Chery OMODA E5 2024 Review

As the choices in the B-segment pure electric sedan market in Malaysia continue to grow, consumers are paying more attention to "balance"—looking for adequate range, practical configurations, and a blend of driving quality and value for money. The Chery OMODA E5, newly introduced for 2024, directly targets this demand, featuring core hardware like a 61kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and a 203PS motor, while fully loading configurations such as a 24.6-inch curved screen and SONY speakers. In this test drive, we focus on verifying its range achievement rate, dynamic performance against official data, and the practicality of these high-end configurations.

In terms of appearance, the OMODA E5 follows the brand’s "Art in Motion" design language, with a streamlined and sporty overall profile. The front fascia features a closed-off grille paired with through-type LED daytime running lights. The sharp design of the LED headlight clusters on both sides, along with decorative faux air intake elements below, gives it high recognizability. The side profile shows a waistline extending from the front to the rear, complemented by 18-inch multi-spoke wheels, which prevents it from looking bulky. The rear end echoes the front with a through-type LED taillight, which has a clear lighting effect when illuminated, while the slightly raised ducktail on the trunk lid adds a touch of sportiness. The lighting system is fully LED, including front and rear fog lights, with brightness sufficient for daily use.

Stepping inside, the first noticeable feature is the 24.6-inch curved dual-screen, combining the instrument cluster and central control screen for seamless operation. The cabin materials mainly consist of soft-touch plastics, with piano black trim on the center console and door panels. Though not extraordinarily luxurious, the textures are quite decent within this price range. The steering wheel is multifunctional, with controls for driver assistance on the left and media adjustments on the right, laid out with clear logic. The seats are made of faux leather, with six-way electronic adjustments for the driver’s seat and four-way electronic adjustments for the passenger seat. They offer good support and wrapping, making long drives not too tiring. For rear passenger space, the 2630mm wheelbase places it at mainstream level among B-segment sedans. A 175cm passenger in the rear would still have about two fists' worth of legroom and one fist of headroom, avoiding any sense of claustrophobia. The rear also has independent air conditioning vents, and the nearly flat floor provides more comfort for the middle passenger’s feet. The trunk offers a storage volume of 483L, which is sufficient for two suitcases during daily use, and the rear seats can be folded 60:40, accommodating occasional large items as well.

In terms of power, the OMODA E5 is equipped with a front-mounted single electric motor outputting a maximum of 203PS and 340N·m of torque, achieving an official 0–100km/h acceleration of 7.2 seconds. On the road, it starts very briskly, delivering a clear push-back sensation when the accelerator is pressed. It is nimble when overtaking or changing lanes in urban areas. There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. The Eco mode provides a smoother power delivery suitable for daily commuting, while Sport mode is more aggressive and responsive, ideal for those who want a thrilling acceleration experience. The energy recuperation system has three adjustable levels. The highest level has a noticeable drag, but it’s almost possible to operate with a single pedal once accustomed, while the lowest setting feels similar to the coasting sensation of a fuel-powered car.

The suspension system features a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent setup, tuned towards comfort. It absorbs most vibrations when driving over speed bumps or bumpy roads, avoiding harsh impacts. On highways, the vehicle shows good stability, with minimal steering play and precise handling. However, during sharp cornering, due to the slightly higher center of gravity compared to fuel-powered cars, there is some noticeable body roll, though it remains within acceptable limits. In terms of noise control, the electric motor is almost silent at low speeds in urban areas, while tire noise and wind noise become more noticeable at high speeds but not overly loud. The SONY 8-speaker sound system has decent audio quality, and playing some music can easily mask the noise.

Range and charging are core indicators for electric vehicles. The official range is 430km. During our test drive, which included urban areas, highways, and suburban mixed roads, we covered approximately 200km, with an average energy consumption of 14.5kWh/100km. Based on these figures, the actual range is around 380km, achieving about 90% of its rated range, which is quite solid. Fast charging takes 0.5 hours (officially claimed to be 30%-80%), and in our test, it took approximately 35 minutes to charge from 30% to 80% using a fast charging station, closely matching the official data. For slow charging, a home charging station can fully charge it in about 8 hours.

In terms of safety features, the OMODA E5 is well-equipped. It has 6 airbags (dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, front and rear head curtain airbags), as well as active safety features like ABS, ESP, lane change assist, lane departure warning, and active braking. The ACC adaptive cruise control is very convenient for highway driving, and the 360-degree panoramic camera offers high clarity, making parking and reversing easier.

In summary, the advantages of the OMODA E5 are very clear: high configuration (dual-connected screens, SONY audio system, full LED lighting), decent range performance, sufficient power, comfortable chassis, and a price of RM146,800, which offers great value for money among B-segment electric sedans. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the BYD Atto 3 (entry-level model RM149,800), it offers better features at a slightly lower price. However, its brand recognition in Malaysia is not as strong as some of the more established brands, which might be a minor drawback.

This car is suitable for a wide range of people: those with a budget of around RM150,000 looking for a fully equipped electric car with sufficient range. It can meet the needs of daily commuting or weekend family outings. If you're a family user focused on cost-effectiveness and practical features, or a young graduate looking to buy your first electric car, the OMODA E5 is worth considering.

All in all, the Chery OMODA E5 is a balanced B-segment electric sedan with no obvious weaknesses. Its configuration and price are its core competitive strengths, making it a strong contender in its segment.