Omoda E5 gains bigger screen and massaging seats
Words: Kyle Cassidy
Chery has given its electric E5 SUV a technology and comfort upgrade for the 2027 model year, with the revised vehicle making its public debut at Everything Electric Sydney.
The E5 is sold in New Zealand under the Omoda brand, although local availability and timing for the updated model have yet to be confirmed.
The most obvious change is found inside, where the existing 12.3-inch infotainment display makes way for a substantially larger 15.6-inch touchscreen.
Chery has also upgraded the front seats. The driver gains ventilation, a massage function and four-way adjustable lumbar support, while the passenger seat moves from four-way to six-way electric adjustment and also adds ventilation.
Other MY27 additions include an electrically operated charging-port cover, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and an active grille shutter. The latter can close when cooling airflow isn’t required, helping to reduce aerodynamic drag and potentially improving efficiency.
The electric powertrain is unchanged. A single motor sends 155kW and 288Nm to the front wheels, while the claimed driving range remains up to 430km on the WLTP cycle.
Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats with synthetic leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, alongside the Hello Chery voice assistant and an eight-speaker audio system.
The E5 also carries Chery’s collection of active driver-assistance technology, although the company hasn’t announced any changes to the safety package as part of the update.
New Zealand has offered the Omoda E5 since 2024, when it arrived as one of the more affordable electric SUVs in its category. The current local range includes the BX and EX grades, with both sharing the same 61kWh battery and front-wheel-drive powertrain.
The model was recalled locally in August over an issue that could leave its low-speed pedestrian warning system inactive. A software update was required to restore the warning sound.
