Chery returns to Australia with three-strong SUV line-up, electrification confirmed to follow

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Chinese car manufacturer Chery is set to make its official return to Australia later this week with the launch of the Omoda 5 SUV, with much more set to follow.

Following its departure from Australia in 2015, Chery will launch the Omoda 5 as part of a trio of small to large SUVs confirmed for local release with either plug-in hybrids or full EVs set to become part of the brand’s local future.

The first shipment of customer Omoda 5 SUVs, a vehicle similarly sized to the Toyota Corolla Cross, touched down in Perth on Tuesday, ahead of the SUV’s official launch later this week. 

It comes as Chinese brands continue to build sales momentum year-on-year in Australia with MG becoming the seventh-best-selling brand by sales in 2022, just behind Ford and ahead of household names like Subaru, Isuzu and Volkswagen.

Not far behind those was GWM, a brand that has honed in on our local penchant for more utilitarian vehicles with Cannon Ute, the growing Tank 4×4 range and the SUV-focused Haval sub-brand.

Everything you need to know about the Omoda 5:

Exact Australian pricing and specification remain under wraps for now but globally the Omoda 5 was unveiled in 2021 and is focused on the appeal of its design.

The interior includes features that will be familiar to local buyers, including a pair of 10.25-inch screens, synthetic leather-trimmed heated seats, ambient lighting, a 360-degree camera and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay phone mirroring. 

The Omoda 5 launched with a 147kW/290Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, sending power to the front wheels only.

A 1.5-litre four’ is also available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged guise, with the latter also benefiting from a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This powertrain works in conjunction with a CVT transmission with nine simulated steps. 

Plug-in hybrid and EV versions are reported to follow, with the latter said to use a 64kWh paired with a 148kW/400Nm electric motor on the front axle to provide a range of 450km when tested according to the typically more accurate WLTP standard.

Electrification is coming

While it’s not clear if PHEV and EV versions of the Omoda 5 will come down under, Chery Australia brand manager Andrew Haurissa confirmed to Chasing Cars that electrified drivetrains would be coming to Australia.

“We believe to progress in the Australian market it’s important that PHEV or BEV is a part of our future line-up. We are excited to see what support the government will offer for consumers to make them more accessible,” he said.

What other cars are coming from Chery?

Chery Australia brand manager Andrew Haurissa confirmed to Chasing Cars that both the Tiggo 7 Pro midsize SUV and Tiggo 8 Pro large SUV would also be coming to Australia. 

The Tiggo 7 Pro launched its second-generation model in 2020 and is offered globally in both a Pro and a ‘Plus’ variant, with the latter pitched more upmarket and was facelifted in 2022.

In terms of size, the Tiggo 7 Pro is similar to a Mazda CX-5 but just like the Omoda 5 it’s only offered with front-wheel-drive. Similarly, it’s available with a range of 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged engines. 

The Tiggo 8 Pro is also offered with a Plus and Pro Max variant and will offer an alternative to the Toyota Kluger by utilising a seven-seat layout; though five- and six-seat options are also available globally.

Tiggo 8 Pro makes use of a FWD 145kW/290Nm 1.6-litre turbo engine while the ‘Pro Max’ uses a 189kW/390Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged AWD option, with both paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

A PHEV drivetrain is also said to be in the works, powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and two electric motors with a combined output of 180kW/510Nm.