2023 Chery Omoda 5 H Review

Amidst the increasingly fierce competition in Malaysia's B-Segment SUV market, consumers seek vehicles with standout aesthetics as well as practical configurations and space. The 2023 Chery Omoda 5 H is designed to meet this demand. As one of the brand's main models in the local market, it not only continues the youthful design of the Omoda series but also adds numerous intelligent safety features—can these highlights truly translate into practical advantages during actual usage? This time, through a static experience and dynamic test drive, we evaluate whether it meets the core needs of most family users.

From a distance, the overall design of the Omoda 5 H leans towards a sporty style. The front face features a large frameless grille combined with an internal matrix-style chrome trim, offering high recognizability. The body side lines flow smoothly, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, enhancing the three-dimensional feel. The 18-inch multi-spoke wheels paired with 215/55 R18 tires fill the wheel arch gap just right, providing balanced proportions visually. At the rear, the through-type LED taillights are a highlight, with evenly lit and striking light strips when illuminated. The twin exhaust outlet design underneath enhances the sporty feel, although they are decorative, with the actual exhaust hidden at the bottom. Regarding the lighting system, LED headlights and daytime running lights are standard features. The automatic headlight function reacts promptly when entering and exiting tunnels, making daily use convenient.

Once inside the car, the interior adopts the currently popular dual-connected screen design, with a 10.25-inch central control screen integrated with the fully digital instrument panel, enhancing the tech-savvy feel. The central control area layout is simple, with fewer physical buttons. Most functions are integrated into the touchscreen, though the air conditioning retains separate knobs and buttons, making blind operation more convenient. As for materials, the top of the dashboard is covered with soft-touch plastics, and the door armrests are wrapped in leather, providing a pleasant tactile experience in reachable areas. The configuration shines in many aspects: the front seats support electric adjustment, allowing both the driver and passenger to find a comfortable position; the SONY brand 8-speaker sound system delivers exceptional sound clarity and bass performance, exceeding the segment’s average standard; rear air conditioning vents, a 220V power outlet, and 60:40 split-folding rear seats cater to practical needs of family users. In terms of space, the 2630mm wheelbase is within the mainstream for the B-Segment. A 175cm tall passenger seated in the rear has legroom of about two fists and headroom of about one fist, avoiding a sense of claustrophobia. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 292L, and folding the rear seats expands the space, accommodating strollers or suitcases with ease. However, the absence of a spare tire is a slight disappointment.

In the dynamic test drive segment, the Omoda 5 H is equipped with a 1.5T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 115kW (156PS) and a maximum torque of 230N·m, paired with a 9-speed CVT gearbox. The power response during startup is relatively smooth, without sudden jerks, making it suitable for city traffic conditions. Upon heavier throttle input, the turbo kicks in to deliver smooth power output. In mid-range acceleration from 80-120km/h, overtaking feels relatively effortless, and the transmission’s simulated gear-shifting logic is close to that of an automatic transmission, avoiding the typical "rubber band" feeling of traditional CVTs. The driving modes include Eco, Standard, and Sport. In Sport mode, throttle sensitivity is increased, with the revs maintained above 2000rpm for a stronger power reserve. In terms of chassis, the combination of MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion-beam rear suspension is tuned for comfort. Over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension effectively filters out most minor jolts, though quick traversal of continuous bumps may result in slight residual vibrations in the rear. The steering feels light, with moderate precision, making it suitable for daily commuting, though the support may feel slightly inadequate during aggressive driving.

The strong point of the Omoda 5 H is its safety configuration. Features such as ACC adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and autonomous emergency braking are all standard. In actual testing, the lane departure warning system gives a timely alert when changing lanes without using the turn signal, and the autonomous emergency braking system quickly intervenes when there are obstacles ahead, effectively reducing collision risks. As for fuel consumption, we drove 150km on combined urban congestion and highway cruising conditions, with a displayed fuel consumption of 7.2L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 6.9L/100km. However, considering actual driving environments, this result falls within an acceptable range. Regarding noise control, the interior remains relatively quiet below 60km/h, with tire and wind noise being minimal; above 100km/h, wind noise is noticeable from the A-pillar area but does not affect normal conversations.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2023 Chery Omoda 5 H lies in its "balance": its design strikes a good balance between sportiness and fashion, and its features are richer compared to similarly priced models like the Honda HR-V or Toyota Corolla Cross, especially in terms of intelligent safety and comfort configurations, which are nearly maximized. The space is sufficient for daily family use, power delivery is smooth, and fuel consumption is reasonable. However, it does have minor drawbacks, such as insufficient shock absorption of the rear suspension over consecutive bumps and the lack of a spare tire in the trunk.

If you are a family-oriented user who values cost performance and features, or a young individual who recently started working and needs a vehicle that balances daily commuting with weekend outings, the Omoda 5 H could be a great choice—it has no significant shortcomings, and its overall performance meets the mainstream standards of its class. Priced at 118,800 Ringgit, it stands out in the market with competitiveness. Overall, this is a "practical yet stylish" B-Segment SUV suitable for most consumers seeking balance.