2026 Omoda 9 Australia – Chery’s Premium PHEV SUV That’s boldly Challenge the Big Names
“Full 2026 Omoda 9 Australia review: Find Chery’s luxury plug-in hybrid SUV with premium interior, massive electric range, and aggressive performance. Compare it to competitors such as Mazda CX-60 PHEV, BYD Sealion 6, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and Toyota RAV4 Prime.”
Australia has long been an SUV battleground. We adore them for school runs, we rely on them for road trips, and we scrutinize them—hard—on comfort, ability, and price. Into this battle-hardened fray steps something out of left field: the 2026 Omoda 9, the debut luxury plug-in hybrid SUV from Chery’s premium brand, Omoda.
This is not a car launch; it’s a declaration of intent. Chery wants Australians to realize that Chinese car manufacturers are not just catching up – they are leapfrogging in the spaces that concern buyers the most: technology, performance, and value. And if the Omoda 9 achieves what it sets out to do, competitors such as Mazda, Toyota, BYD, and Mitsubishi may need to change their strategies.
From Budget Beginnings to Premium Ambitions – The Omoda Story
When Chery first landed in Australia back in the late 2000s, it was all about value. The vehicles were inexpensive, cheerful, and no-frills—more about reaching from A to B than savoring the experience. Australians were friendly but reserved; concerns over reliability and quality kept potential buyers at arm’s length.
But here’s the twist: Chery didn’t pull out and disappear from the stage. Rather, they fell silent, poured billions into R&D, tied up with international engineering companies, and recruited design staff from large European brands. The outcome is Omoda, a sub-brand with upscale ambitions—contemporary styling, upscale interiors, and performance to match established rivals.
The Omoda 9 is their flagship, and its debut in Australia is Chery saying: We’re not here to play catch-up anymore.
Interior – Where Luxury Meets Tech
Step into the Omoda 9 and you’ll see the difference. Those days of tough plastics and minimalist trim are behind it. Instead, leather trim coils around sculpted, multi-adjustable seats that are heated and ventilated. The stitching is tight and crisp, the surfaces haptic, and each button has a nice click.
Twin 12.3-inch high-definition screens span the dashboard—one for a driver’s information cluster, the other for infotainment. They’re sharp, bright, and responsive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
A Sony premium sound system blasts rich, immersive audio, and a fragrance diffuser quietly scents the cabin. The panoramic sunroof fills the cabin with light, and the adaptive ambient lighting allows you to shift the cabin mood at your whim. This is the sort of cabin you’d find in a BMW X3 or Lexus NX—not a brand that used to sell budget-basement hatchbacks.
Performance – More Than Just Numbers
The Omoda 9 is not afraid to perform. Its 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine collaborates with three electric motors and a 34 kWh battery pack to deliver a combined output of approximately 395 kW—numbers that would leave most sports cars blushing.
That capability translates to a 0–100 km/h dash in only 4.9 seconds, which, for a mid-size SUV, is cheeky as heck. And yet, the Omoda 9 is not simply a line-straight bruiser. Its adaptive air suspension rides over bumps and maintains a civilized ride, while the AWD system provides surefooted grip in all situations—be it rainy city streets or twisty coastal roads.
And then there’s the range. With up to ~169 km of pure electric driving, this PHEV raises the bar in its class. That’s enough for most Aussies to get to and from work all week without consuming a drop of petrol.
Safety – Designed for Aussie Roads and Families
Safety technology’s not a nicety in Australia—it’s a necessity. The Omoda 9 is fully equipped with a package of cutting-edge driver assistance technologies (ADAS), including:
Autonomous Emergency Braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection
Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go function
Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning
Blind Spot Monitoring
360-degree parking camera for accuracy
Rear Cross Traffic Alert when reversing out of tight spaces
Throw in a rigid body structure and multiple airbags, and the Omoda 9 is aiming for a 5-star ANCAP safety rating from launch.
Real-World Capability
While the Omoda 9 is aimed at the luxury SUV segment, it hasn’t lost view of practicality. Its AWD system is not just marketing gibberish—it can handle light off-road trails, gravel roads, and slippery surfaces with aplomb.
Space in the boot is plenty for family vacations or camping equipment, and the rapid DC charging ability (30–80% in around 25 minutes) means extended road trips are much easier. Towing capacity ratings haven’t been finalized yet, but rumors so far indicate it’ll be equal to or better than other midsize PHEVs, so it’ll be perfect for towing small boats, jet skis, or a small caravan.
Pricing and Availability in Australia
The 2026 Omoda 9 Virtue launches at A$61,990 before on-road costs. For that, you’re getting a fully loaded PHEV with performance that rivals some luxury marques, an interior to match, and a battery range that outshines most competitors.
It’s set to arrive in August 2025, sold through Omoda-Jaecoo’s dedicated Australian dealer network.
Rivals and Competitors – How the Omoda 9 Stacks Up
The Omoda 9 isn’t stepping into a vacuum. Here’s the competition it’s measuring up against in Australia:
Mazda CX-60 PHEV – Sleek, strong, and priced at about $72K+, but with a shorter EV range (~76 km).
BYD Sealion 6 (previously known as Song Plus EV) – Solid EV credentials and aggressive pricing, but not quite as premium inside.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – Established, family-oriented, and strong, but its slower and with less luxurytuch.
Toyota RAV4 Prime (if available in AU) – Legendary reliability and fuel efficiency, but restricted availability may turn it into a unicorn here.
Kia Sorento PHEV – Roomy and feature-laden, but pricier and with a smaller battery.
And then there are these against which the Omoda 9 has virtues rich: it delivers much greater EV-only range, more combined power output, and a cabin that’s at least as upscale as any of them—while beating several on price.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Luxury interior finish and specification
Industry-leading EV-only range for a PHEV
Sports-car-like acceleration
Safety technology comprehensive package
Competitively priced at launch
Cons:
Brand yet to establish reputation in Australia
Restricted variant availability at launch
Long-term resale values unknown
Final Verdict – Should You Take the Leap?
2026 Omoda 9 is proof that Chery’s makeover is genuine. It’s quick, comfortable, plush, and saving—a holy trinity in the mid-size SUV class. If Aussies are ready to look past the badge, this could be one of the intelligent 2026 purchases.
The established competition continues to have its die-hard followings, but if the Omoda 9 is reliable, it may be the SUV that makes the rest of the market redefine what “value” is all about.
FAQs – 2026 Omoda 9 in Australia
Q: How much is the 2026 Omoda 9 in Australia?
A: The launch price is A$61,990 plus on-road costs for the fully loaded Virtue variant.
Q: How far can the Omoda 9 travel on electricity only?
A: Up to ~169 km on electric power, the longest EV range in its segment for a PHEV SUV in Australia.
Q: Which vehicles does the Omoda 9 compete against?
A: Mazda CX-60, Mitsubishi Outlander , BYD Sealion 6, Kia Sorento PHEV, and the Toyota RAV4 Prime.
Q: When will the Omoda 9 go on sale in Australia 2025?
A: Due out in August 2025 as a 2026 model.
Q: How quick is the Omoda 9?
A: It accelerates from 0–100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds.
