review with features, price and technical sheet

Solid.

If one word describes what it is the Omoda 7 is “solid”. Because it meets almost everything you expect from it. Because it complies in the vast majority of the sections. It does not dazzle but it does shine for its ability to maintain a very high level in most of its aspects.

Like everyone, it has its cracks. But these cracks do not run the risk of penetrating, extending and breaking the mold.

Omoda 7 technical sheet

Omoda 7 and the challenge of seating the customer

A few days ago we counted on Xataka that 22% of electric cars purchased in the EU arrive from China. From Chinese and European manufacturers but from China. In order to prevent this from happening or, at least, to try to stop the wave and keep it at the current 22%, the European Union imposed tariffs on these cars.

In that game of tug of war that is geopolitics, Europe left the door open to cars They do have combustion engines. Cigars and plug-in hybrids, claiming that the real Chinese state doping was limited to electric cars. Whether they are right or not, China took the door and kicked it down.

With special attention to countries where value for money is most valued, Chinese manufacturers have put a lot of effort into positioning themselves as the cheap alternative to European ones. So far this yearthere are five Chinese cars among the 10 best-selling plug-in hybrids in Spain. The first two are BYD cars. The rest are from the Chery group with two representatives from Omoda and one from Ebro.

One of them is the Omoda 7. And it is not coincidental. As in the case of BYD Seal U DM-iit is not a question of the car being cheaper than its rivals (with equal equipment), it is also the perception of quality that its interior exudes. For now, Chinese manufacturers continue to have the problem of breaking stereotypes and putting the potential customer in the driver’s seat. When they do, it is rare that they opt for a European or traditional firm.

It remains to be seen if it is a fad or if we are an exception in Europe. What is certain is that their sales throughout the continent are growing and that, from what I speak with those close to me, Chinese brands are attractive because the customer feels that vehicles from European companies have become more expensive at the same rate that the quality of the materials has taken the opposite path.

It is not a coincidence, it is an image and it is results

And, as I said, if the brand manages to seat the potential customer inside an Omoda 7 like this, it has a lot to gain. Because the perceived quality of the materials is very good.

On the steering wheel, different functions sit on the same piece but the touch is precise. In the central tunnel there are buttons for the basic climate controls, with a well-fitting and pleasant to the touch finish, especially the moving parts to raise and lower the temperature.

The rest of the dashboard is dominated, of course, by a huge screen which in this case is 15.6 inches. A screen that moves if we slide our five fingers on the screen from one side to the other. Thus, we can send it to the co-pilot’s position (and return it to the driver, of course) thanks to a mechanized chain that cannot be seen. An artifice as unexpected as it is surprising that is sure to delight children.

Is it practical? Well, relatively, if the co-pilot wants to change songs or look for an address, it will be easier with the screen in front, although it is not a drama to do it from the central position. Is it striking? Well, much more than practical and that’s where its charm lies.

Beyond the anecdote, the infotainment system remains as simple and practical as ever. The “home” screen has various widgets at the bottom that you can play with to manage the sound of the radio or music without diving into the menus. Additionally, it has a well-structured secondary menu but it requires some learning to remember that, for example, a negative point: regulating the position of the mirrors requires you to go through the screen.

What I have noticed a good improvement in is compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. In this Omoda 7 the system runs very smoothly when we choose to use either of these two systems and I have not noticed jerks as I have experienced with other Chinese cars.

Once in motion, the good feelings remain. The seat is well padded and is heated and ventilated. Options that in traditional brands, again, continue to add to the final bill. Like the Head-Up Display, which is also standard and works and is clearly read.

The Omoda 7 SHS is a plug-in hybrid that uses the now “classic” system that most Chinese cars come with. Although the Chery group has its own technology, the final concept is similar. The car acts most of the time as a series hybrid. That is, the combustion engine acts as a generator and it is the electric motors that drive the wheels. Specifically, it may be the engine that does it but it is very exceptional.

The system has two electric motors. One, with 204 HP, drives the wheels and the second electric motor, with 82 HP, only has the mission of generating electricity for the battery. The combustion engine, a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharger, has 143 HP and either supports the first of the electric motors or, almost always, serves to act as an electricity generator for the battery.

This last one is from 18.4 kWh, of LFP chemistry signed by CATL. It can be charged via alternating current at 6.6 kW or at a maximum of 40 kW via direct current, which guarantees going from 30 to 80% in 20 minutes, depending on the brand.

The final task is, as we say, for the car to move most of the time with the feel of an electric car. The car flows with the smoothness of an electric car and its reactions are somewhat more powerful than with a combustion engine. But, in addition, the sound and vibrations of the combustion engine are very well filtered so that most of the time you are not aware that it is operating.

Driving comfort is very high, especially in the city and its adjacent roads. Here we have reached 90 kilometers in purely electric mode without worrying about consumption, circulating at the pace of traffic in Madrid and its ring roads. On the open road it will be less but in that case it is worth forcing the hybrid mode.

And with the battery full we have also obtained good consumption data. In hybrid mode we have moved in less than 5 liters/100 km and it has taken almost 200 kilometers to completely empty the battery. When this has happened, consumption has increased but has always remained below 7 liters/100 km, so it is not a crazy figure.

This driving comfort in the city is somewhat diminished if you go out onto a national highway. The setup is soft although I have the feeling that the Chery group has been tightening their cars somewhat. On fast roads there are no longitudinal movements that generate dizziness during braking and acceleration due to this soft suspension, but I would appreciate a slightly more contained body off the highway.

What Omoda does have to improve on is the notices and alerts. The car sounds a lot and all the time with sounds that are too strident. Furthermore, by their own obligations of the European Union and how the menus are configured, you end up deactivating everything at once and forgetting about it since customization requires investing some time with each power on.

I liked the adaptive cruise control in general terms although it still suffers from excessively aggressive braking when a small unforeseen event arises even if it does not put us in danger. However, when everything flows, it works well, it takes the car through the lane safely and acceleration is smoother than braking. I recommend using it if traffic is not heavy.

Xataka’s conclusion

From China they seem to have found a formula that is beginning to be infallible in a country like Spain. There where the quality/price ratioeither It is a very important purchase value, they are managing to attract customers with good prices but, above all, convince them both when stationary and in motion.

The Omoda 7 is not a perfect car, I would ask for a tougher set-up and better performance of its driving assistance systems, but it is undeniable that its quality perception is superior to many rivals and that its equipment is very extensive from the start.

And that continues to weigh heavily when it comes to selling cars. As it could not be otherwise, everything is said.

Photos | Xataka

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