Just when you thought you had the Kiwi SUV market figured out, a new-ish player kicks the door down, turns the music up, and starts pouring drinks. OMODA JAECOO, the fresh-faced brand that’s been making waves, is now throwing its flagship into the ring. Say hello to the Omoda 9 SHS, a large, luxurious SUV that seems to have read the premium European catalogue and decided it could do it all, but for a whole lot less.
Priced from a seriously sharp $68,990 plus on-road costs, the Omoda 9 arrives in a single, jam-packed ‘Virtue’ variant. The brand isn’t shy about its ambitions, with Chief Commercial Officer Roy Munoz calling it “a statement of what our brand is capable of”. And looking at the spec sheet, it’s a heck of a statement.
Power Meets Ludicrous Power
Under the sleek skin, Omoda has deployed its new ‘Super Hybrid System’ (SHS), and “super” is right. It pairs a modest 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with not one, not two, but three electric motors. While the petrol engine provides a sensible 105kW, the electric motors join the party to unleash a staggering combined output of 395kW.
The result? This large, family-sized SUV launches from 0-100km/h in a blistering 4.9 seconds. That’s not just quick for an SUV; that’s knocking on the door of proper performance cars. Power is sent to all four wheels, with the rear axle driven by its own electric motor, and a three-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission handling things up front.
But here’s the clever bit. Despite the wild performance, it’s not all about burning fuel. The 34kWh battery allows for up to 169km (NEDC) of pure electric driving. In hybrid mode, the engine and motors work together to deliver a bladder-testing total range of up to 1,100km. When you do need to plug in, a DC fast charger will get the battery from 30-80% in just 25 minutes.
A Full Deck of Tech and Luxury
For $68,990, Omoda has seemingly thrown every feature it has at the 9. The ‘Virtue’ model comes standard with a list of goodies long enough to make a German product manager weep.
You get a massive panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated leather seats for both front and rear passengers, a heated steering wheel, and even an in-built fragrance system. The driver is treated to a Head-Up Display, an 8-way power seat, and a killer 14-speaker Sony sound system that includes two speakers built into the driver’s headrest.
The dashboard is dominated by dual 12.3-inch screens for instruments and infotainment, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also an in-built dashcam, a blazing-fast 50W wireless phone charger, and the now-familiar “Hello Omoda” voice command system to control everything from the radio to the sunroof. And when you arrive, Automatic Parking Assist and a 360-degree camera will handle the hard work for you.
Peace of Mind Included
To silence any doubters, OMODA JAECOO is backing its flagship with a comprehensive warranty package. This includes a 7-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for the vehicle, an 8-year warranty for the hybrid battery, and up to 7 years of roadside assistance. It’s a strong vote of confidence in a complex new machine.
The Omoda 9 is a seriously ambitious play, landing in dealerships from early July. It aims to deliver the design, performance, and tech of a six-figure premium SUV for the price of a mid-spec competitor. The establishment has officially been put on notice.
