Omoda C9 (2025) Review
Size-wise, the Omoda C9 – the flagship of the Chery Group’s O&J division – fits into the Executive SUV segment, but price-wise, it competes with top-end family cars. Indeed, the model represents excellent value for money, but does it flatter to deceive?
We like: Comprehensive spec, surprisingly competent on gravel, spaciousness, practicality, on-road refinement.
We don’t like: Overbearing safety tech, some minor quality issues, high fuel consumption.
FAST FACTS
- Model: Omoda C9 2.0TGDI 400T Explore AWD
- Price: R885 900 (January 2025, before options)
- Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Power/Torque: 192 kW/400 Nm
- 0-100 kph: 8.52 sec (as tested)
- Fuel consumption: 8.5 L/100 km (claimed)
- Luggage capacity: 660–1 783 litres
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Where does the 2025 Omoda C9 fit in?
By offering well-priced vehicles in the small and medium crossover segments, the Chery Group (Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo) has established a substantial foothold in South Africa in a relatively short space of time. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the brands’ line-ups have diversified and pushed upmarket, but will local car buyers also have a healthy appetite for the Chinese giant’s bigger, more premium offerings?
The C9 is Omoda’s flagship SUV. Priced from a shade under R800k, the Omoda C9 range comprises a pair of derivatives in either front or all-wheel drive guise. The latter (the 2.0TGDI 400T Explore AWD) is specced with additional features, tops the range and is the subject of this review. The C9 is a confident foray into the premium space, where buyers are said to be more brand-conscious than price-sensitive.
Choosing rivals for the C9 is tricky. It’s a larger vehicle than similarly priced family cars and, if you want a vehicle of the C9’s size with similar levels of spec, you must be prepared to pay a substantial premium.
Compare Omoda C9’s specs with those of similarly-priced VW Tiguan and Kia Sportage variants
Compare Omoda C9’s specs with those of similarly-sized BMW X3 and Audi Q5 variants
You could also consider a Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, which has the same engine (but slightly reduced peak outputs) and a 3rd row of seats. It’s priced more than R100k lower than the C9, so seems a real bargain.
How the Omoda C9 fares in terms of…
Design & Practicality
In an era in which car design has become predictable and formulaic (spurred on by the motor industry’s pursuit of ever-stricter safety-, aerodynamic and -efficiency standards), bold, distinctive designs are few and far between. However, the Omoda C9 does make quite a style statement with its sharp angles and boldly creased sheetmetal. Dare we ask: “Has the Brutalist architectural style crossed over to cars?”
The Omoda C9 is sizeable: 4 775 mm long and 1 920 mm wide, with a 2 800 mm wheelbase. This is not a comparative review, but it is worth noting that the Tiguan and Sportage have wheelbases of 2 676 mm and 2 680 mm. So the C9 is not a medium SUV per se; based on dimensions, it can be categorised as an Executive SUV, such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Kia Sorento, Lexus NX and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Why do we emphasise a technical detail (the length of the Chinese offering’s wheelbase) in particular? It’s because the wheelbase (the measurement between a vehicle’s axles) usually reflects the amount of interior (cabin space) it offers. The longer the wheelbase, the larger and more capacious the rear cabin.
In the 2025 Omoda C9 2.0TGDI 400T Explore AWD, rear passengers benefit from generous amounts of leg- and headroom. For additional comfort and convenience, there’s privacy glass, adjustable and heated rear seats and well-sized door pockets, along with the obligatory USB charging ports.
The driver and front passenger are not short-changed, however. The driver has a commanding view of the road (courtesy of a perched seating position) and, based on our initial impressions, the C9’s interior, with grand switchgear and a wide (infotainment and instrument cluster) screen, befits an executive SUV.
The list of standard features is exhaustive. We’re assessing the range-topping AWD here, but even the front-wheel-drive 400T Inspire is generously equipped. At this rather lofty price point, consumers will expect the Omoda C9 to come festooned with high-end features… but they won’t be disappointed.
A panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable- heated and ventilated seats, leather trim, dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, powered tailgate, multi-colour LED ambient lighting, an 8-speaker Sony audio system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a potent wireless charging pad are all standard. That’s “a lot of toys”, so what do you get extra if you fork out R100k more for the top-spec 400T Explore AWD?
Along with all-wheel drive (and specific off-road drive modes), the flagship gains adaptive suspension, adaptive front lighting, a 12-speaker Sony audio (with speakers in the headrests), opulent Nappa leather trim and a built-in fragrance dispenser – yes, you read that correctly, as you’d find in a BMW 7 Series.
The user experience of the “widescreen” (a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster flanked by a 12.3-inch infotainment screen) is intuitive and the menu system is reasonably coherent, but the setup feels a bit stale: the graphics quality is not quite as good as in other Chery Group products, such as the Jaecoo J7.
But, like in the Jaecoo J7, of which we did an extended review, some “nannies”, such as the distracted driver monitoring system and the lane-departure warning, which will tug at the ‘wheel if you dare change lanes without indicating, can be overbearing. Thankfully, you can reduce the intensity of those functions.
Unsurprisingly, safety tech abounds in the apex Omoda. The C9 is equipped with all the contemporary “must-haves”, including auto emergency braking, but that’s just the start. It has clever, genuinely useful features, such as warning you when you’re about to open a door into the path of approaching vehicles.
All perfect plain sailing then? Almost. The C9’s build quality/fit-and-finish is a mixed bag. At first glance, the quality is right up there with the segment leaders. The leather stitching, for example, is exceptional.
Upon closer inspection, however, some elements, such as the illuminated door panels, feel distinctly un-premium and of a similar standard you’d find in Omoda’s C5 small crossover. But, it isn’t a deal-breaker.
