OMODA 9 SHS review

Driving position 

Climb into the OMODA 9, and you’ll immediately feel like you’ve been upgraded to business class. You sit high up, giving you a commanding view over the bonnet that makes navigating tight supermarket car parks a doddle. 

The seats are very comfortable and finished in a soft eco-leather with more adjustment settings than a fancy coffee machine. Those above six feet may find the headroom isn’t as good, but if you’re short, or somewhere in between, finding your perfect position is easy. 

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Tech and features 

OMODA 9 trims  

– Noble 

The first thing you see when you open the door is the curved 12.3-inch display that sits atop the dash. This has wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and is mated to an impressive 14-speaker SONY sound system. 

Ahead of the driver is another screen that shows all your relevant driving info and is also 12.3 inches, so it never feels too cluttered. 

The luxury tech extends to everyone on board, though – not just the driver.  

Front seats and the two rear outer seats are heated and ventilated, and those in the rear even get electric reclining functions, which is proper limo territory.  

Toss in a 1.3-metre panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with light, and you’ve got a car that feels far more expensive than its price tag suggests. We’d certainly say it feels more premium than a similarly priced Kia Sportage. 

Engines and power 

OMODA 9 SHS performance stats  

– Power: 449hp 

– 0-62mph: 4.9 seconds 

– Top speed: 124mph 

– Driven wheels: All-wheel drive (AWD) 

Power comes from a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor for a total power output of 449hp, which is absolutely bonkers for a family SUV. 

By comparison, a Lotus Emira sports car has 400hp and the rivalling Volkswagen Tiguan has just 130hp in its most basic form.  

This is a reflection on how much value Chinese brands such as OMODA are offering. There’s only one version, so you’re getting the full 449hp no matter what. 

To help put the power down is a relatively unique three-speed, multi-clutch gearbox, which OMODA calls a ‘Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). This means that the engine can drive the wheels, but the car favours using the electric motors instead. 

We drove our OMODA 9 test car on a variety of roads and found it to perform well on all of them. 

On the motorway, it feels steady and composed at 70mph, and is where we’d say the ‘9’ is at its best. There’s minimal wind noise, and you certainly never feel like you’re lacking power. 

Handling and ride comfort 

Turn onto a country B-road, and things are very much the same. The car doesn’t feel unsettled at any point, and its supple suspension soaks up potholes and any lumps and bumps in the road. 

This applies to when you’re pootling around town, especially since the electric motors will likely take over at these lower speeds anyway. 

The car’s regenerative braking is another strong point, with three adjustable strengths, but we do wish they were visible on a switch and not hidden through various menus on the screen. 

Boot space 

OMODA 9 boot space:  

– Boot space: 660 litres 

– Incl. rear seats folded: 1,783 litres 

OMODA 9 boot space is really impressive. There’s a total space of 660 litres, growing to 1,783 litres when the rear seats are folded flat. 

When compared to rivals such as the Kia Sportage PHEV (540 litres) and MG HS (507 litres), it stacks up very well. 

Our one criticism is that the boot floor is quite high, so dog owners may want to invest in a ramp or look at a lower car.  

Rear seats 

Those in the back are going to be very pleased because there’s loads of space, with plenty of kneeroom and lots of headroom. Plus, like in many new cars today, the rear seats can recline a little too. 

Being a wide car, there’s also the perk of space for bulky child seats, and nifty flip-up ISOFIX covers so you can always find them. 

Storage solutions 

Being a big car means that, as well as a large boot, there are also loads of nifty storage solutions dotted around the cabin. 

Underneath the armrest is a deep area to store anything you want, including larger water bottles. There are also two cup holders, which can be removed to make even more space for phones, wallets, keys, etc. 

The glovebox is big enough, and the door bins are large enough for water bottles. We have zero complaints in this department. 

OMODA 9 dimensions  

– Height: 1,670mm 

– Width: 1,920mm 

– Length: 4,775mm 

– Kerbweight: Up to 2,203kg 

Safety 

When it comes to safety, the OMODA 9 doesn't mess about. It has already secured the maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, passing the latest, toughest 2025 tests with flying colours.  

It’s built like a fortress, scoring particularly well for protecting both adults and children in a crash, but it’s the tech working behind the scenes that’s really impressing. 

You get a staggering 20 different driver assistance systems as standard. This includes everything from the usual suspects like autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist. 

There’s even a camera that watches the driver’s eyes to make sure you aren’t getting drowsy, but we found it pestering you even if you look at the infotainment screen for a split second. 

One of the neatest tricks for families is the child presence detection, which means if you accidentally leave a little one (or a very quiet dog) in the back, the car will give you a nudge to remind you.  

Combine all that with a 540-degree camera that effectively makes the car's floor transparent so you can spot stray toys, small animals or high kerbs, and it’s clear OMODA has put safety right at the top of the priority list. 

Fuel economy 

OMODA claims the ‘9’ will return up to 201.8mpg, but this figure is based on the car leaning heavily on its electric power, so in the real world we’d expect it to be closer to 45mpg – still an impressive figure for a car of this size. 

But it gets better. The OMODA 9 has a claimed all-electric range of 93 miles, which is double what most of its rivals offer. This is thanks to its 35.4kWh battery, which can charge up to 70kW, meaning a 30% to 80% charge takes just 25 minutes. 

Reliability 

Since OMODA is a newcomer to the UK, it doesn’t have decades of reliability data to lean on, but it’s arrived with a very loud statement of confidence.  

Every OMODA 9 comes with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty as standard, matching Kia’s industry-leading offer of many years. 

If you’re worried about the battery, that’s covered even longer – up to eight years, ensuring it stays healthy for the long haul. 

Underneath the skin, the OMODA 9 is built by Chery, one of China’s biggest car-making giants, who have been building millions of vehicles for global markets for years, so we have every faith in the longevity of the ‘9’.