Omoda E5 99kW Review

This Omoda E5 has a tough time ahead. Customers looking for an electric crossover here currently have a wide sweep of options that range from the popular BYD Atto 3 to the premium BMW iX1.

So just why should they opt for this E5 instead?

The Omoda E5 features a set of distinctive head lights and taillights

A new value

Let's get some basics out of the way first. This car isn't exactly new, but unlike the example we drove in April 2024, this E5 now swings in with a total output of 99kW (133bhp), and being Cat A COE friendly means you can have one in your garage for a sweet $9,000 discount compared to the 150kW variant.

But there's more good news. This Cat A COE variant loses nothing on its feature list next to its more powerful stablemate.

That means you still get all the host of highlights that we saw in our first run in with the E5 including ventilated seats at the front row, a 50W inductive smartphone charger (that also comes with its own cooling vents), a 64-colour ambient lighting system, as well as a Sony eight-speaker sound system.

The 61kWh battery of the Omoda E5 can be charged at a maximum power of 80kW when plugged into a direct current charger

Still as easy to drive

And it's still as easy as before to drive. This 99kW variant matches its 150kW brother for total torque output at 340Nm and feels like it on the road. Moving off from the lights is still as easy as before, and you really won't feel the power deficit until you keep that accelerator pedal pinned to the carpet.

And all the points that made the E5 so appreciated when we first drove it are still present in this new variant, including its sufficiently comfortable ride and wide sweep of active safety features.

Take some time to get used to the compromised rearward visibility (owing to that sloping rear) and the fact that regenerative braking comes in at a slight delay after you lift off from the accelerator pedal and the E5 should serve well as an everyday commuter.

Highlights in the cabin of the Omoda E5 include a 50W inductive smartphone charger as well as ventilated seats in the front row

Every bit as capable as before

But I've saved the best part for the end. Pick this 99kW variant and you'll still get your electric crossover with a 61kWh battery that does duty in the more powerful variant. And this variant also loses nothing when it comes to maximum charging speeds compared to the more powerful variant, so you'll see no compromise when it comes to day-to-day useability.

So, should you make this your electric crossover? At $159,888, this 99kW Omoda E5 should appeal to those looking to make the switch to electric mobility for a minimal outlay. The BYD Atto 3 and MG ZS, for example, both swing in at a starting price of $165,888.

Looking for a sensibly-priced all-electric crossover? This Omoda E5 should fit the bill

And if you must have a gently sloping roofline, there's also the Citroen e-C4 Electric to consider, which does come in at only $156,999, but picking this will mean you'll have to make do with a slightly smaller 50kWh battery (all prices as of 13 December 2024).

More options are sure to muscle into the growing electric crossover segment here. But this Omoda E5 looks all set to continue to appeal as a sensibly-priced and feature-packed option.

Shopping for an electric crossover? You might also be interested in these options:

The Peugeot E-2008 now offers more range and comes with a sharper design than before

The Hyundai Kona Electric gets a spacious cabin and a refined drivetrain

There's also the quiet yet capable Kia Niro Electric to consider!