Head of the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub and former Associate Editor of CAR. Road tester, organiser, reporter and professional enthusiast, putting the driver firstHead of the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub and former Associate Editor of CAR.
The centre console is different, too, with the gearlever changing to a column stalk and the wireless phone charger hidden under a sliding panel. There are very few buttons inside – but let’s come back to that later. The bigger changes are under the bonnet.Like many other EVs, the Omoda 5 is powered by a 150kW electric motor. However, unlike many other EVs, that 201bhp equivalent drives the front wheels, not the back ones.
The E5 feels like a more mature product. The suspension is still firm – which works to control lean in the corners but does make the ride more irritable than I’d ideally like – and you do still get tossed from side to side as the chassis deals with offset undulations. But there’s less lolloping and a greater encouragement that you can confidently press on, should the need take you.
This results in a sort of pulsing, porpoising situation reminiscent of a learner kangarooing down the road . I’ve driven a lot of cars with motor regen by this stage in my career, and I’ve never come across anything quite like it. Meanwhile, the lowest regen setting offers almost no braking effect, so that isn’t much fun either. A set of paddles to vary the level on the fly would be godsend under the circumstances. But no joy.
The animated screens that accompany each switch of driving mode also take up too much screen time. The breathy female voice that announces what you’ve selected – as well as pointing out hazards and other potential items of interest – is another unusual touch.