OMODA E5 review: Could this be one of the best value electric SUVs on the market?

Join us as we take a closer look at the OMODA E5, the electric SUV that wants to rewrite the rules on value

OMODA is relatively new to the UK. But their impact? Huge.

And the E5 is no exception.

The OMODA E5 arrives as part of a wave of Chinese manufacturers making their presence felt on British roads, and it brings serious tech, serious space and a seriously competitive price tag.

But can it stand up against legacy brands with loyal customer bases and years of trust behind them?

Let's find out.

What we drove:

Model: OMODA E5 Noble

Power: 155kW (211PS)

Battery: 61kWh

Range: Up to 267 miles (WLTP Comb)

Acceleration: 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds

Colour: Selenite White with Obsidian Black roof

OTR: From £33,065

Specifications correct at the time of publication

All bite no grille

There's no arguing that the OMODA E5 is one attractive package.

Smooth, clean and uncluttered lines run throughout. It’s modern, purposeful and with a fastback-style silhouette that gives it more visual drama than your typical boxy SUV. The charging port is even seamlessly integrated into the front end, hidden neatly beneath the badge.

Now, if you're familiar with OMODA's lineup, you'll know their signature diamond-shaped grille.

It's bold, it's distinctive and it's become part of the brand's identity.

But as EVs don't need a grille, the E5 does without it — and while the cleaner front end suits the electric brief, it's hard not to miss that familiar face.

We had the E5 in Selenite White with an Obsidian Black roof. That sharp two-tone contrast suited the E5's character perfectly. Plus, the 18-inch alloys and low 0.3 drag coefficient show just how thought-through and purposeful the design is.

Bold enough to turn heads. Understated enough not to try too hard.

At this price point, it looks considerably more expensive than it is.

A cockpit with ambition

Step inside, and you're met with twin curved 12.3-inch screens dominating the dashboard. It's an impressive first impression.

There aren't many physical buttons — almost everything is found within the infotainment screens. And while the system looks the part, things aren't always as intuitive as they could be.

Our Social Media Executive Tori managed to put the car in neutral when trying to figure out how to turn the wipers on in the rain.

Not exactly ideal.

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come as standard, plus a 50W cooled wireless phone charger means all your tech is sorted. Soft-touch plastics, metal-effect finishes and faux-leather surfaces throughout leave a more premium feel than the price tag might suggest.

On the Noble trim, you get a Sony eight-speaker audio system, 360-degree surround view camera, powered sunroof and a PM0.3 air purification system.

It’s a seriously generous kit list for the money.

In the back, head and legroom is on the tight side, and things get especially cosy with three passengers across the rear bench. Storage is good up front though, with large door bins, three cupholders and a large central cubby. And in the boot, you've got 380 litres of space.

This is less than rivals like the Kia EV3 at 460 litres, but more than the Volvo EX30 at 318 litres.

More than just a pretty face

Put your foot down and the OMODA E5 is as smooth as butter.

With 211PS and 288Nm of instant torque on tap, the power we know and love from an EV is most certainly reporting for duty. It'll get from 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds — brisk enough for everyday driving and more than capable of slipping into the flow of traffic.

Around town it's particularly impressive.

Smooth, refined and effortless; exactly what you want from a daily electric driver. The brakes are smooth and progressive too, which is a genuine positive in a class where grabby regenerative braking can catch you off guard.

It handles corners reasonably well, with body lean kept nicely in check. The steering is light though, and doesn't add much weight (even in Sport mode).

The ride is on the firm side.

You'll feel most lumps and bumps, and those extra bumpy roads? They’ll jostle passengers around more than you'd like. Wind and road noise also become more noticeable at higher speeds, which isn’t major, but worth knowing.

How far can it go?

The OMODA E5 is powered by a 61kWh blade cell battery — a design that not only improves crash safety but ensures 99% of the battery is usable all the time. In practice, that means you're genuinely getting the range you're promised.

And that range? Up to 267 miles (WLTP Comb).

Not bad at all for a car at this price point.

Charging is straightforward too. Plug into a fast DC charger and you'll go from 30-80% in just 28 minutes. That’s enough time for a coffee and a scroll.

At home via a 7kW wallbox, a full charge takes around ten hours, or eight hours with an 11kW charger.

Most owners will simply top up overnight and wake up to a full battery.

Job done.

What's good, and what's not

The OMODA E5 looks and feels the part, but it does have some flaws:

The good bits:

• 99% of battery usable at all times — you get the range you're promised
• Smooth, refined drive — particularly impressive around town
• Twin curved 12.3-inch screens — sharp, bright and impressive
• Premium feeling interior — soft-touch plastics, metal-effect finishes and faux-leather throughout
• Noble trim is seriously well specced — Sony audio, 360-degree camera, powered sunroof, air purification

The not-so-good bits:

• Lack of buttons and controls aren’t intuitive
• Firm ride — feels most lumps and bumps
• Steering lacks weight and feedback — especially in corners
• Rear headroom and legroom tight for taller passengers

What's the verdict?

The OMODA E5 makes a genuinely compelling case for itself.

It's not perfect. The firm ride, fiddly infotainment and tight rear space are real niggles. But the range, the kit list and the value on offer are hard to argue with.

Add a seven-year warranty and a five-star Euro NCAP rating into the mix, and OMODA have put together a seriously strong opening statement for a brand that's only just getting started in the UK.

Top five reasons to lease the OMODA E5:

1. Up to 267 miles of range (WLTP Comb) at a seriously competitive price point
2. Noble trim is exceptionally well specced for the money
3. Fast DC charging — 30-80% in just 28 minutes
4. Five-star Euro NCAP rating and seven-year warranty for total peace of mind
5. Bold, distinctive design that looks far more expensive than it is

Would we recommend leasing an OMODA E5?

Absolutely. The OMODA E5 is ideal for anyone making the switch to electric who wants maximum value without compromising on kit or range.

The Noble trim is the one to go for — the extra spec is well worth it.