Last year I found myself in Zhengzhou, China, where the roads are thick with impressive metal you’ve likely never seen before. Coupés, saloons and SUVs wearing badges that mean absolutely nothing to you – yet. If you can imagine a body style, chances are it already exists there. This, however, isn’t just another unfamiliar face. This is the electrified Omoda C9 SHS, and that SHS badge stands for Super Hybrid System – tech it shares with its sibling brand, Jaecoo.
Omoda, alongside Jaecoo, sits within the Chery stable, which gives it a decent amount of credibility straight out the gate. But where the C9 really plays its hand is in the design department. It’s a genuinely striking SUV that turns heads without trying too hard. Yes, there are some familiar tropes – flush door handles, for example (which may not survive the next iteration thanks to China banning them for safety reasons), intricate fender trim, a floating grid-pattern grille and ornate headlamps set into a black panel. But taken as a whole, the design feels cohesive and well resolved.
I’m particularly fond of how the rear tapers into a teardrop profile, adding a sense of elegance that’s nicely offset by the large 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin rubber. It looks quick. And it is. Under the skin, a humble 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine works alongside no fewer than four electric motors to deliver a frankly ridiculous 440kW and 915Nm. The result is a 0–100km/h sprint in just 4.9 seconds. Despite that performance, the C9 remains impressively composed, riding comfortably even on gravel, with those big wheels doing little to upset its plush demeanour.
Our test unit was the flagship, finished in grey, and it attracted attention wherever it went. Inside, the European influence continues. High-quality leather stitching? Check. A borderline overwhelming array of safety systems? Also check. To be fair, this isn’t an Omoda-specific issue – it’s simply the direction modern vehicle safety has taken, with China leading the charge. There’s an almost constant soundtrack of beeps and warnings as lane-keeping and driver monitoring systems do their thing. Tune that out, and you’ll find a genuinely premium-feeling cabin.
On electric power alone, the C9 can manage up to 150km. Combine that with the fuel tank and a total range north of 1,000km is entirely feasible. Comfort and convenience are well catered for, too: heated and ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 12-speaker Sony sound system, and a panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with light. It’s a lovely place to spend time.
Verdict
Yes, it costs a million rand. If that made you flinch, it shouldn’t. SUVs of this size, with this level of technology, performance and finish, can cost anywhere between R800k and R2 million depending on the badge on the boot. It’s not my job to convince you to buy a Chinese car, but if one is already on your radar – and your bank balance is ready – the Omoda C9 SHS makes a strong case for itself. Backed by the Chery stable and solid local support in Mzansi, it offers genuine value. As a luxury midsize SUV, the C9 isn’t just good. It’s genuinely impressive.