2023 Chery Omoda 5 priced below $40,000 drive-away, key details released

The 2023 Chery Omoda 5 – the first new model from Chinese brand Chery, which returns to Australia after an eight-year absence – is set to be priced from less than $40,000 drive-away and come with a seven-year warranty when showroom arrivals commence in March 2023.

The Omoda 5 – the first in a range of cars to come from the relaunched Chery brand – is a rival for small SUVs including the Mazda CX-30, Subaru XV and Toyota C-HR, as well as budget offerings such as the MG ZST and GWM Haval Jolion.

The Chinese car maker has today announced details of standard features – and an indicative price for the cheapest model in the range – however detailed information and exact prices are due closer to showroom arrivals.

Chery's first attempt to enter the Australian market from 2011 to 2015 saw it offer the cheapest new car on sale in Australia – the $9990 drive-away J1 city hatch.

The relaunched Chery range aims to undercut Japanese and South Korean rivals.

While poor safety ratings – and an asbestos recall – were part of the reasons behind Chery's withdrawal from Australia in 2015, all models in the new Omoda 5 range will be fitted as standard with a full suite of advanced safety technology and come with a five-star safety score.

Two model grades will initially be available – both with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and front-wheel drive – and a choice of seven colours.

The company says pre-orders are due to open shortly, and the first Australian examples have arrived ahead of the first customer deliveries in March.

Chery vehicles will sold through a network of 40 dealerships around Australia – initially focused in capital cities in every state and territory – with national drive-away prices.

The cars will be supported by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty – matching rivals MG and GWM Haval – with seven years of roadside assistance, while customers will also be able to opt for Chery vehicle finance within the national dealer network.

Service intervals are 12 months or 10,000km for the 1.5-litre turbo models, though the future 1.6-litre turbo models may command different service intervals.

Each of the first five services is due to cost "comfortably" less than $300 each, according to Chery executives – which compares favourably to market leader Toyota, which charges $250 for the first five services of a C-HR small SUV.

All Chery Omoda 5 models at launch will be powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with outputs of 115kW and 230Nm, and a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The claimed fuel consumption is 6.9 litres per 100km, with 91-octane regular unleaded fuel supported.

A 1.6-litre turbo-petrol model with front- or all-wheel drive is due in the second half of this year – ahead of an electric model in the first half of next year. A plug-in hybrid is in development, but it is unclear if it would come to Australia.

Chery executives would not be drawn on whether the price of the entry-level Omoda 5 – which is due to start with a three – will be closer to $30,000 or $40,000 drive-away.

Specifications confirmed by Chery Australia show the entry-level Omoda 5 variant will be equipped similarly to a high-specification MG ZST – priced from $31,000 to $34,000 drive-away – or a mid-trim GWM Haval Jolion Lux ($30,990 drive-away).

Prices for the high-grade Omoda 5 EX – and the upcoming EX+ and EX+ AWD with 1.6-litre turbo engines – are yet to be confirmed. Chery says the electric model will be priced "competitively".

More details of the 2023 Chery Omoda 5 are due closer to launch.