2023 Chery Omoda 5 price and specs: New small SUV from $29,900 plus on-road costs

UPDATE, June 2023: Prices for the 2023 Chery Omoda 5 have risen compared to those introduced in March. Click here for more details.

The prices in the body of this story are unchanged – but the price list has been updated accordingly.

2 March 2023: The 2023 Chery Omoda 5 – the first model from the returned Chinese car-maker after an eight-year absence – will be priced from about $32,000 drive-away when first deliveries commence in late March.

The relaunched Chery brand's first new vehicle for Australia is a small SUV similar in size to a Mazda CX-30 – and launches with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and front-wheel drive, ahead of more powerful versions later on.

Chery Australia initially announced the base-model Omoda 5 would start from less than $40,000 drive-away – but did not say how much cheaper than $40,000 it would be.

It has now confirmed the entry-level Omoda 5 BX will be priced from $29,900 plus on-road costs – or $31,990 to $32,690 drive-away depending on state and territory.

This price puts the Chery head-on with top-of-the-range rivals from China, the MG ZST and GWM Haval Jolion – and wears a sticker similar to, or less than base-model versions of established Japanese and South Korean rivals, including the CX-30, Subaru XV (Crosstrek) and Toyota Corolla Cross.

A better-equipped Omoda 5 EX model costs $32,900 plus on-road costs, or $35,190 to $35,890 drive-away – $1100 to $1900 dearer than its flagship Chinese competitors, but fitted with some features its rivals don't offer.

As reported by Drive in recent days, pre-orders for the Chery Omoda 5 have now opened, ahead of first customer deliveries and showroom arrivals scheduled for late March 2023.

Buyers who place a $500 refundable deposit down before 23 March 2023 will receive complimentary premium paint for their vehicle (valued at $500), and either the first scheduled service (about $250 to $300), or floor mats for free.

Chery Australia told media last month it planned to offer national drive-away pricing – however this will no longer be the case, and drive-away prices vary by up to $700 between states and territories.

Vehicles will be sold through a network of approximately 40 dealerships around Australia – initially focused in capital cities – ahead of a broader expansion later on.

Chery cars in Australia will be supported by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty – matching MG and GWM Haval – with seven years of roadside assistance. Customers will be able to opt for Chery vehicle finance through its dealerships.

Service intervals are 12 months or 10,000km for the 1.5-litre turbo models, with each service for the first five years estimated to cost between $250 and $300.

The two Chery Omoda 5 variants available at launch share a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine developing 108kW and 210Nm, matched to a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive.

Claimed fuel consumption is rated at 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres, with 91-octane regular unleaded fuel supported. Chery claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 9.9 seconds.

Standard features in the base Omoda 5 – referred to as the BX – includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, dual 10.25-inch interior displays, leather-look seat trim, a rear-view camera, sensor-key entry, front and rear parking sensors, and a power-adjustable driver's seat.

All models are fitted with a full suite of advanced safety technology, which includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and traffic sign recognition, plus seven airbags.

The Omoda 5 has earned a five-star safety rating from independent safety body Euro NCAP overseas – but an equivalent for Australia and New Zealand is yet to be announced by ANCAP (which has similar test protocols to Euro NCAP).

It is a significant change from Chery's first entry into Australia, which was marred by poor safety ratings – contributing to its exit from the market in 2015, alongside an asbestos recall.

Opting for the dearer Omoda 5 EX adds a power tailgate, sunroof, heated steering wheel and front seats, power-adjustable passenger seat, 360-degree camera, puddle light projection, red brake calipers, and other extras.

The Omoda 5 EX is $1100 to $1900 dearer than a top-of-the-range GWM Haval Jolion Ultra or MG ZST Essence (both $33,990 drive-away nationally).

However, the Jolion (the better equipped of the two) is not available with a power-adjustable passenger seat, power tailgate, heated steering wheel, front parking sensors, reach adjustment for the steering wheel, eight-speaker stereo (six speakers in the GWM), or a widescreen digital instrument display (7.0-inch, vs the Chery's 10.25-inch).

But compared to the Chery, the Jolion Ultra is equipped with a panoramic sunroof (rather than the single-pane sunroof in the Chery), a head-up display, anti-glare rear-view mirror, and a larger touchscreen (12.3-inch vs 10.25-inch).

A full list of standard features is below, along with a price list, and the exterior colours available. Most colours are deemed premium finishes, and cost $500 extra.

The 2023 Chery Omoda 5 is now available to pre-order, ahead of first local deliveries due in late March, pending any further delays.