Road Test: Omoda C9 2.0TGDI 400T AWD Explore AT

The C9 arrives as the second product to hit the local market from Chery’s Omoda subsidiary and is arguably the strongest offering so far from the Chinese automaker…

Image: Peet Mocke

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Brand perception is everything in South Africa. Those doing business here have constructed factories that produce vehicles both for our market and export, and in turn, the reputations have been built over many years. One of the concerns consumers have with the influx of Chinese brands to the local market is just what kind of service they will get and if the products will outlast the five years of a regular hire purchase plan. Less than a year after its return to South Africa, Chery took a gamble by introducing its subsidiary brand Omoda. But the newcomer has not struggled to appeal to this new, and often picky, audience.

Its first product, the C5, has sold more than 4 000 units in just 18 months. Having just celebrated sales of 500 C5 units in September 2024, the company is hoping to breach 700 monthly sales with the help of its halo model, the C9. Finished in one of four hues (Moonlight White, Cosmic Black, Meteorite Grey or the matte Quantum Grey of our test unit), the C9 looks modern and imposing. Keen readers will recognise the diamond-motif grille that does service on the C5, as well as the overall shape of the taillamps, but this is where the similarities end. The C9’s execution is altogether sleeker, and comparisons could easily be drawn with the likes of the Lexus RX or Range Rover Velar, based on size and styling alone. There are only two models in the line-up: the FWD Inspire and the AWD Explore, both of which feature the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbopetrol engine developing 192 kW and 400 N.m.

Image: Peet Mocke

They also share the unique Omoda puddle lamps that provide light for front and rear occupants upon ingress and egress; dual stop lights integrated in the rear wing; non-functional quad tailpipes finished in gloss black plastic and ‘400T’ badging that denotes the engine’s torque output. The only difference between the two are that the Inspire’s brake calipers are painted blue, and the Explore’s items are finished in red. Standard across the range are dual 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment and instrumentation, a Sony sound system (eight speakers for the Inspire and 12 for the Explore), eight airbags, electric adjustment for the steering column and front seats, and a panoramic glass roof.

Image: Peet Mocke

The front and outer rear pews feature three heat settings, while the fore items can be cooled as well, and the centre console box can also be heated or refrigerated. On the safety front, both models feature the company’s suite of active driver’s aids, which includes lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind-spot detection warning, driver distraction monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Inside, there’s some spec variation between the two models. The Explore AWD separates itself from the Inspire by way of Nappa leather upholstery, an additional speaker in the driver’s headrest, and three additional drive-mode settings (Snow, Mud and Off-road to go with the basic Eco, Normal and Sport modes). On the road, the C9 acquits itself well. We are familiar with the 2.0-litre turbopetrol motor shared across the Chery Group, but in the C9, it makes 5 kW and 10 N.m more than the Tiggo 8 Pro Max we tested in the December 2023 issue.

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Despite not featuring a third row of seats like the range-topping Tiggo 8, the C9 is still 208 kg heavier than the Tiggo, which can be attributed to the all-wheel-drive mechanicals. More importantly, it doesn’t feel 200 kg heavier than the Tiggo, with just a hint of body roll via the adaptively damped MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension setup. However, the ride is pliant. Interestingly, this is the first time we have encountered Michelin rubber on a Chinese car; although the e-Primacy is not especially grippy, it does an excellent job of holding the C9’s 1 875 kg mass on the road and allows very little road noise to permeate the cabin. One small annoyance that our testers picked up is that the electric power steering is overly assisted, which is great when you’re parking but not ideal above 80 km/h.

You can add artificial weight to it via the drive-settings menu through the infotainment system, but past 90 degrees in either side of centre, the system lacks any real substance. Noticeably improved from other Chery products is the more intuitive calibration of the throttle pedal, which responds in a more progressive manner than the jerky bursts we have experienced in some Tiggo models. The 8-speed automatic shifts quickly and is geared for strong acceleration, resulting in a 0–100 km/h sprint of 8.63 seconds and an 80–120 km/h overtaking acceleration time of 5.61 seconds. Another area of vast improvement is that of fuel consumption. During its week-long stint at CAR, the all-wheel-drive C9 managed to average just 10.48 L/100 km. Although this is by no means ground-breaking next to the rivals, it’s better than what we expected. The C9’s occupants, specifically those seated in the rear, have enough head- and kneeroom to rival just about any car in the segment. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of luggage room. The full-size spare under the boot board means the recess is quite shallow, but folding the rear bench frees up a handy 1 068 litres of load space.

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The compact SUV segment has never been so competitive, and the C9 is a compelling contender. Chery, through constant feedback from its customers and the media, has addressed the throttle and brake-pedal calibration issues to present a more neutral driving experience. Of course, the C9’s 200 000 km warranty and 100 000 km service plan, both spanning seven years, cannot be ignored as these are significantly higher than anything else in the same segment. Arguably the most complete Chery product to come through the CAR garage doors, the C9 is just the latest in a line of Chinese vehicles that bring continuous improvement in all areas, from fuel efficiency to features and ride quality, to our market.

Find the full feature in the December issue of CAR Magazine.

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