Chery Omoda E5 review – best-value EV in Malaysia?

Introduction and Cherry Omoda E5 Overview

The introduction of the Cherry Omoda E5, an all-electric SUV, in Malaysia at a competitive price compared to its main rival, the BYD Auto 3.

Cherry Brand and Market Success

• Cherry had a successful year in 2023 with significant global sales, positioning itself as a top car exporter from China.

Expansion Plans and Model Lineup

• Cherry Malaysia plans to introduce the Omoda E5 EV followed by the Tigo 7 Pro to compete with the Proton X70. By the end of 2024, they aim to have six models in their lineup.

Omoda E5 Features and Pricing

• The Omoda E5 competes with the BYD Auto 3, offering similar size and battery capacity but at a lower price point. It features unique styling elements compared to its petrol version.

Styling and Design Features of Omoda E5

A detailed look at the exterior design elements of the Cherry Omoda E5 electric SUV.

Exterior Styling Comparison

• The Omoda E5 showcases a sharper, sportier design compared to its petrol counterpart, aiming for broader appeal. It features distinctive lighting setups and a futuristic appearance.

Unique Design Elements

• The front nose of the Omoda E5 opens to reveal charging ports, enhancing convenience for users. However, accessing these ports may require bending down due to their low placement.

Functional Aspects and Interior Features

Exploring functional aspects like wheels, interior space, trunk space, and advanced features within the Cherry Omoda E5.

Wheel Design and Platform Comparison

• The Omoda E5 utilizes aerodynamic alloy wheels with plastic arrow covers for improved efficiency. Unlike dedicated EV platforms like BYD's Auto 3, it shares its base platform with its petrol variant.

Interior Comfort and Technology

• The interior of the Omoda E5 offers advanced features such as keyless entry unlocking doors automatically upon approach. Its design draws inspiration from higher-end models like Mercedes-Benz.

Detailed Interior Analysis

The expert provides an in-depth analysis of the interior features and quality of the Cherry Omoda E5, comparing it to the BYD Auto 3.

Interior Quality Comparison

• Soft padding and premium materials enhance the interior, giving a more upscale feel.

• Nicely textured plastics and blue-white color scheme resemble the BYD Auto 3 but with improvements like darker seat bases.

Advanced Features

• Ventilated front seats, larger instrument cluster, branded speakers, and driver monitoring cameras offer advantages over the BYD Auto 3.

• Issues like fake-looking wood trim and manual sunroof operation are noted as drawbacks.

User-Friendly Technology

The expert delves into the technology features of the Cherry Omoda E5, highlighting usability and unique aspects.

Infotainment System

• Well-designed controls on a large screen with full Wireless Apple CarPlay functionality.

• Easy-to-use interface with minor inconveniences like accessing aircon controls through an extra step.

Unique Features

• Vanity mirrors with customizable lighting options add a touch of luxury.

• Screen lacks perfect English translations but offers practicality and functionality overall.

Driving Experience Comparison

A comparison is drawn between driving experiences of the Cherry Omoda E5 and its competitor, the BYD Auto 3.

Performance Evaluation

• The Cherry Omoda E5 boasts quicker acceleration than the BYD Auto 3 despite similar power figures.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the range and efficiency of a specific car model based on their personal experience.

Range and Efficiency

• The car driven for 300 km achieved an average of 14 to 14.5 KW hours per 100 km, resulting in a maximum range slightly over the WLTP claim range.

• Despite normal driving without hypermiling techniques, the car managed to exceed 430 km on a single charge, slightly outperforming another model's WLTP range.

• The car features an 11 KW AC charger, significantly quicker than a competitor's charger, making a substantial difference in charging times.

New Section

This section delves into transparency regarding claimed ranges by different manufacturers and compares two models' range indicators.

Transparency and Range Indicators

• Cherry uses more realistic WLTP test cycle figures for claimed ranges compared to BYD's use of NEDC figures.

• The Cherry model claims a real-world achievable range of 430 km, while BYD claims up to 480-490 km which is unrealistic for Malaysian roads.

• The accuracy of the Cherry's range indicator is praised for providing realistic estimates based on driving style compared to BYD's overly optimistic readings.

Detailed Review of Cherry Omoda E5

In this section, the reviewer provides a detailed review of the Cherry Omoda E5 electric vehicle, highlighting various aspects such as braking performance, refinement, wind noise, and advanced driver assistance systems.

Braking Performance

• The lowest brake setting is too abrupt even at milder settings, making it challenging to get used to within a short period.

Refinement and Tire Noise

• The car exhibits excellent refinement in terms of tire noise compared to other models like AO 3.

• The better tires fitted contribute to a quieter driving experience even on rough roads.

Wind Noise and Double Glazing

• Despite having double glazing for the front windows to reduce wind noise, significant wind noise enters the cabin at speeds above 110.

• While road noise is improved compared to BYD, wind noise remains a drawback.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Evaluation

This section focuses on evaluating the ADAS features of the Cherry Omoda E5 electric vehicle.

ADAS Performance

• The car features level two semi-autonomous driving capabilities including EB ACC and active lane keep assist.

• Initial testing suggests that the system may not be as secure or smooth as desired, especially compared to other models like BYD AO 3.

Display System

• The display system impressively reads road lines and distinguishes between different types of vehicles and objects ahead.

• However, despite the impressive display capabilities, there are concerns about the overall system performance.

Overall Assessment of Cherry Omoda E5

This segment offers an overall assessment of the Cherry Omoda E5 electric vehicle in comparison with other models.

Comparison with BYD Auto 3

• The Cherry Omoda E5 emerges as a worthy rival to BYD Auto 3 with better aesthetics and interior quality.

• It offers stable and secure driving experience along with impressive range performance without compromising on charging speed.

Drawbacks and Value Proposition

• Despite some drawbacks such as stiffer suspension affecting comfort at low speeds, the overall package is considered fantastic value for money.

• Being more affordable than competitors while maintaining quality makes it one of the best value EV options in the market.