From the first OMODA I drove, I was hooked. The flagship model, the OMODA C9, continues that winning streak. With its energetic drive, thoughtfully designed interior prioritising user comfort and intuitive functionality, and futuristic yet stylish exterior, it delivers on every front.
OMDA designed the C9 to be their cutting-edge new flagship model, featuring elegant styling and an immensely long list of standard luxury features. What stood out is that it has some features that are not often seen in SUVs below the million Rand mark.
The drive
The OMODA C9 comes with a powerful turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, delivering 192 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque. As a result the C9 delivers a sporty and energetic ride for a large SUV.
No matter the driving scenario the OMODA C9 feels like it always has more to give. Whether overtaking, ascending a steep incline or simply gaining pace, the C9 does not fail to deliver. Granted there are some more spirited options on the market but few that compare in term sof tech and value for money.
The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Like the rest of the vehicle, it does not fail to deliver – never lagging or jerking on following gear shifts.
The claimed fuel consumption is set at 8.5L/100km but like many vehicles from the Asian market, this is its kryptonite. During our test period, we achieved 10.1.L/100km, which is not impressive. We are due to test PHEV this year and I look forward to see how efficiency will be improved with 150km of battery power to alleviate consumption.
The tested vehicle was also the AWD which can also negatively impact consumption. If you are not sold on the off-road driving modes or the extra spec, perhaps the FWD model could offer better figures.
The design
OMODA set the C9 apart as its flagship model by designing what they call an avant-garde exterior. It has an eye-catching coupé-like silhouette – emphasises with a sloping fastback-style roofline – and a design language that incorporates the Golden Ratio principle focusing on light, both inside and out.
The daytime running lights and taillights are inspired by the Greek letter ‘Σ.’ Its cabin boasts ambient lighting with 256-colour options. Further exterior design highlights include a borderless grille with distinctive diamond shapes, integrated rear spoiler, a quartet of tailpipes, and flush exterior door handles.
Inside, the seats incorporate the diamond pattern except it was not as overpowering or obvious as other vehicles in which I saw that a similar design trend. The seats are also aerated and have a plush design keeping the user’s comfort in mind.
A similar diametrical design is echoed on the doors as well in the same high-quality material. This is paired with a soft-touch dash as well as a leather steering wheel.
OMODA appears to have borrowed a few design ques that I first saw in more established brands some time before they featured it. This can be seen in their interior door handle and the design and placement of the dial controlling the electronic seat adjustment. These add to luxurious feel as these design cues feature in higher-end vehicles as well.
Something new that I do not immediately recall seeing in other vehicles is an air vent that is below and the same length as the curved dual-screen set-up.
While the boot of the C9 is decent, it lacks in height somewhat. I discovered this when I could not set a medium-sized cool box upright. You can open the foldable top section of the boot, so it is not a complete fail but not ideal should you need privacy from the exterior or protect the items from the sun.
At first, I hoped there would be a second row allowing you to increase the height in the boot. Yet, upon further investigation there is only the spare wheel in the lower section – on a positive note, it is a full-sized spare.
Stepping inside
One feature we noticed in the C9 was a small button above the traditional handle that one would use to open the door. I always question what the point of adding such features is – it needs to be more than just a ‘nice-to-have’ otherwise it affects price and maintenance unnecessarily.
I spent most of my time in that vehicle opening the door with that button until eventually – I discovered its potential purpose. I was parked at a bit of an angle in a parking space (i.e. the left side was slightly of the vehicle higher than the right) and I opened the door with the button. It stopped it from going past a certain point and bumping the adjoining car.
Unfortunately, while trying to emulate it again for a video, I could not get it to do it again no matter how steep of an angle I was on. If this is the point of having a button, it is a great idea in theory but needs a bit more work advancement to work as desired and consistently.
Eventually, research revealed it acts as an electronic release mechanism instead of a traditional mechanical lever. OMODA says this is to improve safety and comfort providing a ‘seamless click-to-open experience,’ rather than just a pull motion – thus it is primarily a nice-to-have.
The OMODA C9 also introduces a wireless charging pad and one non-charging spot that is still visible to you as a driver – admittedly not quite necessary with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – while remaining less as visible from outside as what many cellphone holders are in newer brands.
Just above the cellphone placeholders are dials for quick adjustments of the AC. It is good to see as newer entrants are placing these on the infotainment screen instead, negatively impacting ease of use and attention to the road.
Additionally, one of these dials changes your driving mode between eco, normal, sport, snow, mud, sand, and off-road. Something else that you need to be able to do without looking away from the road.
The centre compartment containing two drinks holders, compartment space and a hidden cubby space under the first can also be closed and hidden from view. Additionally, this adds to the chic feeling created in the interior.
Under this is a lower level centre console with more compartment space. This is where the USB and C-Port are located, however, the cover over it could be better quality to prevent easy breakage. This is unfortunate because including a cover does not seem 100% necessary. .
Something else that I saw for the first time in the C9 is a controller to move the passenger seat on the right of the passenger seat. This allows the driver to move the seat for children or back passengers without leaning over to do it.
The rear passengers of the C9 have as much to enjoy in the C9 as other passengers. The rear seats are fully electronically adjustable including both the top and the bench of the seat.
The rear has their own control of the AC airflow speed and direction as well as the expected C and USB-ports. Additionally, the rear bench also has heat seating which passengers can control themselves as well. Again, not often seen in vehicles at this price point.
The rearview camera also comes with multiple functionalities. You can select between different angles including a 560-degree view, side view showing distance to neighbouring objects or other cars, and front view. It has decent graphics – outperforming many established brands.
Another feature that was quite impressive is that the driver information screen is also a touchscreen. Thus, instead of only using controls on the steering wheel to change or view certain information, it can be adjusted on the instrument cluster too.
Additional features of the OMODA C9 include an electronically opening tailgate, automatically adjustable seat and steering wheel on entry and exit, ambient lighting, 20-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, black leather upholstery, heating and ventilation in electrically adjustable seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch digital dual curved display, heads-up display, and parking sensors (front and rear).
The tested model, the AWD Explore, also features adaptive suspension, off-road driving modes, Nappa leather upholstery, a black-and-brown interior colour scheme, red brake callipers, a 12-speaker Sony sound system, an integrated fragrance system and an adaptive front lighting system, complete with an intelligent welcome mode.
Safety
The OMODA C9 recently earned a 5-star rating from Euro NCAP at crash test evalkuations.
Key safety features of the South African vehicle include:
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
- Automatic emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure warning/prevention & lane change assist
- Rear cross traffic alert & braking
- Door opening collision warning
- Traffic congestion assist
- Front, side, curtain, driver knee, and bolster airbags.
- Second collision mitigation to warn of secondary impacts after an initial collision
- High-strength materials for crash protection
- Driver monitoring system
- Dual ISOFIX anchors
- Child presence detection
As a vehicle offering similar specifications to high-end options on the market but coming in at a much better price, it is interesting to see the success it is already achieving in terms of sales figures. This particularly true in a segment where established reputations could potentially mean more to buyers than the price point.
In many ways the OMODA C9 has more than what many high-end options can offer. If a well-spec’d vehicle is what you are after, the C9 is unlikely to disappoint with its often intuitive and innovative tech.
Good to know
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol engine
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5 L/100km (claimed)
Fuel consumption: 10.1 L/100km (achieved)
Power: 192 kW
Torque: 400 Nm
Price: starting from R785 900
Warranty and service plan: 7-year/100 000 km service plan, a 7-year/200 000 km vehicle warranty and a 10-year/1 000 000 km engine warranty (for the first owner)
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