It’s an intriguing thing to drive, and a big improvement on the disappointing Jaecoo 7 sister car – perhaps unsurprisingly, as the 9 sits on a different platform. And because it’s all-wheel drive (unlike the Jaecoo), with the front wheels powered by both petrol and electric motor and the rear wheels powered by electric only, the Omoda 9 feels confident and neutral even if you apply all 443bhp and 516lb ft in one go, to experience the full 4.9 second 0-62mph sprint.
This version of Chery’s SHS plug-in hybrid powertrain also gets a different transmission; a three-speed, multi-clutch, dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). This means that the 1.5-litre, turbochatrged petrol engine can drive the wheels directly when full performance is required, but it is more often decoupled and dormant or functioning purely as a generator to charge the 34.46kWh LFP battery (which is sourced from CATL) – leaving the wheels to be driven by one- or both of the electric motors.
It also retains at least 20% of its battery power when it kicks you out of pure electric mode, so that when the engine starts running, the powertrain functions like a Toyota-style full hybrid and will still use the battery to boost fuel efficiency.
And with a 93-mile claimed electric range and 70kW rapid charging, you probably won’t need to bother the petrol engine very often at all, anyway.
Most of the time, the Omoda 9’s SHS plug-in hybrid system is either in pure EV mode, or is working like a range extender, meaning that it drives like a pure electric car. It’s a pretty seamless build of acceleration; quiet, yet muscular and easy to modulate, and you don’t notice the gearbox doing its thing even if you go for a sharp burst of acceleration. There’s also very little shunt or hesitation as it switches between full EV or its hybrid modes, too – even when the petrol engine does start to power the wheels directly. It’s refined, too; the petrol engine isn’t intrusive in terms of the noise, other than an annoying background hum when it’s charging the battery. There is noticeable wind and tyre noise on the move, but nothing too bothersome, and the Omoda 9 is all very smooth and calming. It’s not a powertrain that you’re going to relish using, by any stretch, but it is unintrusive, clever and perfectly fit for purpose.