OMODA C7

The cabin is well designed for space utilization.

Passengers benefit from:

•  generous front-seat accommodation
•  comfortable rear seating
•  good shoulder room
•  practical headroom
•  multiple storage areas

The relatively flat floor design contributes to the better comfort of the rear passengers especially on long trips.

Cargo Capacity

One of the C7's assets is still its practicality.

The SUV provides:

•  spacious luggage compartment
•  split-folding rear seats
•  A number of storage compartments for the cabins.
•  wide tailgate opening
•  low loading height

The features make the car a perfect family car, an airport transportation, shopping or a weekend car away.

Interior Design

The Omoda C7's main attraction is its interior. The dashboard features a modern design with large, digital displays and high-quality materials.

Interior Highlights

Available features include:

•  15.6-inch smart display with sliding feature.
•  8.8 -inches digital instrument panel featuring screen space.
•  SONY high-end 6-speaker sound system
•  Ambient lighting
•  Panoramic roof
•  Wireless connectivity
•  Premium upholstery
•  Multi-zone climate control
•  Panoramic sunroof

At the heart of the cabin lies the gigantic 15.6-inch infotainment display that dominates the dashboard and is definitely a touch of luxury.

VIP Seating Experience

The higher trims have luxury-level features such as:

•  8-point massage seats
•  Intelligent lumbar support
•  Heated seats
•  6-way manual driver seat adjustment
•  6-way power driver seat adjustment
•  Ventilated seats
•  Passenger leg rest
•  Cinema-style VIP seating

These are luxuries not commonly found in this price range and are a big boost to long-distance comfort.

This segment has some very extensive safety technology.

Available systems include:

•  Adaptive Cruise Control
•  Lane Keeping Assist
•  Lane Departure Warning
•  Forward Collision Warning
•  Autonomous Emergency Braking
•  Blind Spot Detection
•  Rear Cross Traffic Braking
•  Lane Change Assist
•  Rear Collision Warning
•  540-degree camera system
•  Up to 7 airbags

The 540-degree camera system is very impressive, as it can be used to see under the car, which allows for better handling and parking confidence.

Structural Safety

According to OMODA the C7 has:

•  72.1% high-strength steel
•  29.8% ultra-high-strength steel
•  10% hot-formed steel

These numbers help to achieve good structural rigidity and better protection for occupants.

Ownership Perspective in the UAE

However, OMODA is a relatively new player, and continues to be a growing brand in the UAE.

A number of factors are working in its favor, however:

•  attractive pricing
•  extensive equipment
•  growing dealership network
•  premium interior quality
•  long warranty coverage

Overall, the sentiment in the community towards OMODA and sister brand JAECOO has been positive, with many highlighting its value for money and equipment levels. Initial owners have been impressed with the build quality and feature range over similarly priced Japanese rivals.

Potential concerns remain:

•  long-term resale value
•  long-term reliability data
•  brand maturity

These are all problems that are seen with new automotive brands that are entering the market.

Thanks to its futuristic design and unique road presence, the OMODA C7 immediately attracts attention. The C7's design is anything but conservative, with sharp lines, geometric surfaces and a front end treatment with a strong architectural influence from the future.

Exterior Highlights

Some external features include:

• Borderless parametric grille
• X-shaped front fascia
• Complete LED light system
• Dynamic LED DRLs
• Hidden door handles
• Sporty roofline
• Large alloy wheels
• Panoramic glass roof
• Sculpted rear design
• Larger width rear LED lights.

The front fascia is particularly impressive.

The signature X-shaped front design provides an aggressive and futuristic look, giving the C7 an unmatched appearance in the segment. The grille blends in with bumper styling and the narrow LED lights add to luxury appeal. The C7 is available in 5 exterior colour options: Khaki White, Carbon Crystal Black, Moonlight Silver, Misty Green, and Matte Grey.

The C7, viewed from the side, has a muscular build, yet is stylishly designed with coupe influences, lending it a high-end European appearance. The LED light signature and sculptured surfaces at the rear complete one of the most attractive designs for the crossover segment at the moment.

Dimensions & Practicality

The OMODA C7 is a good family car for urban driving.

Dimensions include:

•  Length: 4,660 mm
•  Width: 1,875 mm
•  Height: 1,670 mm

These dimensions place it almost in the middle of the compact SUV segment, while also offering plenty of space inside.

The OMODA C7 is available in petrol turbo engines designed to meet a balance between performance and efficiency.

There are the following engine options:

•  1.5 TGDI turbocharged petrol
•  1.6 TGDI turbocharged petrol
•  7-speed dual-clutch transmission
•  Front-wheel drive layout

The UAE market main sources are the 1.6TGDI engine which generates about:

•  197 horsepower
•  290 Nm torque
•  7-speed DCT gearbox

The turbocharged engine delivers good mid-range response and acceleration, allowing for easy overtaking and highway merging. The dual-clutch transmission shifts rapidly and efficiently, providing a better driving experience than most of the competitors that have CVTs.

Fuel Efficiency

Official fuel consumption figures are as low as:

• 4.7 L/100 km

As such, the C7 is one of the most efficient vehicles in its class, without compromising on performance.

Ride Quality & Driving Experience

The OMODA C7 has been built to provide a smooth and comfortable ride.

Urban Driving

The SUV is:The SUV is like:

•  easy to maneuver
•  light to steer
•  refined
•  responsive

There is good visibility from the elevated seating position and the advanced camera systems are making parking in tight urban areas easy.

Highway Performance

The C7 is composed and stable at high speeds on the highway. The turbo engine offers a high level of overtaking performance, and yet the chassis offers good control even at higher speeds. The C7 also sounds very good in terms of noise insulation. The company says it has a high-tech system for canceling up to 90% of cabin noise, which is like that of a luxury car.

Suspension Comfort

The vehicle utilizes:

•  double hydraulic suspension
•  brake-by-wire technology

The system helps to deliver a comfortable ride with excellent cornering control.

One of the C7's greatest assets is technology.

Technology Features

Available technology includes:

•  15.6-inch display
•  Qualcomm 8155 flagship processor
•  Offline voice control
•  Apple CarPlay
•  Android Auto
•  OTA software updates
•  Offline navigation
•  Digital cluster
•  Smart connectivity
•  Slide screen

The voice assistant can be used for:

•  Arabic
•  English
•  Russian

The multilingual support can be a great asset in the UAE's multicultural society. The Qualcomm 8155 processor is responsible for smooth graphics, quick response and high-end smartphone-like functionality.

The OMODA C7 is one of the most impressive new crossovers on the UAE market.

It successfully combines:

•  premium design
•  advanced technology
•  luxury-level comfort
•  strong turbocharged performance
•  comprehensive safety features

Transforming into a package that offers outstanding value.

The C7 isn't just competing on price – it's up against other, veteran models when it comes to tech, interior, and features. The OMODA C7 is definitely worth considering for UAE buyers looking for a crossover that offers a lot of style, responsibility and modernity for someone who thinks that the vehicle's price is quite low.

Overall Rating: 8.8 / 10

The OMODA C7 is a futuristic, tech-driven crossover SUV, which has managed to strike a balance between premium features, performance, and value, making it one of the most interesting new players in the UAE compact SUV segment.