Omoda 9 Plug-in: When the Chinese stop being shy

One out of every three new cars in the country comes from China. Think we’ve reached the peak? Think again. In a few months, a new brand called Omoda will start operating, bringing three new models to the Israeli market: A small crossover the size of a SEAT Arona called Omoda 4, a mid-size crossover the size of a JAC 7 called Omoda 7, and a large 5-seater crossover the size of a Kia Sorento called Omoda 9.

Just before the launch, we had the chance to test the brand’s flagship, the Omoda 9, which will also arrive in a plug-in version with an even larger electric range of 150 km.

The Omoda brand belongs to the Chery group, like the JAC brand you know, as well as other brands expected to arrive during 2026, such as the luxury brand Tek Excellent (XCeed in China and other countries) and the off-road brand iCar. Originally, Omoda was intended for the Russian market, which was one of Chery’s strongest and most dominant markets, but plans changed, and in 2023, Omoda (along with JAC) embarked on an independent path.

Chery characterizes both brands as O&J, sold together in the same showroom, forming a division focused on exports. Like JAC, the Omoda brand name was created from a combination of words: The letter O from “Oxygen” and the two syllables “Moda” meaning fashion. To implement the fashion style, Omoda wears an elegant, coupe-like design, which also differentiates it from JAC, with its tougher and more rugged look, and from Chery, with its more conventional crossover appearance.

The model we are testing is the Omoda 9, first presented as a concept in 2022 and entering production in 2023. It began its journey under another Chery group brand, XCeed, in a model called 'Yaoguang' in China and 'RX' in export markets. Even today, it continues to be sold under the XCeed brand, while from 2024 it is also sold under Omoda as the 9 model, which is the version that will arrive here.

If you were looking for one expression of the brand’s elegant direction, look at the front end. We’re used to seeing Chinese cars with either a solid Tesla-style front or a prominent, shiny monument meant to draw attention. Omoda took a different approach: The traditional grille is integrated into the front end, creating a stylish and refined appearance. Combined with the sculpted rear pillar in a coupe style and its large dimensions, the Omoda 9 builds an impressive look befitting the brand’s flagship.

The driver’s environment continues the elegant line with a large, wide center console between the seats, a pair of screens in a single frame, and minimal buttons.

As usual, the screens (12.3 inches each) offer a lot of information and options—perhaps too much—and some of the fonts are small and less readable. Together, they create operational complexity that could have been simpler, though not all is lost. The climate control is managed by three convenient switches below the screen, and seat adjustment is on the door, Mercedes-style. This makes it easier to operate and much more convenient to use by feel while driving.

The Omoda 9 is a large SUV with considerable dimensions: Length 4.78 m, width 1.92 m, height 1.67 m, and a wheelbase of 2.80 m. Unsurprisingly, the 5-seat layout in a vehicle that could accommodate a third row offers plenty of space in every direction. Front and rear seats are comfortable, with the driver’s seat being large and almost armchair-like, providing a good field of vision.

The trunk is large at 660 liters and well-made, though the loading sill is slightly high, and at least in the car we tested, it lacks a spare wheel.

The European safety organization tested the 9 this year and awarded it 5 stars, with very high scores: 90% for adult protection, 85% for child protection, 81% for pedestrian protection, 80% for safety systems.

In China, the 9 is offered with a variety of gasoline engines that will not arrive here. We will receive only the top-end plug-in hybrid version. It’s the same engine as in the recently launched JAC 8 in Israel, combining a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 143 hp, and three electric motors producing a combined output of 537 hp and 66.3 kg·m of torque. The gearbox is a 3-speed automatic dedicated to hybrid drive (DHT3), and it has all-wheel drive.

As a plug-in vehicle, the 9 has a large 34.5 kWh battery and a declared electric range of 150 km. Fast charging at 71 kW allows charging from 30% to 80% in 25 minutes.

The large battery and powerful electric motors allow the 9 to drive on electricity alone. As long as the accelerator is pressed gently, movement will always be electric. Occasionally, the gasoline engine will engage to recharge the battery, audible but not intrusive. The electric range could not be verified during the event, and we will update when we test the car in Israel.

No one buys such a large SUV to outrun traffic at every light, but it’s good to know that power is abundant. Classic acceleration to 100 km/h takes 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 180 km/h. The strong electric motors compensate for the few gears, making even mid-range acceleration instantaneous, and it seems there are always extra horses pushing this large vehicle forward.

The driving segments included a winding test track and some city driving, showing only part of the story. The basic tuning is soft and cushioned, ideal for a large family SUV. It’s also very quiet in the city regarding road noise, with only the gasoline engine engaging being noticeable but not disturbing.

Dynamic capability is high despite the softness and moderate body roll. The steering is very quick (2.6 turns lock-to-lock), allowing agile city maneuvering, and the brakes are good.

The Omoda 9 will arrive in Israel in the first quarter of 2026 with the launch of the new brand. Price has not been announced yet, but given that its siblings—JAC 8 and Chery Tiggo 9—arrived in Israel with a similar engine at NIS 230,000-255,000, the range is clear.

At such a price, the main competition will be internal, between the Omoda 9, JAC 8, and Chery Tiggo 9, with each model offering something different to the target audience. The Omoda 9 will play the elegant card, and if priced similarly to its siblings, it will likely find buyers willing to pay.

The author was a guest of Omoda in China