Sharp styling and bold surfacing give the C7 a distinctly modern road presence.
Image: Supplied
Omoda’s compact C5 has been a hit on local sales charts, and the Chery-owned Chinese brand is aiming to emulate that success in the mid-size segment with its new C7. Available in turbopetrol and plug-in hybrid guises, this middle child is priced between R539,900 and R689,900.
Omoda is closely linked with its sister brand Jaecoo, but has a sportier positioning, and this is aptly reflected in the C7, with its sharp body creases and almost serpent-like face that sees angular headlights pointing into a borderless grille.
Is it everyone’s cup of tea? Probably not, but it’s certainly not boring or generic either.
Having spent some time with the SHS plug-in hybrid version earlier this year, we recently tested the internal combustion model for a week to see if this entry-level model passes muster for those shopping in this segment.
The 1.6T offers adequate everyday performance, with smooth enough urban driveability.
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The 1.6T Elegance that we reviewed commands a R50,000 premium over the entry ‘Luxury’ variant, but it’s a good R100,000 less expensive than the SHS plug-in hybrid.
While that cancels out any fuel-saving argument that the hybrid might present, there is also a significant performance difference to take into account, with the SHS offering superior performance from its 255kW drivetrain, as well as significantly smoother power delivery and overall drivability.
Nonetheless, the 1.6-litre turbo variant, with its outputs of 145kW and 290Nm delivered to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, still does everything you would expect at this price point.
There is enough power to provide effortless performance, both in town and on the freeway, and ample urge to overtake on rural roads. Take-off lag is minimal and the gearbox is mostly smooth in its operation, although it can occasionally feel a little clunky during low-speed driving.
Economy is more average than impressive, and in real-world mixed conditions you’re likely to see consumption in the region of 10 litres per 100km.
The C7’s suspension is tuned more for comfort than handling, which makes sense in this category, and the result is a compliant ride quality that deals with most road surfaces in reasonable comfort.
The C7’s interior offers generous rear legroom and a generously sized boot that swallows 614 litres of luggage.
A clean, tech-focused cabin anchored by twin digital displays.
Image: Supplied
The cockpit boasts a modern and high-tech look and feel, while the perceived material quality is impressive. The design is minimalistic, housing most controls within a large 15.6-inch infotainment screen and 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster. The downside of the minimalist cabin design is that you have to control the ventilation system via the central screen, although you can shortcut to it by pressing the A/C button. The demisting functions also have physical buttons.
Standard specification is hugely generous, with dual-zone climate control, charging pad, panoramic sunroof, power-operated tailgate, and a very decent eight-speaker Sony sound system all included. The seats are upholstered in black leather and are electrically adjustable upfront, with a memory function included for the driver.
The C7 also comes with up to 21 driver assistance and safety features, including blind spot detection, lane change assist and adaptive cruise control.
VERDICT
The C7 1.6T doesn’t quite match the polish or effortless performance of the hybrid, but it still delivers solid real-world pace, a comfortable ride and a well-equipped, modern cabin at a more accessible price point.
It may not be the standout in the range, but it’s a competent and easy-to-live-with entry option for buyers who don’t need the extra punch or efficiency of the SHS model. It's impressively equipped for the money, but there are plenty of compelling rivals at the price, including its Jaecoo J7 and Chery Tiggo 7 siblings, as well as the Toyota Corolla Cross and Kia Seltos.
IOL Motoring