Performance & Efficiency
The 2025 Omoda C9 is powered by the Chery Group’s 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine, with 192 kW and 400 Nm distributed to all wheels in this case (remember, the 400T Inspire is front-wheel-driven).
Based on those peak outputs, the Omoda C9 should deliver willing performance… The Chinese brand does not state a 0-100 kph time for the model, but according to our test equipment, the 2.0TGDI 400T Explore AWD (with its sportiest drive mode activated) charged from a standstill to 100 kph in 8.52 sec.
Now while that’s not the quickest in its segment, we must point out that the C9 doesn’t feel like it lacks urge and, not to forget, the Omoda, with a claimed kerb weight of just over 1 800 kg, is no lightweight. That said, a 0-100 kph time is arguably less important than in-gear acceleration and the C9’s overtaking ability, particularly when merging with highway traffic from an onramp, proved more than sufficient.
The secret to its in-gear punch seems to be the 8-speed automatic transmission, which complements the turbopetrol engine’s performance characteristics. What’s more, it’s a conventional torque converter-type ‘box that delivers smoother pullaways and ‘shifts than a dual-clutch unit. There is no jerkiness and/or hesitation when pulling away and every gear shift feels like it gently blends into the next one.
We’d also like to mention that although many Chinese brands’ new products seem to exhibit uneven responses to accelerator-pedal inputs, this C9 felt more accurate and measured in its power delivery.
Based on its 65-litre fuel tank capacity and claimed consumption of 8.5 L/100 km, the Omoda C9 has a full-to-empty range of 765 km, but only in theory. While immense progress has been made in terms of fit-and-finish, plus build- and ride quality, this Chery Group product’s fuel economy is still mediocre.
Despite our best efforts (we adopted a conservative driving style whenever we could), after travelling more than 850 km in the Omoda, 11.6 L/100 km was the best indicated return that we could achieve.
That being said, it’s not entirely the powertrain’s fault. The C9 employs permanent all-wheel drive (which can inhibit fuel efficiency – just ask Subaru owners) and the model is a few hundred kilograms heavier than its more efficient rivals, most of which utilise all-wheel drive on a part-time basis. Note that Omoda will introduce a plug-in hybrid C9 derivative in 2025, which is said can travel over 1 000 km on 1 tank.
Ride & Handling
What is the 2025 Omoda C9 like to drive? Given its considerable size and on-road presence, the C9 feels like a refined and premium offering. The ride quality is on the firm side, presumably to facilitate a sportier on-road feel, but that applies to most large SUVs – even when they’re not badged as sporty derivatives.
That said, we appreciate that the Omoda’s suspension can soak up most road imperfections. It’s quite a feat, considering the C9 has large (20-inch) alloy wheels. Fortunately, the flagship’s handsome rims are wrapped with reasonably plump 245/50 tyres and Omoda didn’t skimp on the rubber – they’re Michelins!
Furthermore, the C9’s open-road refinement is great – you’ll be impressed by the lack of road noise.
Given the C9’s sophisticated underpinnings, minimal body roll and well-balanced ride quality, one would hope it would have an engaging steering setup, but the multifunction ‘wheel feels just a bit too light to wield for a vehicle of this stature, even after you select a sportier drive mode, which adds artificial heft. You miss that big-car “meatiness”, even if executing tight parking manoeuvres requires little effort.
And, on the open road, you have to make constant micro-adjustments to keep the C9 tracking straight –or just do what we did: use the car’s adaptive cruise control with steering assist, which is less tiring.
With an all-wheel drivetrain and a selection of off-road modes to play with, we would be remiss if we didn’t drive the C9 on a gravel road – at a brisk pace – to see how well it holds up. The Omoda’s all-paw setup is sound; when there was a loss of traction (minimal), the stability control gently reined things in.
Granted, the author was rather enthusiastic (he required more from the C9 on gravel than most owners would), but it was reassuring to feel the all-wheel drive (AWD) system work its magic. AWD is best suited for the snowy and icy months in Europe, but in the domestic context, it’s a nice-to-have safety feature.
It’s also worth mentioning the gearshift paddles located behind the steering wheel: not only do they add a premium touch – they feel substantial to operate. They sort of symbolise an “ultimate level of control”.
Price and After-Sales Support
The 2025 Omoda C9 2.0TGDI 400T Explore AWD costs R885 900 (February 2025), which includes a 7-year/200 000 km warranty, a 10-year/1 000 000 km engine warranty (for the vehicle’s 1st owner), as well as a 7-year/100 000 km service plan. The Chery Group has truly sweetened the deal on this newcomer: its warranty and service plan are significantly longer and more comprehensive than those of its rivals.
Verdict
The Chery Group’s efforts to elevate Omoda into a premium brand are subtle – and effective. Whereas the C5 seems fancy, its C9 sibling is plush: From the ‘Benz-like seat adjustment controls on the doors, to the Range Rover-style door handles that retract into the bodywork once locked – we get the impression that Omoda has implemented its learnings from premium players into this value-packed family SUV.
You can’t forget the outrageous equipment and features list either. A fragrance dispenser and speakers in the headrests? Those are high-ticket items commonly found in models such as the BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class and yet, they’re standard on this “family SUV” that costs under R1 million.
We’ve reviewed numerous Chinese brands’ models, but the Omoda C9 illustrates the ability that one of several fledgling brands has to move upmarket quickly and decisively. Most of our criticisms of Chery Group products’ powertrains have been addressed and the C9 is oh-so-close to being excellent. Given the C9’s talents, it may not take long for Chinese brands to dominate the Executive SUV market too.
Further Reading:
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