The best Omoda 9 alternatives: what is this Chinese SUVs competition?
August 07, 2025 by David Motton

The Omoda 9 SHS is an impressive bit of kit. In fact, you’ll struggle to find a plug-in hybrid that goes further on electric power (93 miles in official tests) or which offers more bang for your buck (449hp for £44,990).
It’s not perfect, though, with a fussy infotainment system and poor semi-autonomous driver aids.
So don’t sign that order form until you have considered some alternatives.
1. Kia Sportage

Freshly updated, the Kia Sportage is roomy and good value. Unlike the Omoda, it comes with a choice of engines and specification levels, so there’s more likely to be a model that suits you. What’s more, the seven-year warranty makes it a sensible buy.
On the other hand, the Omoda 9 SHS is much more powerful than any Sportage model, and the plug-in hybrid version of the facelifted Kia won’t arrive until later in the year.
2. Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan is a safe bet. That’s both a good and a bad thing. It’s good, because this German SUV is thoroughly competent in every way that matters. It’s bad, because the VW is as adventurous as beige wallpaper.
Volkswagen offers buyers plenty of choice to suit different needs and pockets. If you plan to buy a plug-in hybrid there’s a choice of two versions with 71 to 77 miles of range. That’s a shorter distance than the Omoda will travel on electricity but the Tiguan is the better car overall.
3. MG HS

Like the Omoda 9, the MG HS majors on value. In fact it makes most other cars on this list seem expensive. The keen price isn’t the only reason to choose one – it’s also spacious and packed with standard kit.
Don’t expect the MG to match the entertainment value of a Cupra Terramar, though. Other drawbacks include fiddly infotainment and the fact that the PHEV isn’t compatible with DC chargers. Even with these flaws, though, the MG HS is hard to ignore at the price.
4. Dacia Bigster

Like its ‘say what you see’ name, the Dacia Bigster is a simple and unsubtle proposition: big car, small price.
Considering its budget cost, the Bigster is well equipped. That said, like other Dacia models it may fall short of expectations when it comes to driver aids and safety features – it scored just three out of five when safety tested by Euro NCAP. The Bigster’s strengths lie elsewhere, namely its roomy cabin, big boot, and outstanding value.
5. Jaecoo 7

The Jaecoo and Omoda brands are both owned by the huge Chinese car maker, Chery. While Omoda is the sportier of the two, Jaecoo models are more rugged and adventurous.
The PHEV version of the Jaecoo 7 has a long range, albeit not quite in the same league as the Omoda 9 (57 miles rather than 93). It’s not as quick either. However, the Jaecoo 7 is cheaper and comes with a choice of engines and specifications, unlike the single model Omoda 9. The trouble is, the Jaecoo 7 has an uncomfortable ride and an irritating infotainment system.
6. Skoda Karoq

Don’t buy the Skoda Karoq expecting fireworks. There’s no super-fast plug-in hybrid model, and the design is conservative to the point of anonymity. Even so, it would be a mistake to ignore the Skoda.
There’s lots of space inside, with ample room for people and luggage. Choose a model with Varioflex seating and you’ll have a cabin with a flexible layout as well as plenty of space. You can choose from petrol and diesel engines, and whichever one you pick the Karoq is comfortable and capable.
7. Cupra Terramar

If you are stifling a yawn at the thought of a Kia Sportage or Skoda Karoq, the Cupra Terramar may be more your style. It’s a handsome SUV with a sporty edge.
Pick the 265hp petrol for the best performance and handling, or the 272hp plug-in hybrid for pace combined with economy. Either way, the Terramar isn’t as roomy in the back as an Omoda 9, and it can’t match the Chinese car for value. Even so, it’s the keen driver’s choice.
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