The Northern Territory news Fri 24 Mar 2023
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2023-03-24
English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin.; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin.
News Corp Australia
Darwin
application/pdf
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/908379
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/908560
NTNEWS.COM.AU Friday March 24 2023 MOTORING 41 V2 - NTNE01Z01MA Cherys second bite at Australia has a different flavour. Previously known for basic machines with rock-bottom prices, the brand hopes to attract cashed-up customers with eye-catching looks and generous equipment lists. The new Chery Omoda 5 is a world away from the stripped-out hatchbacks once offered by the brand for $9990 drive-away. Priced from about $32,000 drive-away in standard trim, or about $36,000 drive-away as the high-grade Omoda 5 EX shown here, the new machine isnt particularly cheap. Its dearer than Chinese rivals such as the Haval Jolion or MG ZST and costs more than a Hyundai Kona Elite, Kia Seltos Sport or Mitsubishi ASX GSR. But those models cant match the kerbside appeal of the Chery. Bold styling cues include a textured grille similar to the Hyundai Tucson, swoopy taillamps that take after Lexus crossovers and red highlights that wouldnt look out of place on a Hot Wheels toy. Nifty LED lights and branded puddle lamps make drivers feel welcome, as does a cabin with twin 10.25-inch displays, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and a prominent smartphone charging pad similar to what youll find in a Tesla. Theres plenty of space in the front and rear, though the boot is smaller than expected. A squishy seat with flat bolsters and limited adjustment might not be the best bet for long drives and we werent enamoured by an odd wide-angle effect presented by the interior rear-view mirror. Voice assistance tech allows you to activate features by saying phrases like Hey Chery, open the sunroof and ambient lighting pulses with music from a Bose-branded stereo stuff you wont see in a basic Hyundai or Kia. Chery matches Kias seven-year, unlimited warranty, which instils confidence. But we werent impressed by elements of its build quality inconsistent panel gaps, a creaky dash, loose threads in the upholstery and disconcertingly wavy sheet metal on the roof suggest the manufacturers attention to detail is less than exacting. That suspicion is reinforced by chaotic driver assistance features in dire need of refinement. The Chery has a five-star safety rating underpinned by seven airbags and a laundry list of electronic aids such as automatic emergency braking. But their inclusion feels like a box-ticking exercise rather than a genuine attempt to assist drivers. Ragged intervention from the lane keeping assistance feature is disconcertingly jarring and an utterly misguided driver monitoring system warns that youre no longer fit for driving when safely cruising in your lane on straight highways. A similarly wayward speed-sign recognition feature occasionally displays the wrong limit while driving, often mistaking streetside objects for road signs and erroneously displaying them on the dashboard. You can turn the systems off but need to do so every time you start the car. In short, the Chery might get five stars for having all the latest safety features but their integration and calibration represents a onestar effort. Theres better news under the bonnet, where a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine delivers fuss-free progress. The motor sends 108kW and 210Nm to the front wheels through a CVT automatic with nine stepped ratios a smoother solution than dual-clutch F I R S T D R I V E HEAD TURNER This Chinese brand has returned to the local market with a different approach DAVID McCOWEN transmissions in some rivals. Its an easy motor to get on with, though 6.9L/100km claimed fuel economy runs closer to double figures in real-world running. Soft suspension delivers a reasonably comfortable ride on the road, though excessive body roll and a floaty sensation at speed relegate it toward the bottom of the class for driving joy. Spongy brakes sap confidence and Giti tyres lack purchase in slippery conditions, not helped by numb and oddly-weighted steering that returns an approximate facsimile of what might be happening at the road surface. The suspension action is noisier than it should be and theres more wind and tyre roar than you should expect from a new car. VERDICT Eye-catching looks and impressive features are undermined by a higher-than-expected price, subpar quality and a poorly calibrated driving experience. hhjjj About $36,000 drive-away AT A GLANCE 7-yr/ultd km, about $2100 for 7 yrs 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo, 108kW and 210Nm 6.9L/100km Space saver 360 litres CHERY OMODA 5 EX 7 airbags, auto emergency braking, active cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear crosstraffic alert