Twice smitten, My encounters with the Omoda C5 GT

BY Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe

It’s hard to believe that the OMODA brand, particularly the C5, has been gracing our South African streets with its fabulousness for a year. Judging by the interest and necks that continue to crane whenever it makes an appearance at the service station or a shopping mall, the interest is not waning anytime soon.

And, it seems like South Africans have been voting with their wallets in droves – if the numbers of OMODAs zipping by and confusing the enemy are anything to go by. By now, you can tell that I’m somewhat a fan of the Chinese auto brand that promises to deliver the future in real time.

Last year, shortly after my return to the motoring fraternity from a long hiatus, I had the C5 on test for a week. Naturally, I was blown away by everything from the colour, the design, the interior layout, and many cameras. Everything, including the bells and whistles – or more like the never-ending beeps. I was sold. I bought it hook, line, and sinker. I found myself day-dreaming about some loot, perhaps the Lotto, that could ensure that I replace my skadonk with this shiny piece of metal. Over and above motoring, I suspect that it also appealed to my ego. I had not received so much attention in ages. Strangers at the shopping centre would stop to ask me questions, about the car. It was weird, yet so satisfying.

Fast forward to about seven months later. The OMODA C5 once again landed in my care. This time I was wiser, having driven several different cars and even occasionally having the gall to be indifferent at a new car priced over half a bar. I was ready for it. I was going to ask all the relevant questions and put it through its ‘paces’. I refused to be seduced. As soon as the shiny pitch-black OMODA C5 GT landed in my nondescript driveway, I struggled to keep my composure. It looked enchantingly beautiful and sporty. So, there’s nothing wrong with liking the look of the car, but the overall experience is what matters, I tried convincing myself.

The black colour continued to the interior with leather seats and the roof. While the seating was comfortable and well laid out, the dark interior felt heavy and made the cabin seem smaller. Instead of being in an SUV, it felt like I was inside a very small hatchback. I felt it could have benefited from a sunroof, to light up the interior. I still appreciated the floating touchscreen that expands across the dashboard and the 360-degree camera. However, around day 3 the incessant beeping sounds were slowly getting on my nerves. It could be that they were inducing my anxiety. The wireless charging pad was a hit with my connected miniature housemates. Each time they got in the car, they rushed to ‘charge’ their phones. Being of a certain generation, I ‘cautiously’ fiddled with the tech, albeit half-interested. You see, once I have figured out how to connect my Android phone and play around with the temperature, and cruise control when driving a long distance, those are sufficient. And, I can safely say they work very well.

Once again, the turning heads continued and at some point I found myself comparing notes with a stranger in a mall parking lot. Turns out he also owns the OMODA C5 but wanted to compare the interiors, especially with the sporty-looking C5 GT.