By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
Last Thursday, all roads led to Cape Town for the launch of OMODA’s flagship SUV, the C9. The event’s invitation specified a ‘black tie’ dress code, an unusual request in motoring journalism, where tuxedos are typically reserved for the annual SA Car of the Year gala dinner. Upon arriving at Cape Town International Airport, the mood was festive, with most conversations shifting from the car itself to the question, “What are you wearing tonight?”.
First look
I must confess, I’m an OMODA fan. I’ve tested the stylish C5 twice and loved it both times. Not even the numerous beeping alerts or the movie-like surround cameras could put me off the C5. That’s how much I bought into the OMODA experience. So, seeing the larger and more refined C9, with its sleek hidden door handles, felt like I was in OMODA heaven. Unlike the C5, the C9’s diamond-shaped grille is more understated, signalling that it’s now competing in the big leagues. I paired up with a friendly man named David, and we chose our car – in some shade of grey.
The Chinese have taken their time with this one, clearly aiming to challenge the established players from the West. The key selling points are innovation, design, and sophistication, which are evident the moment you step inside. The interior is a luxurious blend of comfort, featuring Nappa leather seats in the all-wheel drive, electronic seat controls on the doors, and heated front and rear seats.
Technology
I understand that the car comes packed with technology. As a recovering technophobe, I played around with a few buttons while my co-driver figured out how to get us out of the parking lot and onto the road. I appreciated that although the interior design is minimalistic, it doesn’t feel like they blew the budget before adding buttons here and there.
There’s a nice balance, and everything seems well thought out. For some reason, I wasn’t brave enough to try the intelligent voice command and ask the car to do things for me. However, I saw it demonstrated by one of the fleet management team when, after 75% of the drive, we decided to pair our phones and play some music to test the powerful Sony speakers.
The drive
The drive took us through some of Cape Town’s most scenic routes, passing Muizenberg, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, and the stunning Camps Bay, finishing in the city centre. As expected, the car handles well, absorbing bumps with ease. While it can feel a bit sluggish at take-off, it quickly picks up speed and can even become quite eager. If you’re not careful, speeding fines could pile up quickly! For your safety and that of your passengers, the car comes equipped with advanced safety features like lane-keeping assist, which gently corrects you, and blind spot detection. Thankfully, we didn’t need to test the automatic emergency braking, but it was reassuring to know it was there.
In the evening, dressed up and transported to the gala event in Tokai, I had the chance to sit in the back. I was impressed by how spacious it was. I could easily picture executives or even pioneering heads of state being chauffeured in the C9. I also appreciated the generous boot space, which could easily fit two large suitcases. Who knows, in a few years, Hollywood’s stylish moms might opt for the OMODA as a more affordable yet spacious alternative, especially with room for luxury prams.
