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By Jonathan Crouch

The Omoda E5 is a small electric family crossover claiming to offer a lot. Can it deliver? Jonathan Crouch decides.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 41

Chinese brand Omoda's initial foray into the UK market depends largely on this car, the Omoda E5. This all-electric compact family crossover enters a tough segment but brings value and fashionable design for those prepared to try something a little different.

Backgroundword count: 129

After years of promising to flood our market with electric vehicles, China finally has, with all manner of new EVs from unfamiliar brands arriving to take on the established makers. Here's another, the Omoda E5, a Chery automotive group product that sells alongside the conventional petrol version of this car that was launched just before it. As with other Chinese EVs from brands like the BYD, MG, GWM Ora and NIO, this one primarily sells on value, technology and design. You probably aren't yet familiar with the Omoda 5; it's a lower mid-sized Qashqai-sized family SUV aimed in this guise primarily at cars like the Hyundai Kona electric and the Kia Niro EV. So why might you choose this Omoda over these established players? Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 198

The top version of this Omoda E5 is powered by single front-mounted 201bhp motor. That's energised by a 61.4kWh battery that when fully charged is claimed to be able to take the car up to 257 miles. The 62mph from rest sprint occupies 7.6s en route to 107mph, about the same as a comparably-sized (but far pricier) Lexus UX300e. If you don't need to go that fast, a 134bhp model with a smaller 48kWh battery will also be later available (range around 217 miles). Neither variant will feature the paddles on the steering wheel you get with some rivals to control the strength of regen braking. Handling was developed in Europe and benchmarked against what the brand sees as this car's closest rival, the Hyundai Kona Electric. The suspension, steering and anti-roll bars have all been re-tuned over the Chinese market model to cater for differing European tastes. Don't expect cutting-edge handling or particularly feelsome steering but the drive dynamics will certainly be class competitive. There are various drive modes provided - 'Sport', 'Comfort' and 'Eco': obviously, to get anywhere near to the quoted efficiency stats, you'll need to spend most of your time in the 'Eco' setting.

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