Blasting onto South African shores with 440 kW and 915 N.m, the C9 PHEV spearheads Omoda’s local new-energy vehicle offensive. We sample the new C9 flagship in Gauteng. First impressions here…
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Fast Facts: Omoda C9 PHEV
- Price: R999 000
- Powertrain: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol + electric motors
- Transmission: 3-speed DHT
- Driven wheels: 4
- Power: 440 kW
- Torque: 915 N.m
- Top speed: n/a
- 0-100 km/h: 4.9 seconds*
- Fuel consumption: 1.4 L/100 km
- CO2 emissions: n/a
*Claimed figures
What are we driving?
Launched alongside the Jaecoo J7 SHS (Super Hybrid System), which we sampled before its official South African launch, we are driving the Omoda C9 PHEV. Positioned as the new flagship in Omoda SA’s C9 lineup, the PHEV derivative spearheads the Chinese marque’s new-energy vehicle (NEV) offensive. The C9 PHEV (or SHS, the namesake that will replace ‘PHEV’ to align with the plug-in hybrid Jaecoo’s) employs a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbopetrol engine and a quartet of electric motors. The PHEV arrangement produces a total system output of 440 kW and 915 N.m. Delivered to all four corners via a 3-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), the automaker says these figures allow the C9 PHEV to complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds.
Omoda claims an average fuel consumption of 1.4 L/100 km when the battery is replenished and a still-impressive 6.9 L/100 km when the 34.5 kWh item is discharged. Capable of accepting up to 70 kW at a DC fast charging station, the firm says a 30 to 80% DC charge takes between 20 and 25 minutes. Noteworthy, the PHEV setup offers claimed electric-only driving of up to 150 km and a combined operating range of 1 100 km.
Related: Review: Jaecoo J7 SHS (PHEV)
Exclusively available in top-tier, Explore level of specification, the C9 PHEV is generously equipped as standard. The package includes such items as (deep breath) 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and touchscreen infotainment, the latter incorporating Apple CarPlay/Android Auto screen mirroring; 50 W wireless smartphone charging; a 12-speaker Sony sound system; dual-zone climate control with rear air-con; electrically adjustable heated/ventilated front pews; heated rear seats, replete with reclining function, and multifunction steering wheel; a surround-view camera array supplemented by fore and aft park distance sensors; and a panoramic sunroof.
Safety items include seven airbags, Isofix child-seat anchorages and a bouquet of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The latter includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-change assist and automatic emergency braking, among other features. The cabin is spacious, with fore and aft occupants afforded plenty of head- and kneeroom. Omoda claims a luggage capacity of 660 litres, which expands to 1 783 litres when folding down the rear seatbacks. However, it is worth mentioning that the 2.0TGDI 400T AWD derivative, which has the same claimed boot/utility capacity, swallowed 328/1 068 litres worth of our ISO blocks when evaluated for our December 2024 road test.
What are the Omoda C9 PHEV’s rivals?
The new-energy C9’s PHEV rivals come in the shape of the (SA-built) BMW X3 30e xDrive, which we sampled at the local launch in 2025, and Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge, priced from R1 260 000 and R1 314 000, respectively. As a reminder, the plug-in hybrid X3’s petrol-electric powertrain comprises a 140 kW/310 N.m 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbopetrol and 135 kW/250 N.m electric motor for a combined system output of 220 kW and 450 N.m. The X3 30e’s average fuel consumption and electric-only operating range are a claimed 1.1 L/100 km and 90 km. BMW quotes a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6.2 seconds and 215 km/h top speed for its new-generation new-energy X3.
Related: Review: BMW X3 30e xDrive
The Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge’s 233 kW/400 N.m 2.0-litre, four-cylinder super- and turbocharged petrol internal combustion engine (ICE) is assisted by a 107 kW/309 N.m electric motor. The Gothenburg-based brand’s midsize plug-in hybrid SUV produces peak power and torque outputs of 340 kW and 709 N.m for a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds, making it one-tenth of a second quicker to the three-figure marker than the car driven here, and 180 km/h top speed.
What is the Omoda C9 PHEV like to drive?
Stepping inside (via standard-fitment keyless entry), the C9 PHEV’s Nappa leather-upholstered cabin is a comfortable place to be sitting. Perceived interior build quality is good and contributes to the Omoda’s impressive levels of NVH suppression. The C9 PHEV is a comfortable drive, with its suspension setup soaking up most road imperfections with aplomb. The steering is generally direct. However, the calibration of the setup would benefit from more weight as it feels a touch too light and void of feedback at low-speed manoeuvring and when pushing on.
Noteworthy, the C9 PHEV doesn’t seem to suffer from the throttle calibration issues we’ve previously experienced in several other Chinese vehicles (likely courtesy of the reliance on electrification). The drivetrain delivers power to all four corners in a smooth fashion. A brief stop at Gerotek allowed us to test this C9’s straight-line performance. Admittedly, this is not what the C9 PHEV was built for. Yet, considering its performance SUV-matching outputs and claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time, we were keen to test just how it performs in the acceleration stakes.
Related: Review: Omoda C9 AWD Explore
The powertrain exhibited some latency off the line and, as impressive as the C9 PHEV’s outputs are on paper, it curiously didn’t quite feel like there’s 440 kW/915 N.m on hand. However, the Omoda is plenty quick and overtaking on the motorway is fuss-free.
Verdict
Featuring a solidly constructed, capacious and tech-laden cabin, easy-to-drive characteristics, road-holding manners and admirable fuel economy, the C9 PHEV ticks a lot of boxes. Though from first impressions, it doesn’t feel as powerful as the outputs on its spec sheet would suggest. However, that’s not what it was built for; it was made to offer the driver and occupants an exceptionally comfortable driving experience. And the Omoda majors in this.
