Chinese car maker reveals sharp pricing
Omoda is gunning for mainstream attention with an affordably priced SUV pairing, writes Matthew Hansen.
The freshest face to join New Zealand’s growing motoring landscape, Omoda, has confirmed local pricing for the first two models in its line-up — the C5 and E5. Based on shared underpinnings, the two compact crossover models are aimed at the likes of the Haval Jolion, Toyota Yaris Cross and forthcoming Honda HR-V on the petrol side, and the BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS EV on the electric side.
The petrol-fed Omoda C5 comes with either a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine developing 108kW/210Nm and paired to a CVT, or a 147kW/290Nm 1.6-litre paired to a 7-speed DCT.
Pricing for the C5 begins at $29,990 for the entry-level BX 1.5-litre, lifting to $34,990 for the EX 1.5-litre that Stuff reviewed earlier this year. The 1.6-litre is available as either the GT FWD or GT AWD, priced from $37,990 and $39,990, respectively.
For reference, the Haval Jolion petrol lineup is priced between $29,990 and $35,990, while the BYD Atto 3 Extended Range (which shares the same 61kWh Blade battery as the Omoda E5) is priced from $59,990.
The E5, meanwhile, gets a 61kWh battery good for a WLTP-rated range of up to 450km. Power comes from a single electric motor sending 150kW/340Nm to the front wheels. It can charge at up to 80kW on a DC connection and 9.9kW on AC.
The E5 will be offered in BX and EX trims, priced at $47,990 and $54,990, respectively. This makes the Omoda E5 the cheapest electric SUV on the market currently, edging the $50,990 MG ZS EV. The caveat to this pricing is that it is an introductory special, meaning it could creep up over time.
The brand’s pricing not only places it at the pointy end of the market in terms of value, but also undercuts Australian pricing on the same models by a few thousand dollars, depending on the spec.
“This is a highly competitive offer, which we know will disrupt the New Zealand EV market,” Omoda NZ country manager Sheldon Humpheries said at Omoda’s Auckland Viaduct launch event this week.
The event also saw Omoda confirm a new partnership with not-for-profit charity organisation Keep New Zealand Beautiful, with the brand also performing its ceremonial vehicle handover to its first local customer.
Standard equipment across all grades and powertrains includes dual 10.25-inch screens, wireless device charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a comprehensive safety suite that includes radar cruise control and lane-keep assist. The C5 already boasts a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Flagship variants, meanwhile, add features like heated seats front and rear, a panoramic glass sunroof, heated windscreen, ambient lighting and more.
Both the C5 and E5 get a substantial seven-year warranty with roadside assistance, while the E5 also gets an eightyear/160,000km battery warranty, with the marque evidently keen to give buyers willing to take the punt on a new brand some added peace of mind.