There are few things better than a road trip on the North Coast, so when we had the chance to test drive the Omoda Elegance S, we jumped at the opportunity.
The brand-new Omoda is a recent addition to the offering from Chery. The sub-brand forms part of their luxury arm, and the Elegance S certainly stands out when it comes to design – think a stylish exterior and distinctly modern details. We picked up the car from the Chery team in Umhlali, who gave us a quick tour of the high-tech interior. With a few tips and tricks from the Chery team in mind, we hit the highway to test the Omoda for ourselves.
Now, we might not be motoring experts, but we do appreciate comfort and the Omoda didn’t disappoint on that front. While the interior design is sporty, there’s plenty of space to stretch out. The model’s infotainment system is one of the interior’s most notable features – it includes a dual-screen display and a 360-degree camera, which makes it possible to see traffic all around the vehicle whilst driving. We particularly enjoyed the Sony audio system, which made it possible to play the perfect road trip soundtrack while we travelled smoothly up the coast.
The interior has a futuristic aesthetic, with a minimal centre console. A mix of materials give it a stylish feel, without compromising on function. There’s also ambient lighting, which can be turned on to amp up the high-tech sophistication even further.
The exterior design really stands out, with the grille taking centre stage. It features striking diamond-style details, and LED running lights. At the back, the taillights extend across the width of the rear, and the overall look is contemporary and cool.
When it comes to actually driving the Omoda Elegance S, there are plenty of especially designed assistance systems in place. These include adaptive cruise control; lane-assist; departure warnings; and rear cross-traffic alerts. The use of technology is quite impressive, especially given the price point of the model.
When it comes to actually driving the Omoda Elegance S, there are plenty of especially designed assistance systems in place. These include adaptive cruise control; lane-assist; departure warnings; and rear cross-traffic alerts. The use of technology is quite impressive, especially given the price point of the model.
The Omoda is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine, and our trip from Umhlali to Zinkwazi felt completely effortless. The ride up the highway was smooth, and with a beautiful winter sky above us, the sun roof was a welcome addition.
Safety features such as six airbags, anti-lock brakes, a reverse camera and blind spot monitoring put our minds at ease, and allowed us to enjoy the day out.
Details: Umhlali, 032 648 0090, www.omoda.co.za
