Omoda 7 SHS review: Family-style plug-in hybrid SUV targets fashion-conscious buyers with a 745-mile range

Priced from £32,000, the Omoda 7 is offering a lot of size, tech and electrification for its cost CarsElectric VehiclesOmoda 7 SHS review: Family-style plug-in hybrid SUV targets fashion-conscious buyers with a 745-mile rangePriced from £32,000, the Omoda 7 is offering a lot of size, tech and electrification for its cost Steve Fowler Electric vehicles editor Tuesday 03 March 2026 23:01 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoveropen image in galleryThe Omoda 7 is 4.66m long, making it 160mm longer than the Jaecoo 7 (Steve Fowler)Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreThe Omoda 7 sits in an interesting place within Chery’s growing UK lineup. It shares plenty with the Jaecoo 7 underneath, yet the positioning is very deliberate. Where Jaecoo leans into a more traditional SUV look – with more than a hint of Range Rover about it – Omoda is pushing a more futuristic, design-led identity. The company’s “drive a new future” tagline is apparently aimed at modern, trend-savvy, eco-minded buyers who want something that stands out in the supermarket car park rather than blends in.The Omoda 7 is 4.66m long, making it 160mm longer than the Jaecoo 7 – but the differentiation is more visual than dimensional. Up front there’s an X-shaped signature graphic that I completely missed, while the hexagonal detailing within the borderless grille is more of a standout statement. Crucially, though, Omoda hasn’t gone overboard with lighting theatrics. As Omoda designer Michael Duerr put it: “We don’t want a Las Vegas show.” That restraint is welcome; it’s modern without being gimmicky. Around the back, the zigzag lights and thick black surround around the rear window give it a distinctive look. Price is central to the pitch. Omoda quotes an average retail price of £41,410 for PHEVs in this sector. The Omoda 7 SHS Knight undercuts that massively at £32,000, while the better-equipped Noble I drove comes in at £35,000. There’s also a petrol-only version from £29,915, meaning the step up to the plug-in hybrid is £2,085. On paper, then, the Omoda 7 is offering a lot of size, tech and electrification for the money.RecommendedBest plug-in hybrid cars 2026: the top PHEVs to buy in the UKPlug-in hybrid challenge: four countries, three Christmas markets, over 650 miles, one tank of fuelChery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid review – seven-seat plug-in hybrid promises 750 miles of rangeAre plug-in hybrids spelling the end for diesel in the UK? This is my view as an electric vehicle editorHow we testedI spent a day with the Omoda 7 plug-in hybrid driving on familiar roads around Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. They ranged from bumpy country lanes to fast-flowing A-roads and a long blast down the M40 motorway. I checked on all the things most important to buyers of family SUVs, including the space on offer in the back and the usability of the boot, while the on-board tech also got a thorough test – including the Sony audio system.Omoda 7 SHS: From £32,000, Omodaauto.co.ukopen image in galleryThe Omoda 7 has a rather jiggly ride and more tyre noise than expected, but offers excellent efficiency (Omoda)Independent rating: 7/10Pros: Impressive total range; generous standard equipment; competitive pricing; large bootCons: Fidgety ride quality; vague steering; mixed interior plastics; disappointing Sony audioOmoda 7 SHS specsPrice: from £32,000Battery size: 18.4kWhMaximum EV range: 56 milesEngine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder engineClaimed battery and engine range: 745 milesBattery, range, charging, performance and drive The Omoda 7 SHS uses the Chery Group’s familiar Super Hybrid System. It pairs a clever and efficient 1.5-litre petrol engine with an 18.4kWh battery and a dedicated hybrid transmission featuring a dual-motor architecture. One motor primarily acts to power the car, the other works with brake regeneration to recharge the battery. The whole system can operate in series, parallel or pure electric modes depending on speed, load and battery state. Total output stands at 201bhp.open image in galleryThe Omoda 7's zigzag rear lights look good, but the shallow rear window limits visibility out of the back (Steve Fo