It’s only been a little over a year since the sales activities of the brands Omoda and Jaecoo started on the domestic market. Last year, the first-mentioned brand finished with 166 new model registrations, while Jaecoo is only one vehicle behind. During the first five months of this year, Omoda is in 22nd position with 312 registrations, while Jaecoo is two positions behind with 304 registrations. There are reportedly more than 300 more copies on the way that have already been sold. All this shows how much potential there is in these two brands, which I believe will continue to expand in the coming period. A new model, the Omoda 7, was released, placed between the two well-known models, the Omoda 5 and the Omoda 9.
We had the opportunity to test the new model on the way to Rijeka, where the premiere was held, and on the way back to Zagreb, that is, Samobor. I would just like to mention at the beginning that the aforementioned sales figures were achievable considering that they had organized the sales and service network before the start of operations. Today, it has 9 centers across Croatia, and more will be added. Omoda 7 is an SUV model 466 centimeters long, 187.5 cm wide and 167 cm high with a wheelbase of 272 cm. The seats are better than those that were in the Omoda 7 model during the test, and the seating position is also better, it is not set as high. There is also a luggage space with a very solid volume of 537 liters with compartments under the floor, where cables and mandatory equipment can be placed.
In appearance, Omod 7 brings solutions already seen on several cars, but it all seems quite harmonious and it is obvious that it is aimed at customers who like premium models, that is, they want a premium impression at a more favorable price. When driving, the car works very well, although I have to admit that I primarily drove it on the highway, more or less according to the legal framework. As with the larger Omod 9 model, I think that the display of the trip computer should be changed, which shows the consumption for the last 50 kilometers, so you can’t possibly know how much your consumption was from Zagreb to, say, Rijeka.
Otherwise, the well-known SHS-P or Super Hybrid System is responsible for the drive, which combines a 1.5TGDI turbo gasoline engine of 105 kW/143 HP with a powerful electric motor of 150 kW/204 HP. Thus we arrive at a combined power of 205 kW/279 hp and a torque of 365 Nm. The drive is via a 1-speed gearbox on the front axle.
A car equipped in this way has a declared electric range of 90 kilometers, or a total of 1,250 kilometers when the effect of the gasoline engine connected to the 60-liter fuel tank is added. When we talk about charging the 18.4 kWh high-voltage battery, it would not be worse if the AC charging was faster than the current 6.6 kW, just as a slightly more powerful DC charging at 40 kW would not hurt either.
By the way, official information says that the battery pack has passed more than 100 extreme tests, including nail penetration, crushing, exposure to fire and immersion in water. The battery is further protected by a high-strength bottom plate to withstand impacts from road debris, ensuring stable and safe operation in all conditions.
Moving on to safety, it should be noted that the Omoda 7 is equipped with 19 ADAS systems that predict, warn and intervene in numerous traffic situations. All situations that occur around the vehicle are additionally monitored by technology with a 540° panoramic view that uses 4 HD cameras. They eliminate blind spots when maneuvering in tight spaces or on difficult terrain.
Thanks to this, Omoda 7 brings technological progress in the segment of solving parking problems. Namely, the system combines APA (Automatic Parking Assist) and RPA (Remote Parking Assist) technologies. Relying on ultrasonic radars and cameras, the vehicle can automatically recognize the space and park in vertical, parallel, diagonal and extremely narrow parking spaces. Thanks to RPA technology, the driver can remotely control the vehicle via a mobile application from outside the car, thus eliminating the problem of getting out of the vehicle in tight spaces. The system has been perfected by testing more than 1,000 complex parking scenarios. At the presentation, we were presented with that option, which was successfully implemented, but I can’t wait for the test so that I can try it myself in a more familiar (read narrow and tricky) parking lot. Self-parking options have existed for a long time, but market information suggests that almost no one uses them.
In the passenger cabin, the ‘centrally’ located 15.6-inch 2.5K screen supported by the powerful Snapdragon 8155 chip comes to the fore. The system offers voice control in four zones, which means that even the passengers in the back seats can control functions in the vehicle by voice, such as moving the sunroof, adjusting the air conditioning or changing the radio station. You might be wondering why I put ‘centrally located’ in quotes? That’s why in Omodi 7 you have the option, if you touch four fingers to the screen and move them to the right, you will start moving the screen to the position in front of the passenger. Then the passenger gets the possibility of more direct control of numerous functions. This option means that the glove box is missing. How much sense does this make? I’m afraid the same as the ability to rotate the central screen on some BYD models.
Omoda 7 brings a Sony Premium audio system with 8 speakers, while the wireless connection of the mobile device is provided by Apple Car Play and Android Auto systems. There is also a 50W wireless mobile device charger on the center console. To prevent the device from overheating, a fan is installed in the base, which also cools it.
Sound insulation is very good and there is not much noise from around the vehicle, which is due to the double-layer soundproof glass and ENC (Engine Noise Cancellation) technology of active noise cancellation.
Omoda has planned two or three equipment packages for the new model. The starting Urban is the one that brings, among other things, 19 ADAS systems, a reversing camera with rear parking sensors, 19-inch alloy wheels, complete LED lighting, dual-zone air conditioning, heated front seats and steering wheel, navigation… This model costs 34,990 euros.
If you are ready to spend three thousand euros more, you will get the Prime level of equipment, which includes, among other things, a camera with a 540° panoramic view, a panoramic roof, front parking sensors, electric trunk lid opening, a HUD screen, a sliding info screen, a Sony audio system, ventilated front seats and 20-inch alloy wheels.
On this model, it is possible to pay extra for the Prime+ package, which brings front fog lights, a massage option on the front seats, an automatic parking system, as well as the possibility of adjusting the passenger seat to a resting position – a semi-reclining position. The surcharge for this Prime+ package is 2000 euros. For the first customers, until the end of August there is a benefit in gifts. You get a home charger, Type 2 cable, V2L cable, as well as metallic paint. Otherwise, Omoda 7 can be chosen in white, silver, black, green and matte gray options.
There is no doubt that the Omoda 7 brings great value for money, while driving passion, as with most Chinese models, is not a priority. The hybrid drive also works very well, so I believe that this will be a model that we will see more and more on domestic roads.
