The Omoda 9 arrives with audacious design cues borrowed from ultra-premium marques, a bewilderingly powerful hybrid powertrain, and equipment levels that embarrass established rivals. But does this ambitious newcomer have the substance to match its style, or is it all show and no go? We decided to take it for a football weekend in Taupo.
Exterior Design – High roller meets middle-class sensibility
First impressions matter, and the Omoda 9 certainly makes one. This is not a wallflower SUV content to blend into suburban anonymity. The front end design commands attention with vertical daytime running lights that bear an unmistakable resemblance to those adorning the premium marque SUV (a cheeky bit of automotive aspiration that either delights or dismays depending on your perspective). Plus its high bonnet line creates an imposing presence that will undoubtedly dominate the rear-view mirror of anyone unfortunate enough to be ahead of you in traffic.
At 4,775mm long and 1,920mm wide, the Omoda 9 occupies substantial road space, projecting the visual heft expected of a modern family SUV. It’s a bold design statement that suggests the car costs considerably more than its $68,990 starting price – think of it as automotive overachievement.
In fairness, the styling won’t be universally loved, but it demonstrates confidence from a brand still establishing itself in competitive Western markets. Whether this assertive design ages gracefully or dates quickly remains to be seen, though the current trend toward vertical lighting elements suggests Omoda has made a reasonably future-proof choice.
Interior Quality – Reaching for Premium, Achieving More than Adequate
Slide into the driver’s seat and you’re greeted by a cabin that initially impresses beyond its aforementioned price point. Sweeping dashboard lines flow elegantly from door to door, while synthetic leather upholstery adds a veneer of sophistication. The bulky centre console contributes to a feeling of solidity and substance that compares favorably against rivals.
However, closer inspection reveals the limitations of budget luxury. The synthetic leather feels thin under scrutiny, and certain plastics betray the car’s true cost-conscious origins. It’s the automotive equivalent of a well-tailored suit made from bargain fabric, so looks good from a distance, but doesn’t quite convince up close. Still, quality benchmarks roughly match the likes of a Kia Sportage, which represents perfectly acceptable territory for this segment.
Ergonomics present mixed results. Tall drivers may find the seating position uncomfortably high, creating the sensation of perching atop the vehicle rather than nestling within it. Limited steering wheel adjustment compounds this issue, forcing some drivers to sit closer to the wheel than ideal. And that bulky centre console, while visually impressive, intrudes on driver space.
Rear passengers fare considerably better, enjoying generous legroom and headroom across three seats. The 660L boot surpasses the Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage, Cupra Terramar, and Toyota RAV4, though it trails the Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008. Practical square dimensions aid usability, complemented by useful underfloor storage for securing valuables.
Infotainment – Speed Without Sensibility
Technology pervades the Omoda 9’s cabin, headlined by twin 12.3-inch displays housed within a unified black bezel. Response times are impressively quick, with menus loading instantaneously and inputs registering without lag. Unfortunately, speed cannot compensate for baffling menu logic and confusing navigation that transforms simple tasks into frustrating exercises.
The lack of quick shortcuts for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto proves particularly irksome, requiring multiple button presses to switch between native and smartphone-mirrored systems. This demands prolonged glances away from the road, which then triggers the driver monitoring system to scold you for inattention. For Breaking bad fans, it’s a Kafkaesque loop of automotive annoyance.
Redemption arrives via the large physical climate control dials that blessedly avoid menu-diving for temperature adjustments. The middle dial switches drive modes, though deciphering the various settings proves unnecessarily complex.
Powertrain – Where the Omoda 9 Truly Shines
Beneath the bonnet resides the Omoda 9’s genuine party piece, a sophisticated 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with battery-powered electric motors delivering a combined 395kW. That’s supercar-territory power in a family SUV, absurd, excessive, and oddly wonderful.
In practice, the system operates primarily on electric power, with the petrol engine functioning more as a generator than direct motivation. This delivers the smooth, serene driving experience characteristic of electric vehicles without range anxiety. When the petrol engine does engage, integration is so seamless you’ll barely notice.
The headline achievement is the extraordinary 169km (NEDC) electric-only range – approximately double what most plug-in hybrid competitors manage. For drivers with home charging capability undertaking predominantly local journeys, petrol consumption could theoretically approach zero for extended periods.
Real-world efficiency impresses regardless. I personally took the family to Taupo for the weekend, drove around for 3 days and returned with fuel to spare. And while its 0-100 time suggests wild performance (around 5 seconds we hear), in my experience it feels brisk rather than brutally fast.
Driving Dynamics – Comfort Over Cornering
The Omoda 9 prioritises comfort over dynamic engagement, which suits its family-focused mission. On motorways, the compliant suspension smooths imperfections effectively while wind and road noise remain pleasingly subdued. It’s a refined, relaxing long-distance companion.
That comfort-biased setup extracts a price on challenging roads. The soft suspension permits considerable body roll through corners, while continuous lumps and undulations common to NZ roads cause noticeable bouncing. Light steering calibrated for urban maneuverability further undermines confidence when pace increases.
The semi-autonomous driving assistance, standard equipment that initially appears generous, ultimately frustrates. The system constantly battles the driver for lane positioning, switching on and off repeatedly when it detects manual corrections. Thankfully, holding the activation button defaults to traditional adaptive cruise control, which functions perfectly without intrusive steering inputs.
Alternatives like the Cupra Terramar sacrifice some ride comfort for sharper handling, while the Volkswagen Tiguan and Kia Sportage strike a more balanced compromise.
Tarmac Takeaway
The Omoda 9 resembles choosing a Woolworths Select ready meal over branded alternatives, (currently) lacking prestige recognition but delivering surprising quality where it matters. The exceptional hybrid powertrain and generous equipment specification create compelling value, though infotainment frustrations and underwhelming driving dynamics prevent it from toppling segment stalwarts.
For families prioritising space, efficiency, and equipment over badge appeal and driving polish, the Omoda 9 presents an intriguing alternative worth investigating.
