We recently tested the sporty looking (and limited release) GT derivative of the Omoda C5 compact family car. The GT makes quite a statement, thanks to its bold styling pack and punchy powertrain, but does it offer enough over and above extra visual appeal?
We like: Styling, level of tech and safety features, strong engine, fuel economy.
We don’t like: Stiff ride quality, intrusive safety tech, erratic throttle mapping.
FAST FACTS
- Model: Omoda C5 1.6TGDI 290T GT
- Price: R589 900 (March 2024)
- Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol
- Power/Torque: 145 kW/290 Nm
- Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
- 0-100 kph: 8.44 sec (tested)
- Fuel consumption: 6.8 L/100 km (claimed)
- Utility space: 378-1 075 litres
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Where does the C5 GT fit in?
The 1.6TGDI 290T GT sits atop the Omoda C5 range. It feaures a more powerful engine (a 1.6-litre-, as opposed to 1.5-litre, turbopetrol motor) and sporty add-ons, such as a rear spolier and rose gold-tinted accents. Chery SA says it made only 77 units of the Omoda C5 GT available and they’re all spoken for, but we wouldn’t be surprised if more stock arrived (and turned up on our listings page) at some point.
Compared with its sister brand Chery, Omoda is trendier, slightly more upmarket and aimed at younger buyers. The C5 shares is underpinnings and most mechanicals components with the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, which was a finalist in the 2023/24 #CarsAwards. If you have almost R600k to spend and desire a stylish (boutique) small crossover, you’d be forgiven for being daunted by the plethora of models in the market.
Conservative buyers tend to “take the legacy route” (prefer offerings from long-established brands). They should consider the Opel Mokka, Kia Seltos GT-Line, Mazda CX-30, Volkswagen T-Roc and Ford Puma, but don’t forget the Haval H6 GT – a luxurious family car that also falls into this price bracket.
Compare Omoda C5 GT with its rival Volkswagen T-Roc and Kia Seltos derivatives
Compare Omoda C5 GT with its rival Mazda CX-30 and Opel Mokka derivatives
How the Omoda C5 GT fares in terms of…
Design and Packaging
The C5 (standard versions are designated 1.5T 230T) is distinctively styled, which we appreciate, seeing as car designs have become quite samey in the quest to satisfy aerodynamic- and safety requirements.
Compared with its brethren, the Omoda C5 GT takes things up a notch with various rose-gold accents, orange brake callipers and GT badges. Unfortunately, the quality of the GT badges on our test unit was poor – it looked as if they’d been damaged – but we were told those on customers’ cars look far better.
When you climb inside the Omoda C5 GT, you’re greeting by a plush and smart-looking cabin. The layout is not radically different to that of lesser C5 derivatives, but the sporty-looking front seats (replete with contrast stitching that echoed the smattering of glossy rose-gold interior inserts) did stand out nicely.
As in most small crossovers, rear legroom is tight, but adults of average height should be able to contend with short trips when seated at the back, where the sunroof helps to alleviate that “hemmed-in feeling”.
Performance and Efficiency
Given its traditionally sporty “GT” designation and loftier peak engine outputs (145 kW and 290 Nm), it’s not unreasonable to expect that the 1.6T 290T will deliver superior performance to its 1.5T 230T siblings. The 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine has been transplanted from the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max and it drives the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The claimed 0-100 kph time is 7.8 sec.
However, when we performed a full-bore acceleration run with the Omoda C5 GT on our regular test strip (we had engaged its sportiest drive mode beforehand), we couldn’t achieve a better 0-100 kph time than 8.44 sec (according to our test equipment), which was disappointing. There’s no launch control function (we certainly looked for it) and, despite trying various techniques, the car’s mapping insisted on sending a wad of torque to the front wheels promptly, which resulted in wheelspin and, obviously, a slower time.
Thankfully, a car’s performance is not measured exclusively by its 0-100 kph time… It’s arguably more important for a powertrain to offer accessible performance; ideally, it should be able to deliver short, sharp bursts of acceleration, such as when you need to take a gap in, or overtake, traffic in a hurry.
In that respect, the GT nails it. Irrespective of which drive mode (Normal, Sport or Eco) you’ve engaged, the Omoda C5 GT will thrust forward eagerly when required. We do wish the 1.6T 290T came fitted with steering wheel-mounted ‘shift paddles; not only would they add driver involvement, they’d befit a GT.
In the recent past, several models that Chinese brands have introduced in the local market have returned higher-than-expected fuel consumption figures. Granted, most manufacturers’ fuel efficiency claims are optimistic and don’t bear out in real-world conditions, but still, we’ve encountered notable discrepancies.
