Omoda E5 Review 2025

Alongside those chalked-up by its sibling brand, Jaecoo, Omoda’s range of cars is one of 2025’s sales successes. It’s proved that being an unknown Chinese marque isn’t a hindrance when attracting customers, but not one to rest on its laurels, its family-sized electric SUV — the Omoda E5 — has just received a comprehensive round of improvements.

Yes, barely a year since UK sales of the E5 commenced it — along with its petrol-engined twin, the Omoda 5 — is benefiting from a whole host of improvements to maintain its competitive edge in an ever-crowded corner of the market.

Although the Omoda E5 is still relatively new from our perspective, the car’s essentially been available in its homeland since 2022. That makes it ripe for a mid-life makeover, especially as it will soon have a similarly propelled in-house rival in the shape of the forthcoming Jaecoo 5 EV.

Given the strength of depth among rival manufacturers, the smaller Jaecoo won’t be the only battery powered SUV in the Omoda E5’s sights. In terms of size it’s aiming at the same kind of buyers as Europe’s best-selling EV so far in 2025, the excellent Skoda Elroq. Omoda will also be taking aim at the all-new Nissan Leaf, which has metamorphosised into an SUV for its third generation from its original guise as an electric hatchback.

Another strong-selling rival from a fellow Chinese manufacturer that’s proving popular is the BYD Atto 3, while big numbers are also expected from the Anglo-Sino MG S5 EV based on the success of its MG ZS EV predecessor.

New to the Omoda E5 from its summer 2025 enhancements is an improved high-voltage battery pack, albeit with the same 61kWh as before. Increased levels of energy density enable it to store more charge improving the WLTP Combined cycle to 267 miles based on provisional figures, representing a 10-mile increase.

No times have yet been confirmed for the new battery’s higher rates of recharge thanks to enhanced on-board charging rates of 10.3kW for AC, such as when using a domestic wallbox and 130kW when using a DC charger such as a CCS connection at a public facility. With its previous 80kW DC maximum a 30-80% replenishment took 28 minutes, so the latest E5s should improve on that.

Shortening the required length of the Omoda’s internal cabling, reducing weight and expense, its charging port is located behind a rising flap between the headlights. Bear this in mind if you prefer to reverse into public charging bays or to use your existing wallbox at home as the flex may not be long enough to reach without going in nose-first.

Powering the Omoda E5 is a 204PS electric motor driving the front wheels via a single-speed transmission that’s operated like an automatic gearbox. Producing 340Nm of torque from the moment you press the accelerator pedal, the 0-62mph benchmark time is dispatched in just 7.2 seconds.

As is becoming more common across the whole gamut of newly launched models, the Omoda E5’s dashboard comprises two 12.25-inch displays alongside each other behind a single pane.

Immediately ahead of the driver, the screen illustrates key metrics such as speed and battery energy levels, while the touchscreen to its left is used to operate the multimedia functions as well as other operations such as the climate control. It’s a shame that physical adjusters, such as those which feature on the larger Omoda 9, weren’t part of the recent improvements for the E5.

Some physical controls for other functions are inset into the centre console, ahead of which is a sliding cover to shroud the twin cupholders and the wireless smartphone charging pad when they’re not in use. The drive selector is located on the right-hand side of the steering column to free up storage space between the front seats.

As an aside, the Omoda E5’s dashboard was originally unique to it but as part of the 2025 facelift it’s also been introduced into the petrol-powered version.

While we’ve yet to drive the Omoda E5, the firm claims that it has also improved both the suspension and the steering as part of the suite of changes. Based on how the combustion-engined Omoda 5 felt on test, we hope these alterations bode well for making it feel both more comfortable on poor road surfaces and more communicative through the wheel.

Exact specifications for the updated Omoda E5 are still to be confirmed, although we expect equipment levels to be even higher than the generously appointed debut models were. The previous entry-level Comfort trim has given way to Knight, while the range-topping Noble specification name continues.

Order books for the improved Omoda E5 are now open with the first customer deliveries commencing almost immediately. Prices start at £33,065 for the new Omoda E5 Knight while the plusher Noble model is just £1500 more — both significantly undercutting rival cars. 

It’s not tricky to understand why Omoda’s doing so well, so soon.

Keep this page bookmarked for further news on this new model and our comprehensive full Omoda E5 review in the coming weeks.