Towing review of the OMODA 9 – maximum Omoda 9 towing capacity – Need an Omoda 9 towbar?

Towing review of the OMODA 9 – maximum Omoda 9 towing capacity – Need an Omoda 9 towbar?

The OMODA 9 marks a bold leap forward for Chery’s premium offshoot brand, aiming to place itself squarely in the competitive territory of large hybrid SUVs like the Volvo XC90, BMW X5, and Lexus RX. Built on Chery’s new “SHS” platform, it combines a turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors and a large plug-in hybrid battery, promising both luxury and performance at a far more approachable price.

Exterior Design and Dimensions

At just under 4.75 metres long, 1.93 metres wide, and 1.68 metres tall, the OMODA 9 is a full-size SUV in every sense, riding on a 2.8 metre wheelbase that gives it an impressive stance. Its design language is clean and contemporary, a clear evolution of OMODA’s “Art in Motion” philosophy — sculpted panels, a sloping roofline, and slim LED headlamps that blend into a frameless grille. From the rear, the connected taillight strip and hidden exhausts lend it a premium, almost Scandinavian simplicity. Reviewers often remark that from a distance, it could easily be mistaken for a high-end European SUV, which is exactly what OMODA intends.

Interior, Comfort, and Technology

Inside, the OMODA 9 projects a distinctly modern luxury feel. The cabin is spacious and bright, dominated by twin 12.3-inch high-resolution screens — one for the digital instrument cluster, the other for infotainment — both responsive and attractively designed. There’s a floating centre console with wireless charging, brushed metal accents, and ambient lighting that can be customized across several hues. Materials quality varies slightly: the upper dashboard and seats use soft-touch, stitched materials, while some lower panels are firmer plastic. Still, the overall impression is high-end and well-assembled.

The seating is a particular highlight. The front seats are electrically adjustable, heated, and ventilated, while rear passengers enjoy generous legroom and reclining backrests thanks to the long wheelbase. Even taller passengers find the rear bench accommodating. The panoramic glass roof enhances the sense of space, flooding the cabin with natural light. Cargo capacity is around 660 litres with seats up, expanding well over 1,500 litres when folded, making it ideal for family travel.  Need more space, be sure to fit our Omoda towbar to tow a trailer up to 1500kgs or take your bike along on your next weekend away.

Technology is abundant. The top-spec versions feature a 14-speaker Sony surround-sound system, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with over-the-air software updates. Build quality is solid and comparable to mid-range European luxury SUVs, though a few controls still reveal the brand’s emerging-market origins — for example, touch-sensitive buttons that lack the haptic refinement of Audi or Mercedes systems.

Powertrain and Performance

Under the bonnet lies a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with two electric motors and a 34.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, forming what OMODA calls the SHS plug-in hybrid system. The combined output reaches roughly 440 to 456 horsepower (around 340 to 395 kW) and an estimated peak torque of about 650 Nm, depending on market tuning.

OMODA claims a 0–100 km/h time of just under 5 seconds, which is exceptional for a plug-in SUV of this size. Power delivery is smooth once underway, though some reviewers note a slight hesitation when the petrol engine joins forces with the motors after coasting in EV mode. The transmission — an electronically controlled multi-speed unit — shifts unobtrusively in daily driving.

The real headline is electric range. Thanks to its large 34.5 kWh battery, the OMODA 9 can travel up to 89–93 miles (around 144–150 km) on electric power alone under WLTP-equivalent testing. That figure makes it one of the longest-range plug-in hybrids currently on sale, surpassing even the latest Volvo and Mercedes PHEVs. In real-world mixed driving, owners can expect closer to 65–75 miles of genuine electric use — still excellent for a hybrid SUV. The car supports AC charging up to 11 kW and DC fast-charging up to about 70 kW, allowing a full charge in roughly two and a half hours on a home wallbox or just over half an hour on a high-power charger.

When running in hybrid mode, OMODA claims an average fuel economy of under 2.0 L/100 km (around 140 mpg), though this depends heavily on how often it’s charged. The seamless switch between petrol and electric power gives the OMODA 9 a relaxed, effortless character on the open road, though its nearly 2.3-tonne curb weight means spirited cornering reveals some body roll. Ride comfort, on the other hand, is impressive — the suspension isolates bumps effectively, and the cabin remains composed even on rougher tarmac.

Ride, Handling, and Refinement

The OMODA 9 is tuned more for comfort than for sportiness. The steering is light and accurate but lacks the tactile feel that drivers of European rivals might expect. The suspension setup absorbs most imperfections gracefully, making long journeys comfortable and serene. On winding roads, the SUV remains secure and predictable, though not particularly engaging. The electric motors’ instant torque provides brisk acceleration, and overtaking is effortless.

