The latest plug-in hybrid family SUV claims nearly 400kW – more than any other non-electric car from China ever sold in Australia – due in showrooms next month.
Omoda – the latest sub-brand from Chinese car giant Chery – has launched its first standalone model in Australia, the Omoda 9 plug-in hybrid family SUV.
It is similar in size to a BYD Sealion 6, but it is not as affordable, starting from $61,990 plus on-road costs – compared to $52,990 for a Sealion 6 Premium, and $58,360 for a top-of-the-range Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
Omoda is pitched as a more luxurious cousin to Chery's other brands, its namesake marque and Jaecoo, and will be sold alongside the latter in a line of Omoda Jaecoo dealerships.
The Omoda 9 is the debut model for the brand, as the small SUV previously sold in Chery showrooms as the Chery Omoda 5 has been renamed Chery C5.
It will be offered in a single 'Virtue' plug-in hybrid model grade, with more power than any other non-electric Chinese car ever sold in Australia.
It combines a 105kW/215Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with three electric motors – dual front, developing 75kW/170Nm and 90kW/220Nm, and one rear, producing 175kW/310Nm.
Omoda claims a combined output of 395kW in Australian models for a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.9 seconds, through all-wheel drive and a three-speed 'dedicated hybrid transmission'.
Energy is stored in a 34kWh battery pack good for 169km of claimed electric-only driving range in NEDC lab testing, which is less stringent than the WLTP test more commonly quoted, plus a 1100km range in hybrid mode.
DC fast charging at up to 70kW is claimed to enable a 30 to 80 per cent recharge in 25 minutes.
Standard equipment in the sole Omoda 9 Virtue grade includes 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, dual 12.3-inch screens, leather trim, heated and ventilated seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and head-up display.
Four colours are available – Silk White, Ink Black, Dove Grey and Shadow Grey.
The 2026 Omoda 9 is on sale now, ahead of showroom arrivals due early next month.
2026 Omoda 9 price in Australia
2026 Omoda 9 Virtue SHS standard features include:
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner