Anything but middling

The C7 looks to plug the the midsize SUV-shaped gap in Omoda's local lineup - could it be the perfect fit?

- Cale Nuttall

Since the Chery Group's reentry into the South African market in late 2021, the Wuhu-based automaker has launched several sub-brands, including Omoda, which initially launched with the C5 compact SUV in April 2023.

Since then, the entry-level C5 has recently been revised and the firm also introduced the flagship C9, which arrived in October 2024.

The latest model in Omoda's local SUV lineup, the C7 rivals the like of the Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan and Mazda CX-5 in the highly competitive midsize-SUV segment of the market. At launch, the C7 is available in three derivatives: Luxury, Elegance and SHS PHEV. The former two variants are powered by a 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine producing 145 kW and 290 N.m of torque and mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The flagship plugin hybrid SHS variant (or Super Hybrid System in Chery's terminology) pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a single electric motor powered by an 18.4 kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery. This setup produces a combined 255 kW and 525 N.m, which is sent to the front wheels via a dedicated hybrid transmission.