The best used alternatives to the Omoda 5

Chinese brand Omoda’s key selling point is the amount of metal you get for your money. Its Omoda 5 SUV costs less than £24,000 but is around the size of a Nissan Qashqai, has a powerful 1.5-litre petrol engine, and comes equipped with things like a Sony stereo, wireless mobile phone charging, and electric seat adjustment.

But when we tested the Omoda 5 we found it lacked in a few key areas – and there’s no denying that the Omoda brand doesn’t exactly have the badge kudos that some people are looking for. The all-electric Omoda E5 has similar issues, though it’s at least a bit nicer to drive. But can you get more for your money if you buy used?

You won’t necessarily get that new-car smell, nor the reassurance of a brand-new warranty – but going for a used car can get you something rather posher and more desirable than this budget SUV, if you’re happy to shop around. We’ve rounded up six of the most interesting models you could check out right now.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Kia Sportage

Let’s start out being sensible. The Kia Sportage is a brilliant family SUV – it’s practical, decent to drive and cheap to run. And for just £22,600, we located a desirable hybrid model in the range-topping GT-Line S trim – giving you all the goodies you’d get with the well-equipped Omoda 5. It’s a 2022 model, but Kia offers a seven-year warranty – so you’d still have four years of cover left.

The Sportage’s hybrid engine is much more efficient than the Omoda’s petrol, and it’s even more powerful. The downsides? Well, the Sportage isn’t a particularly exciting car to drive, and nor will it turn any heads despite the smart styling.

BMW 5 Series Touring

If you’re really looking for the ultimate family car then you really need go no further. The BMW 5 Series Touring is as good as estate cars get, with a huge boot, fantastic cabin and a chassis that almost begs you to take it for a drive. It really is one of those cars that can do anything – and we found a few options for the same money as the Omoda.

The sensible buyer should doubtless go for one of the diesel models – we found a 2022 520d for less than £22,000. There are a few examples of the 530e plug-in hybrid that suit our budget, but without the benefits of reduced company car tax like you get with a new model these aren’t so useful. Our eyes were drawn to the 540i, though – a six-cylinder dream of an engine with all the practicality of the other models. It’s a bit older, as a 2019 car, but it would be absolutely gorgeous to drive.

Genesis GV60

What about something totally different? The Genesis GV60 may be a similar size to the Omoda E5, and it even shares some styling cues such as the swept-back roof and intricate headlights. But it’s a seriously posh and fantastically capable electric car – and we found a 2022 model for less than £24,000. That’s a serious saving against the Omoda E5’s £33,065 price tag.

For your money you get impressive performance, a gorgeous interior filled with quality materials and a real-world range approaching 300 miles. All specs which knock the Omoda into a cocked hat.

Porsche Macan

What if you’re willing to go for an SUV that’s a little older? Well, if you’re happy driving a 2017 car, then for the price of a new Omoda 5 you could get yourself behind the wheel of a Porsche Macan.

We found a 2017 example with just under 90,000 miles within our budget, and better still it’s a GTS model – this gives you a 5.2-second 0-62mph sprint and a top speed of 159mph. The Macan’s interior is rock-solid and the brand always performs well in Driver Power surveys – aftercare may be expensive, but you get what you pay for and Porsche’s cars tend to be very reliable if regularly serviced. It’s certainly a much more feel-good option than an Omoda 5.

Lexus UX

If the Omoda 5’s 7-year warranty is a key selling point for you, then here’s a way to beat it while still enjoying the benefits of buying a posh used car. Opt for the hybrid Lexus UX – it’s a small SUV with a well-built interior and efficient engine – and you can pick up a 2023 example well within our budget.

Lexus’ ‘Relax’ warranty package means that this two-year-old car still has up to eight years of cover left – every time you get the car serviced at an approved garage, you unlock a further year of cover.

Wildcard: Aston Martin DB9

Who among us hasn’t had the occasional fantasy of being James Bond? Well, you don’t need super-deep pockets to fill that dream – all you need is an Omoda 5-sized bundle in your wallet. We found a couple of 2005 DB9s, in period-correct silver, for well within our budget constraints.

As with any exotic car, you need to be prepared – while the purchase price may be the same as a compact SUV, the servicing and running costs will still be those of a car that cost over £100,000 when new. The DB9 will gobble fuel, and you should be prepared for it to throw the occasional wobbly too – good breakdown cover is essential. Nevertheless, it’s exciting to think you could be driving one of the coolest and most beautiful cars ever made, for the price of a small Chinese SUV.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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