Jaecoo 5 vs Omoda 5: similar cars, same company, but which one is the better buy?

The Omoda 5 and the Jaecoo 5 are very similar under the skin – no wonder, as they’re made by the same company. But there are a few differences which mean you may prefer one over the other. Read our detailed comparison to find out which one’s going to be best for you

Choosing a car isn’t easy. It’s tougher still if the two cars at the top of your shortlist are very closely related.

The Jaecoo 5 and Omoda 5 are from the same parent company (the Chinese giant, Chery). They also share the same name and are very similar under the skin. So how do you choose between them?

Although super-similar, there are differences between these two cars. Carwow is here to help you choose between them.

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.

Jaecoo 5 vs Omoda 5: design

The most obvious difference between the two models is the way they look. The styling of the Jaecoo and Omoda reflects the way the brands have been positioned.

The Jaecoo is more rugged looking, with a hint of Range Rover wannabe about the styling. The Omoda is more sporty, more youthful, more urban.

That’s reflected in the Jaecoo’s big imposing grille – you notice this car in your rear-view mirror. It’s hard to miss. Squint a bit (not while you’re looking in the rear-view mirror, of course) and it could almost be mistaken for a Range Rover Evoque.

Meanwhile, the Omoda 5 is sleeker, with a coupé-like sloping roofline and less in-your-face grille. It looks quite stylish, if not especially memorable.

You can decide for yourself which is more appealing. The Jaecoo looks at home outside a country pub, the Omoda is in its element parked at a swanky gym. If pushed we’d choose the Jaecoo 5 – it makes a stronger impression.

Jaecoo 5 vs Omoda 5: interior and equipment

These two both have modern interiors. At first, both seem very well finished for the price, but look closer and you spot some cheap plastics. Whether you choose the Jaecoo or the Omoda, there are some irritating quirks and foibles which Chery would do well to iron out.

Both dashboards have digital driver’s displays. There’s not much to choose between them. However, the Jaecoo outdoes the Omoda with a 13.2-inch touchscreen rather than a 10.3-inch display. The two infotainment systems look good, but we prefer the larger Jaecoo screen. The Omoda’s system has maze-like menus and some tiny icons that are hard to hit without being distracted.

Jaecoo and Omoda both pack their cars with equipment. Jaecoo’s more basic Pure spec has front and rear parking sensors, cloth upholstery, and a six-speaker stereo. Upgrades with Luxury spec include a panoramic sunroof, artificial leather upholstery, powered adjustment of the front seats, an eight-speaker Sony stereo, and wireless smartphone charging.

The Omoda 5’s entry-level Knight spec has synthetic leather upholstery, a step up from the base Jaecoo’s cloth. It also comes with electric driver’s seat adjustment and wireless phone charging. Upgrades for the Noble model include electric adjustment for the passenger seat, a heated steering wheel, and multi-coloured ambient lighting.

So, the Jaecoo has the better infotainment but the Omoda has a slight edge for standard kit, especially the entry-level model.

Jaecoo 5 vs Omoda 5: space and practicality

Both cars are big compared with alternative SUVs at a similar price from better-known brands. However, one car emphatically puts that space to better use.

There’s not a lot to choose between them in the front seats, where there’s room for people of most shapes and sizes to be comfortable. However, in both cars you are forced to sit quite high up even with the seat on its lowest setting, which may not be ideal for very tall drivers.

Both cars have lots of storage space in the front of the car, with decent door bins and several cubbyholes.

Differences between the two cars are more apparent in the back. The Jaecoo has modest head and legroom in the rear seats, but the Omoda is worse. The sloping roof steals headroom and makes the Omoda uncomfortable for tall rear-seat passengers. Whether your 5 is a Jaecoo or an Omoda it won’t match the rear-seat space of an MG HS.

Boot space is a clear win for the Jaecoo. The capacity with the seats upright is 480 litres, which beats the Omoda by a whopping 100 litres. The shallow shape of the Omoda’s boot and rigid parcel shelf mean you will need to take the shelf out to load tall items.

Jaecoo 5 vs Omoda 5: engines and driving

Whether your 5 wears a Jaecoo or Omoda badge, the car will be powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine matched to a seven-speed automatic gearbox. In the Jaecoo it puts out 140hp compared with 147hp in the Omoda.

That small difference isn’t enough to make the Omoda much quicker than the Jaecoo. Both will happily keep up with traffic but lack the punch to keep keen drivers happy.

What’s more, these engines are noisy, thirsty, and put out more carbon dioxide than the efficient engines you will find in many alternatives. The Jaecoo is less thirsty than the Omoda, but both are poor by modern standards.

The Jaecoo and Omoda are both available as EVs. These versions, badged E5, are better to drive, with stronger acceleration, a quieter cabin, and a more settled ride than the petrol car.

Jaecoo 5 vs Omoda 5: prices and verdict

Neither of these cars is a standard setter when it comes to design, space, or driver appeal. They sell so well because they are cheap.

The Jaecoo 5 starts from £24,505, while the Omoda costs upwards from £23,990. Those are very keen prices. Yes, the Omoda is the cheaper of the two but both are superb value for money.

Which is better for you? Well, these cars share many of the same strengths and weaknesses. Neither drives very well and fuel economy is poor whichever you choose. The electric versions of the Jaecoo and Omoda are better than these petrol cars for anyone who can install a charging point at home.

Both cars benefit from a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. That’s reassuring when considering an unfamiliar brand. The Jaecoo and Omoda both have lots of safety kit and modern driver aids.

Looks may play a big part in your decision. The Jaecoo looks more like a shrunken off-roader, while the Omoda is almost a coupé on stilts.

There’s not a lot in it, but we’d recommend the Jaecoo. It has more boot space which makes it the more practical buy.

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