Question of the week: Is the new Omoda brand any good?

David Ross, Editor
Sat, 23 Nov 2024

Dear Honest John,

"Any thoughts on this new to the UK Omoda brand? I think it’s owned by Chery. The first model seems good value although with basic engines."

- GC

Dear GC,

Omoda is a Chinese brand that is new to the UK this year and as you rightly say, is a subsidiary of Chery, a large Chinese automotive manufacturer.

So far the only model is the Omoda 5, a family-sized SUV that is competing with cars like the Nissan Qashqai and the MG HS, although a larger SUV model is expected to join the range as well as an electrified version called the E5.

Omoda also has a sister brand called Jaecoo which produces more luxurious vehicles, with the J7 SUV PHEV also expected to reach UK showrooms in the future.

We've yet to try the Omoda 5 for ourselves on UK roads but initial impressions suggest that it is good value and has a strong specification, but lags behind key rivals in terms of space efficiency and the driving experience.

Given that Omoda is backed by Chery it seems unlikely that it will disappear quickly, but with a limited model range at the moment and a dealer network that is yet to reach 100 locations, it might be worth waiting a while to see how it progresses in the UK.

Ask HJ

Should I buy a used car now or wait for January?

I’m looking for a 2 to 4 year old small SUV, budget around £15k maximum, from a main dealer. Is November a good month to get a deal, or should I wait until January, when the cars are a year older?

Seasonal variations in prices can mean better deals at certain times of the year. When buying used there can be good deals around the registration changes in March and September as there is a turnover in new vehicles. January can also be a quiet month for used cars as many households are tightening the purse strings, so it is potentially a good month to look for deals.

Answered by David Ross

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