Having already reviewed the Omoda C5 and its EV sibling the E5, you’d have thought that was it, but thankfully for us, the C5 has a more powerful GT model (2 in fact) and we couldn’t wait to give it a thrash – sorry, I mean test it out.
To recap, Omoda as a vehicle marque only debuted in 2022, however, it falls under the Chinese giant ‘Chery’s’ umbrella, which began in 1997. The O in Omoda relates to ‘oxygen’, while Moda means ‘modern’, and when it comes to their vehicles, Omoda is out to be a low/no-emission brand that targets the fashion conscience. Are you still with me?
The Omoda C5’s I’ve driven before have been powered by a ‘conventional’ 1.5L Turbo (108kW/210Nm) petrol-fuelled engine, mated to a CVT transmission that drove the front wheels. They run on 91 octane which is better for the wallet and claims 6.9L/100km fuel efficiency, however, although its emissions are better than some, its 164g/km will undoubtedly be offset with sales of the E5 EV.
Anyway, for those looking for something with extra zip, there’s the Omoda C5 GT. Under the bonnet lies a more powerful 1.6L turbo petrol engine (137kW/275Nm) mated to a 7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) and sends its (in my case) front wheels, or there is an AWD option too.
0-100km/h is quicker and although Omoda don’t appear to have it in their spec sheet, it has an 8 seconds feel about it (so a solid second faster than the regular). Oddly the fuel consumption is marginally lower than the regular 6.8L/100km (2WD) 7.4 (AWD), yet it doesn’t take regular fuel with 95 or Higher recommended.
The C5 GT’s dimensions are the same, with its 4.4m length, 1.83m width and 1.59m height meaning it will happily fit in most garages, it’s also got a 360L-1075L luggage space that’s more than enough for most shopping trips. What’s more, the tailgate opens automatically, (stand close then step back) so you won’t have to struggle when laden with shoe boxes.
As with the regular, the GT’s looks are hard to miss, with a grille that’s both expansive, latticed and loaded with chrome gems, and the LED head and DRL lights are slim and T-shaped. My model came with 18-inch alloys with striking red accents, which matched the red stripe that ran under its nose, along the protected sills and up near the roofline spoiler. The roof itself is ‘floating’ and has a large sunroof, while the rear comes with a full width lightbar and ‘welcome’ lights. It’s a chic looker, that’s for sure.
Step inside and get ready for a treat! The vibrant red piping accents along the synthetic leather seats and dash create an eye-catching theme that instantly elevates the vibe. With a cabin that’s all about ‘moda’ modern and thoughtfully designed, you’ll find everything at your fingertips. Switch between eco and sport driving modes with ease, cozy up with heated seats, and effortlessly control the stereo volume with just a twist of the dial. Plus, you won’t have to worry about your phone running out of battery with two wireless charging points at your disposal, perfect for staying in touch with your agent or sharing your awesome adventures on social media!
The dashboard is dominated by a stunning 10.25-inch digital screen that offers crisp and clear images for both your infotainment and instrument clusters. Trust me, you’ll be impressed with the vibrant visuals, especially the impressive 3D and 360-degree parking views. With a wealth of apps and an abundance of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) for extra driving security, you’ll feel both entertained and protected on the road.
And speaking of safety—the Omoda C5 has scored a fantastic 5-Star ANCAP safety rating in Australia (under the Chery name), so you can cruise with confidence.
As luck would have it (bad luck that is), much of my time with the GT was spent under a rain cloud – don’t you just love Auckland in the Spring. To be honest, I don’t think that would have been too much of a problem for the CVT delivered power of the regular C5, however, the extra oomph and 7-speed DCT meant that the front wheels span (a lot) at junctions – somewhat unnerving at junctions.
To be perfectly clear, the power delivery and sodden tarmac is not an ideal combination, but I want to stress that it’s more ‘inconvenient’ than terrifying, as it doesn’t feel out of control, just a little frustrating. Curbing your enthusiasm and/or going for the AWD option would surely cure these ails, but where’s the fun in that.
On the flip side, when on the move everything clicks into place. The engine and gearbox combo sounds far more virile than its CVT counterpart and while the handling is similar, the GT does exit corners with increased intensity.
The software switches well between screens and the information you are delivered is really well laid out, and personalisable too. There is also a nice driving feel to switch between eco and sport, but I’m sure you know that most of my time was spent in the latter.
The GT is a big improvement over the regular C5, particularly for those that want more zip and less CVT drone. Sure there are some compromises to be made in the rain, and at the fuel pump, but the reward is greater. Nice job.