Noise insulation is one of the car’s quiet strengths. In EV mode, it glides almost silently, and even when the petrol engine engages, its note is muted. At motorway speeds, wind and tyre noise are kept well in check — a result of improved sealing and double-glazed windows in higher trims. The refinement levels match or surpass those of mainstream rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV or Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The OMODA 9 was tested by Euro NCAP in mid-2025, achieving a five-star rating with strong scores in adult and child occupant protection and an impressive performance in safety assist categories. Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping and lane-centring assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention system. The car’s semi-autonomous driving capabilities are competent, though the lane-keeping system can sometimes intervene a little too abruptly on narrow roads.

Driving Character and Everyday Use

In everyday life, the OMODA 9 behaves much like a refined electric SUV. Most city commutes can be done without burning a drop of petrol, and regenerative braking is well-tuned to allow one-pedal-like driving in its stronger setting. The transition between EV and hybrid modes is mostly imperceptible, and cabin climate remains effective even in EV-only operation thanks to an electric compressor for air-conditioning.

Visibility is decent thanks to the high seating position and large windows, though the thick C-pillars require reliance on the 360-camera when parking. The driving position is upright and commanding, and the overall sense of control is enhanced by a large, clear heads-up display and customizable digital instrument cluster.

For families, the OMODA 9’s combination of space, comfort, and safety makes it appealing, especially given its ability to run electrically for most errands. For business users, its low CO₂ emissions and potential tax benefits as a plug-in hybrid make it financially attractive.

Towing specs of the OMODA 9

In the UK, Australia, Europe, the OMODA 9 SHS (plug-in hybrid) has these towing figures:

• Maximum towing capacity (braked trailer): 1,500
• Maximum towing capacity (unbraked trailer): 750

Other relevant figures:

• Its gross vehicle weight (GVW) is about 2,717 kg
• The kerb weight (i.e. the vehicle as sold, with standard equipment but no extra payload or load) is around 2,195-2,270 kg depending on the market and trim

What that means in practice

With a braked capacity of 1,500 kg, you can tow things like a medium-sized caravan, a boat trailer, or a heavier trailer load, provided it meets the “braked” requirement. The unbraked limit of 750 kg is much lighter; that’s for smaller trailers or loads where there is no trailer braking system.

Given the vehicle’s kerb weight and payload, there are a few trade-offs:

• When towing near the maximum, performance (acceleration, braking, hill climbs) will be noticeably affected. The hybrid system’s electric assist helps, especially off the line, but the extra mass still matters.
• Electric range (in EV mode) will drop when towing, especially if the trailer is heavy or aerodynamically inefficient. Even though the OMODA 9 has a large battery, pulling extra weight always cuts range.
• Fuel consumption when running on petrol or hybrid mode will increase significantly when towing, particularly at highway speeds or on inclines.

Considerations & what to check

If you're thinking of towing with an OMODA 9, here are some important things to check/ask:

1. Trailer type: Is it braked or unbraked? If the trailer has its own braking system (braked), you can use up to 1,500 kg. If not, limit is 750 kg.
2. Payload / passenger weight: The payload (what you can load in the car plus people + trailer tongue etc.) subtracts from the usable weight budget. If you have full passengers and a lot of gear, your trailer weight may need to be lower to stay within legal and safe limits.
3. Braking and cooling: Towing adds stress. Check that the brakes, cooling systems and tyres are in good condition.
4. Battery & EV mode effects: Because the OMODA 9 is a plug-in hybrid, electric motors help with torque at low speeds; this helps when pulling away with a load. But battery depletion will accelerate, and recharging takes more time if the battery is drained by load + distance

Verdict

The OMODA 9 is an impressive debut in the premium hybrid SUV segment, offering a combination of performance, electric range, luxury features, and safety that rivals established brands at a far lower cost. Its design and cabin quality are mature, its technology is abundant, and its powertrain is both potent and efficient.

Where it still trails the best from Europe is in dynamic polish and brand cachet. The steering could be sharper, the ride more sophisticated at low speeds, and the user interface more intuitive. But taken as a whole, the OMODA 9 feels like a confident statement that Chinese-engineered vehicles are now playing in the same league — and sometimes even ahead — of their traditional rivals.

For buyers seeking a spacious, luxurious, safe, and remarkably efficient SUV that can genuinely function as an electric car for everyday use, the OMODA 9 represents one of the most compelling new choices in 2025

Increase the practicality of the Omoda 9 by fitting one of our towbars.  Order your Omoda 9 towbar today!