But that was not the case here. The Omoda C5 GT, which is said to consume 6.9 L/100 km, managed 9.1 L/100 km during its test period, which we think is reasonable, given how spiritedly we drove the test unit.
As a driver’s car (to use the term loosely), the 1.6T 290T GT is undermined by a throttle mapping that is too sensitive – even to very minor accelerator pedal inputs. It’s usually a case of too much, too soon.
Even when a driver applied a mild level of pressure with their right foot to make the Omoda C5 pull away from a standstill, the test unit tended to surge forward abruptly. A smooth wave of acceleration required the gentlest of touches, so it’s likely that customers will need time to get used to the GT’s eagerness.
Then, once it’s in motion, the vehicle can hesitate to accelerate… When you then apply more pressure on the right pedal, it suddenly produces a burst of thrust. There needs to be a happy middle ground!
Ride and Handling
By small crossover standards, the Omoda C5 GT’s ride quality proved to be on the firm side of pliant. Even though its alloy wheels were wrapped in plump tyres, the GT struggled on poor-quality surfaces; its ride wouldn’t settle on any road other than a freeway. It was particularly fidgety on those urban roads that have tree roots under them (rear passengers even remarked how stiffly sprung the Omoda felt).
What’s more, when its default drive mode was active, the test unit’s steering felt uncomfortably vague and light – on the open road, the tiller seemed to require constant adjustments. Fortunately, the steering setup can be customised… If you select Sport, the ‘wheel gains some artificial weighting and resistance, making it far easier/more pleasant to steer the car. We assume the light steering setup is meant to make it easier to navigate urban driving conditions – and a quick parallel parking test in the city confirmed this.
Comfort and Features
One of the key reasons that Chinese brands have made such major inroads into the South African new-vehicle market, is sheer value for money. At their respective price points in the small crossover and family car (medium SUV) segments, the firms’ models offer myriad standard comfort, tech and safety features.
A glance at the Omoda C5 GT’s spec sheet shows seat heating is the only obvious omission… It’s odd, because the faux leather sports seats feature ventilation, which is a treat on searing hot summer days.
The derivative’s list of safety features is impressively comprehensive, with features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot detection and lane-keeping assist, BUT adaptive cruise control as well!
When you activate all of the above, the Omoda C5 GT will stay in its lane and maintain a healthy gap to cars ahead of it, which is great when you’ve had a tiring work day and just want to relax on the trip home.
It’s not perfect, though – Omoda has a few issues to rectify. First, we couldn’t find a way to deactivate the start/stop function. We get why it’s there, but every time the vehicle restarted, it would deactivate the audio system! Also, the C5 GT has a warning chime for everything. Car starting: Ding. Car warming up to temperature: Ding. Car warmed up: Ding. Seatbelt: Ding. ACC active: Ding. You get the picture.
It all gets a bit much from a sensory point of view. Because the warning chimes sound the same, when you hear an electronic Ding! you don’t know whether it’s a simple notification or a serious alarm. Also, please can the infotainment system’s diction be refined? The wording of some of the text is clumsy.
Now that we have listed our criticisms of the electronic system, it’s only fair to mention some of its most outstanding features. The Voice Control is one of the best we’ve experienced; you can activate a number of features using the “Hey Omoda” oral prompt; Android Auto/Apple CarPlay is standard and a multitude of USB ports are dotted around the cabin. There’s even a slot in the rear-view mirror for a dashcam.
The large wireless charging pad (below the fascia) is easy to access, but we’d prefer one that would hide your device/s from prying eyes. A surround-view camera system, fore and aft parking- and tyre pressure sensors, LED headlamps, an 8-speaker Sony audio system and an ambient lighting system are fitted too.
Omoda C5 GT price and After-sales support
The Omoda C5 1.6T 209T GT retailed for R589 990. The vehicle was sold with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty, a 5-year/70 000 km service plan and a first-owner-only 10-year/1 million km engine warranty.
Watch Ashley Oldfield’s previous video review of the Omoda C5:
Verdict
While most of the models that Chinese brands, not least Chery, have launched in Mzansi recently have exceeded expectations, the GT derivative of the Omoda C5 does not hit the mark. At this price point –given its claimed performance, but uneven driving experience – the “flagship” C5 needs improvement.
An plethora of features and surfeit style are not more important that getting the basics right. A remap of the throttle response, a softening of the rear suspension and a rejig of the in-car user experience would make the Omoda C6 1.6T 290T GT, or rather subsequent releases of the derivative, more accomplished.
In Omoda’s defence, it is still early days for the brand in our market and, given its rapid product turnover, you can be certain that development of a model-year update or facelift is already well underway. At the price, the GT doesn’t offer appreciably more than a standard C5 so, for now, shop around a bit more.
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