Omoda’s UK expansion continued this summer with the launch of the 9 SHS plug-in hybrid SUV this spring. Al Suttie grabs the keys for a week.

Omoda 9 SHS

List price (BiK): £44,825 (6%)  CO2: 38g/km  Economy: 201.8mpg  Test efficiency: 49.4mpg

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Monday

There have been a fair few arrivals in the large SUV sector recently and one of them touched down with me this week in the shape of the Omoda 9 SHS. As part of the Chery/Jaecoo/Omoda triumvirate, I had an idea of what to expect, but it didn’t prepare me for a car of this sort of size. The 9 SHS is definitely on a par with an Audi Q5, Telsa Model Y or Volvo XC60 for scale and presence. Can it better them, though, for fleet users?

Tuesday

Details such as the pop-out door handles, pull-up inner front door handles and the rear lights incorporated into the roof spoiler all give the Omoda a premium feel. This is backed up by the general cabin ambience thanks to the look and feel of the materials and the way they are finished and put together. Things such as the central cubby lid could be better damped, but it’s not enough to upset the upmarket appeal in here.

Wednesday

Mid-week football practice for my son’s team and it’s my turn to drive the bus, which means picking up some of his mates along the way. Absolutely no problem for the Omoda as it has more than enough rear leg, head and shoulder room for rangy teenagers, plus the boot has a 600-litre capacity to hold their bags. However, it’s quite a high sill and narrow entrance to the boot when carrying bulkier items.

Thursday

Omoda claims a 93-mile EV range for the 9 SHS as a plug-in hybrid. That is impressive and I managed a 42-mile round trip on battery power alone this morning. There was still enough charge for another electric-only jaunt this afternoon, so I reckon more than 70 miles on EV power in a Scottish winter is very good and bodes well for further range in warmer weather.

Friday

The 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine in the Omoda 9 works largely as a range extender, coming in smoothly and quietly to keep the car moving when battery power is waning. Or it comes in to use when you want full-on acceleration. The 9 claims 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds, which is more than quick enough for a family SUV for overtaking and everything else you could ask of it.

Saturday

A day out to see friends who live further into the sticks than we, so some poorly maintained roads as well as the usual A- and B-roads. This shows up the one area where the Omoda trails its key sector rivals, namely ride quality. Where a BMW X3 feels agile and lithe, the Omoda leans too much in corners yet misses absorbent comfort on gnarled surfaces. Better damping is needed here.

Sunday

The Omoda 9 SHS is not going to convince the keen drivers among fleets, but it has a huge amount going for it for many. It comes in one generously equipped trim, has very welcome physical heating controls, is quiet and recorded nigh-on 50mpg in our time with it. The EV range also lives up to the impressive claim. While it doesn’t trounce the opposition, it gives the likes of Tesla, Volvo and Audi plenty to worry about.