2023 Omoda C5

Omoda C5

Omoda’s C5 slots right into the heart of the compact SUV hustle, targeting South Africans who want a bit of flash without crossing that R500k Rubicon. You’re looking at direct competition with the Haval Jolion, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, and MG ZS—each one fighting for that same crowd chasing value and features. The C5’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol is the workhorse, but the real eyebrow-raiser is the SHS DHT plug-in hybrid, something you rarely see at this price. Transmission choices run the full alphabet: auto, CVT, dual-clutch, semi-auto, depending on how deep your pockets and how fussy your left foot. With a median price of R339,900 from 169 listings (and 110 of those are factory-fresh), you can see Omoda’s playing for volume, not boutique bragging rights. If you’re a numbers person, the 1.5T Street+ is where the action’s at—62 listings and prices starting at R294,900, so it’s the one you’ll actually find on the lot. The Style X brings a bit more visual drama and is scattered across another 39 listings, stretching up to R374,900. That plug-in hybrid’s R439,900–R469,900 sticker is a leap, and, on paper at least, you’ll need to do a lot of Jozi–Pretoria commutes for the fuel savings to claw back that gap. Used? Barely. The average odometer reading is just 3,426 km, so these are basically pre-registered new cars. Where the C5 edges ahead of the Jolion is in the spec sheet and styling stakes, and what it gives you over the MG ZS is a hybrid for those wanting to dodge a few more fuel stops—because that matters, especially if Eskom’s not having a bad day.