During my first drive of the OMODA C5 1.5 Elegance I was left wondering but what is different? After driving the 1.6 GT Line just a few weeks before there seemed to be little to no difference between the two other than the power output. Even that was not that noticeable.
Thus, why would someone pay the approximately R80 000 difference to buy the GT over the 1.5 Elegance? There are a few differences which this article will compare for you so you can decide for yourself which SUV is better for you.
The drive
This is where the greatest difference in specifications is present. The tested vehicle has a 1.5L, 4-cylinder, turbopetrol engine. This has a power output of 115 kW and the torque is 230 Nm. Compared to the GT, this is a difference of 30 kW and 60 Nm.
The difference in power was not great enough to be significantly noticeable. If anything, I enjoyed the drive of the C5 Elegance more than what I did The GT. Granted, there were some weeks between testing the two, which likely affected my perception.
Like its sibling, the C5 Elegance performs energetically, with a particularly responsive take-off. It also never let me down no matter the driving scenario: up inclines, overtaking another vehicle, at cruising speed on the highway, in traffic or just average suburban driving. It is a fantastic city driving car that can also perform on those longer-distance trips when necessary.
The transmission of the C5 Elegance differs from its sibling as well. The C5 has a CVT transmission whereas the GT has a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Ordinarily, I would expect a significant difference but, alas, I cannot say I did. The CVT transmissions of Chery, and by default OMODA, is so impressive, it is difficult to fault. In theory, this is where the GT wins.
The claimed fuel consumption of the OMODA C5 Elegance is claimed at 6.9L/100km. It is slightly more than the GT’s claimed 6.8L/100km. What both have in common is the actual consumption is considerably less efficient than claimed numbers.
The C5 Elegance only managed 9L/100km. The majority of driving was open-road and I drove in eco mode most of the time so I did expect better. The GT was not much better with a consumption of 10.6 but the driving conditions were quite different.
The design
I preferred the front of the C5 Elegance over the GT line. It has a stronger more powerful stance which ties in with OMODA’s objective to be completely different to all other vehicles. There are also plenty of images of the GT line with custom gold accents which I am not a fan of personally, thus the C5 Elegance is more… elegant.
Something quite unique is the mint green colour of the vehicle. When I first drove it, it was already dusk so I thought it was powder blue. The next day a friend gushed over the mint green car and on closer inspection I saw she was right. One of the most unique colours on the road and something many people commented on.
The integrated star diamond grille sets it apart from other vehicles as well It is the centre piece of the OMODA look. The OMODA brand is proudly displayed on the sculpted bonnet.
OMODA aims to make the C5 Elegance a sporty looking SUV with a sloping roof resting on darkened roof pillars for a floating look. A mix of seamlessly flowing curves, accentuated hip line and various concave and convex curves in the doors and fenders and sharp lines is repeated on the side profile is intended to catch the surrounding light for best effect.
At the rear, the unique OMODA design includes a dual stacked roof spoiler and multi-dimensional rear lights, dubbed X-Wing lights for their use of sharp lines and multiple LEDs.
The question I have is why the 230T on the rear of the vehicle? If you did not know any better, it seems like the OMODA is a 2.3L turbo because it does not say 1.5 anywhere on the vehicle.
Stepping inside
The interior is like-for-like between the C5 Elegance and the GT line. There is not much more that can be said for it than what was already mentioned in the review of the GT line. What can be said is that this is one place where brands do choose to bring in more differentiation between their sport and other models. It feels like a missed opportunity on their behalf.
The C5, like the GT line, has a good amount of boot space. You can also lift the base of the boot to reveal smaller storage areas for extra space or to store more valuable items. It also has electronic opening (which does make a bit of clunk when it closes).
The tech
One aspect I did not mention in the GT line review is the gear stick. Initially, I thought it was just a case of getting accustomed to but this time it bothered me somewhat more. On the side of the gear stick is a button that you can press if you want to go into manual shift.
The OMODA functions in the opposite way to many other vehicles. If you want to change gears you shift without the button and press it if you want to change to manual. The frustrating part is the button is exactly where your thumb rests and it was too easy to accidentally press it.
Chery’s wrap-around, single screen for the infotainment and driver information screen is one of its more impressive features. From the side they look very sleek and elegantly placed. Both are also touchscreen.
The voice commands of the OMODA C5 Elegance are the best I have encountered yet. A passenger commented the indicator sounds were annoying and he would rather play music. No sooner had he said it than the OMODA responded, ‘Playing music.’ The look on his face was priceless.
When first launched OMODA’s intent was to create vehicles sparing nothing. Neither option wants for anything which, if you consider that the entry level C5 comes in at only R447 900, is not to be easily dismissed.
The OMODA C5 Elegance, like the GT line, features a start button, remote start using the fob, electronic handbrake, climate control with high-grade air filtering and remote control with the fob, digital driver information screen, Android Auto and Apple Carplay, remote entry and exit, both USB and C-ports, rear aircon controls and charging point, voice-responsive, fully opening sunroof, surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure sensors, 8-speaker audio system, and 64-option ambient lighting (which can be linked to the sound system and change according to the music playing).
Safety
With a 5-star NCAP safety rating, OMODA does not sacrifice any safety features in either derivative. Read more about these here.
Now to answer the question – is the GT Line worth the extra R80 000? The answer is no. Yes, there is more power, different design and DCT but the C5 Elegance still performs exceptionally well in all three of those areas. The extra money does not seem worth it.
Ultimately, it comes down to aesthetics, choose the one that visually appeals to you more. Everything else is so similar you could be forgiven for not knowing there is a difference.
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