panoramic roof, heated reclining rear seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and electrically adjusted heated and ventilated front seats. Much of this would be an expensive option in other similarly priced SUVs yet is standard on the Omoda 9.

We do have a few niggles. The driver’s seat feels narrow at its base and its height can leave you feeling perched in the 9 rather than sitting in it. That said, those that like to tower over the dashboard and look down the bonnet will appreciate the commanding driving position.