Omoda - Team Test Review | Fifth Gear

The new car company you’ve never heard of, and we’re one of the first to get our hands on this new model, an EV SUV.

#FifthGear #TeamTest

[norbertmachaj]

Sorry "experts", the car looks ok.

[TheGhiaDriver]

Still looks better than a modern BMW somehow, I would never have thought I'd be saying that a few years ago.

[krisg.]

Since when a 35k car is cheap? Are you guys making what, 300k a year to imply that? It's expensive for what it's really...

[catvisimo]

Plato on point with the reality, EXCELLENT Man!

[Eccentricplum]

Just like what Clarkson says, “all new cars look the same all new cars are shit”

[USUG]

to break into a new market with a MEH proposition, you have to price it like 5k cheaper than the competition, to have any chance of succeeding

[quicknickdriver]

“When you’re sat in the driver’s seat, you don’t even have to look at it”; applies to any car you may drive.

[philipc]

Wonder what Jason would say if you tell him it's a Rover 😄

[shaunkorsten]

It's interesting to hear how those in Europe perceive Chinese cars. Plato was being a bit of noob though.

In South Africa, the Chinese have flooded our market and gained quite a foothold as they've undercut everyone on pricing. Many consumers are cash-strapped and these Chinese cars, on paper at least, are good value.

You can buy a Tiguan-sized 7 seater brimming with features for £20 000. An actual Tiguan will cost you almost double that, and you'll pay extra for many of the features standard on the Chinese car.
They're far from perfect, but they're enough for many South Africans who just want a 'lekker' car that doesn’t break the bank.

Our market has shifted from being brand-biased to price conscience, and many legacy brands such as Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, etc. have all seen massive dips in sales as a result. Mazda SA reported a 65% dip in sales from 2019-2024. None of them can compete on price.

Europe and America's current blockout of Chinese cars might be crucial to ensuring the sustainability of their local auto industry

[jamiebedwell]

I’m not a fan of this car or exterior design but I have driven the larger petrol Omoda C9 and it is great looking with a stunning interior.

[patrickf]

Plato saying "Cause it's garbage" sums it up as a whole pretty nicely. If you are buying this kind of crap with your own hard earned money, you have completely lost control over your life.

[barnoslogik]

if they sold this at around the 25K they could well get a foothold in the market, but i hate the fact that car shows like this are trying to make out £33-35K is cheap, its not cheap by any stretch for a normal family.
Its an ok looking SUV, the tech is probably decent, but i get that very kia/hyundai of 20-25 years ago where they would be overlooked and looked down upon, but equally they had to improve to win people over and now look at the sportage and tuscon, 2 of the best sellers in that part of the market.

[tpolestarcyan]

I rather go for the top of the E5 (ours is the EX) which have independent rear suspension. Also there are times you'll need a full size spare if your tyre is damaged BEYOND repair ie. slashed tyre, ripped tyre and more UNLESS your tyre shops open EVERY DAY and odd hours! Ours generally open only on weekdays! Making our cars easily stranded (behind shops) for an entire weekend! With a full size spare, we wouldn't need wait for a shop to open or even make special request(s).
You're right about ergonomics with its charging port and build quality of it. For that my eyes are now for BYD Atto 3 or even MG ZS EV (or an upcoming ES5 EV), otherwise I'm more for MG4 and Cyberster.

[urbanstrencan]

This is huge miss, looks awful 😂😂😂.
Great to see Fifth Gear back Rory, Vicky, Plato you are just awesome 👍❤

[realbangau]

Well... the company does take things from other cars into its own design. China is still trying to learn about global car designs. Right now, they are trying to get us to like theirs by using designs we are familiar with. The rest, they employ tonnes of consultants from around the world. The amount of foreigners helping them out... give them time and they will understand the game. Their fans love them for the low prices.

[stephenconway]

How do you expect depreciation to go? That plus maintenance costs relative to other brands, puts it as expensive.

[chrisw]

Test drove one a few weeks ago half an hour after the Jeep Avenger the press raved about. This was by far the better car. The Jeep on the other hand was about what you would have expected from Skoda in '88

[spg]

You guys are on point, I spotted one the other day, I was so confused I thought it was a qashqai.

[sharonec]

I think its a 7 out of 10 car. Its good looking both inside and out, drives good, just a few little nighkws they need to sort like that charging flap and the sharp edges.

[shelbynamels]

Wonder how it does on a crash test. How about running it into a wall at the end of the segment??