Omoda C7 SHS (2025): Living With It

The brand-new Omoda C7 SHS PHEV joined us over the December holidays. Did this extended test uncover all this plug-in hybrid’s secrets, good or bad…?

The Omoda C7 is a new midsized family SUV offered by the overtly fashionable arm within Chery’s ever-expanding portfolio. As a reminder, the Omoda range comprises the C5, a stylish entry-level compact crossover, and the flagship C9, which is a large family SUV. We’ve assessed both on Cars.co.za and you can find their respective reviews on our YouTube channel.

Logically, the C7 slots between the two and the range comprises 3 derivatives. There are 2 conventionally powered 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol models in 2 trim levels. At the summit sits this version, the 1.5-litre petrol plug-in hybrid, badged as the Omoda C7 SHS (Super Hybrid System).

With a price range of R539 900 to R689 900, as well as a comprehensive list of standard features, the Omoda C7 is aggressively priced in comparison to its rivals.

See detailed specifications and pricing of the Omoda C7 range

Our test unit was box-fresh … literally. Having just landed in South Africa, it was sent to one of the 57 Omoda dealerships nationwide and prepared for delivery to us. With just 60 km on the clock, it was going to require some running in as well as charging, a task we were looking forward to. By the end of the test, we’d covered more than 2 200 km.

What we like about the Omoda C7 SHS

Performance & Economy

The on-paper efficiency claims for the Omoda C7 SHS are impressive. A total range of around 1 200 km, a pure electric range of 105 km and a combined economy figure of 4.9 L/100 km will raise a few eyebrows.

Interestingly, Omoda has no claimed performance figures, so as always, we at Cars.co.za conducted our standard acceleration test. In its sportiest of settings, the Omoda C7 SHS dashed to 100 kph in 7.39 seconds. For what it’s worth, this is comfortably quicker than its non-hybrid siblings (8.28 seconds).

Full-bore acceleration is a peculiar experience, as the vehicle’s default approach is to lean on the battery and electric motor for as long as possible, with the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine stepping in later. As the vehicle accelerates, you can feel and hear the petrol engine engaging, giving you a little nudge in the back – a second wind, if you will. It is worth noting that repeated full-throttle application decimates battery life and it was amusing to see the pure EV range drop by 1 km every 2 seconds!

C7 SHS fuel use

While its near-instant acceleration and overtaking ability will please, the real strength is its consumption. Curiously, the C7 does not have a comprehensive trip readout, instead using a system which measures the previous 50 km. This presented us the opportunity of changing driving styles and modes every 50 km, and then taking a reading.

In conclusion, the Omoda C7 SHS proved impressively frugal and economical to run, but the caveat is to charge where possible. In a perfect world, you’d charge via a solar system. Thanks to the convenience of an AC charger at the Cars.co.za offices, we were able to top up for free numerous times.

Omoda kindly supplied a topped-up charge card, which allowed us to charge the C7 SHS at one of the many public DC chargers at no cost to us. Prices of these vary, but a general rule of thumb is that the more powerful and therefore quicker the charger, the more you’ll pay.

Find your nearest public car charger with pricing

Tech, Features & Comfort

Electing for the plug-in hybrid over its conventionally powered siblings means you get additional comfort features and technology on top of a more efficient and powerful drivetrain.

The Omoda C7 SHS gains a 12-speaker Sony system (up from 8 speakers), active noise cancellation, the passenger seat is now 6-way adjustable and features massage functionality plus a leg rest. We would have liked a massage setting for the driver too, however…

There are also larger 20-inch alloy wheels as well as an in-car fragrance dispenser. Settings of the latter can be tweaked for subtlety and frequency.

The real strength of the C7 SHS was its quietness and effortless drive. This is a genuinely refined commuter and, while comfort is a generic term thrown around carelessly in the majority of car assessments, very few offerings at this price point embody this term.

Given the testing period, the seat’s ventilation functionality was used regularly and we found the voice-activated controls responsive. There’s nothing quite like stepping into a hot car and shouting, “Hey Omoda, climate control to 18 degrees.”

C7 and your Smartphone

It’s hard to not be daunted by the large, somewhat ostentatious screen perched on the dashboard, but if you treat it like a tablet, suddenly the user experience simplifies. In time, you’ll be swiping and tapping without hesitation. Both wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available, and we appreciated the ventilated 50 W mobile phone charger.

One particular highlight was the assisted driving tech, which was simple to activate. Unlike some rival products, it didn’t panic or get confused by varying qualities of road markings. Essentially, the car’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist team up to give a degree of driving autonomy. Great for those long drives when concentration tends to wander, but it is a little unnerving to see and feel the steering wheel rotate on its own…

Dislikes?

While the performance, efficiency, refinement and sheer value for money dazzled and impressed, there are some gripes.

Due to the battery and associated wiring taking up space, boot size has been reduced over the non-electrified versions. The data says the boot-capacity difference is 77 litres (614 vs 537).

However, the more alarming issue for us is the lack of a spare wheel. Instead, you get a tyre-repair kit, which is better than nothing, we suppose. It’s something to be mindful of if you’re driving roads less travelled.

Look for Omoda New Car Special offers on Cars.co.za

Price & After-sales support

The Omoda C7 SHS is sold with a 1-million km/10-year engine warranty for the 1st owner, 5-year/75 000 km service plan and 1-year/200 000 km factory warranty.

The SHS battery pack is covered by a 10-year/unlimited km warranty for the 1st owner, while certain electric drive unit components (for the C7 SHS) are also protected under this plan. Buyers further benefit from 5 years of roadside assistance (unlimited km).

Verdict

The Omoda C7 SHS did everything we asked of it. Once we were past the learning curve, we appreciated the way it quietly went about its business. Sure, petrolheads are among the loudest voices on social media but the majority of car purchases in South Africa are by people who just want an honest, reliable, safe and spacious family SUV, and we feel that the C7 should be on the test-drive list.

The question is, though: do you purchase the standard C7, or go for the plug-in hybrid? In comparison to its conventionally powered siblings, we think the C7 SHS justifies its price premium with additional performance and features, plus the plug-in hybrid powertrain offers superior driving refinement. Just pick a colour other than black, unless you have a loyalty card at your local carwash!

Further reading:

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