We attended the national media ride and drive event of the all-new Omoda C9 and share some info on the newcomer with you here.

Eighteen months ago the Omoda brand was a complete non-entity. Parent company Chery has been making headway in the local context, so it decided to introduce a few subsidiaries into the mix in the shape of Omoda and Jaecoo (O&J). The gamble has paid off with the twin brands selling over 500 units last month alone. That figure outstrips many established players in the market. This speaks of new-car buyers’ who are keen to explore new brands, regardless of where they are from.

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From Entry Level to Premium

Omoda made its entry into the local market with the C5. This entry-level model has provided the company with the bulk of its sales. In between there was the Jaecoo J7, a model we are yet to experience first hand. This week, O&J, has added a halo model to the portfolio in the shape of the Omoda C9. The Omoda C9 is quite stylish and many have commented that it has shades of Land Rover Velar about its lines. The C9 has a coupe-esque roofline, slim LED headlamps, vertical DRLs, flush-fitting door handles and rides on 20-inch alloys shod with Michelin rubber as standard. As a result it tends to look quite premium.

Lush Inside

That same aesthetic/feel is carried over into the cabin. The seats are covered in a leather (Nappa on the high-spec version), there are crisp LED screens on the facia and there is a high-level of standard specification. Among these are a multi-zone climate control system, heated and cooled front seats, heated and reclining rear seats, a panoramic roof, multi-speak Sony hifi and many others. 

Two Options

At the time of launch there are two Omoda C9 derivatives to choose from. The ‘Inspire’ version is front-wheel driven while the ‘Explore’ variant is all-wheel driven. There is a single engine option. This is a 2,0-litre turbocharged petrol that produces 192 kW and 400 N.m of torque. An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission on offer.

A Brief Taste

The national media ride and drive event took place around the scenic Cape Peninsula (with a few whales frolicking along the route for good measure). Our initial impressions of the C9 are quite positive. The model has excellent NVH suppression. That is to say it is quiet and cosseting in the cabin. The suspension is soft, as a family-aimed SUV should be. From the back seat the car somehow feels even nicer. In its home market, having a driver to chauffeur you around is not uncommon. Perhaps this was a consideration during the design phase. Our drive to and from dinner as well as to the airport were both relaxing and luxurious. There is plenty of power on tap from the turbopetrol engine, which also seems to work away quietly.

Pricing

So, how much does all this ‘niceness’ cost? Chery and O&J have been synonymous with price competitive products. The Omoda C9 Inspire costs R785 900 and Explore R885 900. However, Omoda SA will lop R25k off that if you order during the month of October.