Omoda 7

FIRST DRIVE Chinese influx shows no signs of slowing, as Chery-owned Omoda launches its third model in the UK

- Alastair Crooks

OMODA is yet another Chinese brand that’s recently arrived in the UK. Its first offering was the Nissan Qashqai-rivalling Omoda 5, and now we've got behind the wheel of the larger Omoda 7.

Alongside Jaecoo, Chery and the recently announced Lepas (Page 12), Omoda is one of four sub-brands within the Chery Auto group. However, it’s difficult to see how Omoda will stand out.

The Omoda 7 is a sister car to the Jaecoo 7 and while a pure-petrol version is coming, the Omoda is launching with the ‘Super Hybrid System’ already used by the Jaecoo 7 and Chery Tiggo 7.

Omoda is adamant that its SUV targets a different customer, though, and that starts with its car’s more futuristic looks, such as the zigzag rear lights and striking hexagonal-patterned grille.

When it arrives later this year, the petrol model will be the cheapest Omoda 7, at £29,915 in Knight trim. The plugin hybrid starts at £32,000 in the same spec, but you can also get it in Noble trim from £35,000 - and this is the version we're testing. In this form, it’s £165 cheaper than the Jaecoo 7 PHEV, but it doesn’t seem any less premium.

There are a few oddities and points of contention inside the Omoda 7, however. Senior Interior Designer Michael Duerr told us Omoda didn’t want its car to be “like a Las Vegas show” inside, but while there is ambient lighting, the cabin looks very sterile. Plus you can only have it in black.