Hold on to your hats, Australia! It looks like Chery is about to flood the market with even more plug-in hybrid SUVs. But is this a good thing, or are they spreading themselves too thin? Get ready for the 2026 Omoda 7, a stylish new contender aimed squarely at the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and BYD Sealion 6.
Chery, already a significant player in the Australian automotive scene, currently offers a trio of mid-size plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs under the Omoda, Jaecoo, and Chery brand names. Now, they're upping the ante with the Omoda 7, promising a fresh and visually appealing alternative. This move definitely signals Chery's serious commitment to the Australian market, especially the growing segment of electric and hybrid vehicles.
According to a Chery Motor Australia spokesperson, the Omoda 7 is slated for a 2026 launch. "Omoda 7 will be launched in 2026. Timing and powertrain still to be confirmed at this stage," they confirmed. But here's where it gets interesting... government approval documents have already spilled some of the beans.
The documents reveal a front-wheel-drive mid-size SUV powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid system. This setup combines a 105kW petrol engine with a robust 150kW electric motor, all working in harmony through a Direct Hybrid Transmission. Think of it as a well-coordinated dance between gasoline and electricity, designed for efficiency and performance.
While official torque figures haven't been released, it's highly probable they'll mirror those of the Jaecoo J7 SHS (215Nm from the engine, 310Nm from the electric motor). We can also reasonably anticipate a total system output of around 255kW and 525Nm. That's a respectable amount of power for a mid-size SUV, suggesting it'll have plenty of pep for both city driving and highway cruising.
And this is the part most people miss... Unlike its rivals, the BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, the Omoda 7 will not offer an all-wheel-drive option. This could be a deal-breaker for some buyers who prioritize all-weather capability or off-road potential. Is this a strategic oversight by Chery, or a deliberate attempt to keep costs down and focus on urban drivers?
Both the Omoda 7 and Jaecoo J7 SHS share an 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, providing a claimed electric-only range of 90km on the WLTP cycle. This is a pretty decent range, allowing for emission-free commutes and shorter trips. The Jaecoo claims a fuel consumption of just 1.0L/100km, requiring 95-octane premium unleaded fuel. That's incredibly efficient, but real-world figures may vary depending on driving conditions.
Interestingly, the approval documents don't mention the petrol powertrain confirmed for the UK market – a 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder producing 108kW/275Nm. This engine is said to deliver a 0-100km/h time of 10.4 seconds. Will this petrol-only option eventually make its way to Australia?
Let's take a closer look at how the Omoda 7 stacks up against its boxier sibling, the Jaecoo J7:
| | Omoda 7 | Jaecoo J7 |
| ----------- | ------- | --------- |
| Length | 4630mm | 4500mm |
| Width | 1880mm | 1865mm |
| Height | 1680mm | 1680mm |
| Wheelbase | 2725mm | 2700mm |
| Tare mass | 1873kg | 1794kg |
| Boot space | 639L* | 340L |
- denotes data sourced from Omoda Jaecoo UK website
As you can see, the Omoda 7 is slightly longer and wider than the Jaecoo J7, offering significantly more boot space. This could be a key selling point for families or anyone who needs extra cargo capacity.
Like the Jaecoo J7 SHS, the Omoda 7 will ride on 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside, expect a modern and tech-focused cabin, centered around a large 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A glimpse at the UK-market Omoda 7 spec sheet also reveals appealing features like a surround-view camera with a transparent chassis view, a 50W wireless phone charger, panoramic sunroof, a premium 12-speaker Sony sound system, and heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable front seats.
The Omoda 7, initially unveiled at the 2024 Beijing motor show, will be positioned below the Omoda 9 in the lineup. The Omoda 9, launched earlier this year, marked the debut of the Omoda brand under the Omoda Jaecoo umbrella.
While the Omoda 9 is exclusively offered with plug-in hybrid power in Australia, a conventional petrol powertrain is available in some overseas markets, mirroring the situation with the Omoda 7.
It remains to be seen whether this will be Chery's final mid-size PHEV SUV for Australia. The Chinese automaker is gearing up to launch yet another brand, Lepas, next year. Will Lepas further dilute Chery's focus, or will it bring something truly unique to the Australian market? Only time will tell.
Nevertheless, Chery already boasts a comprehensive range of models designed to challenge the dominance of the Sealion 6 and Outlander PHEV, as well as the highly anticipated Toyota RAV4 PHEV. The Omoda 7 joins the Jaecoo J7, Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV, and Tiggo 8 PHEV (the latter being a large SUV of similar size to the Outlander PHEV) in Chery's ever-expanding lineup.
Omoda Jaecoo is strategically positioned as a more premium brand compared to Chery. Within this brand, Jaecoo models embody traditional SUV styling, while Omoda vehicles adopt a sleeker, crossover-inspired design.
Omoda Jaecoo, officially launched globally in 2023, operates exclusively outside of China. This is part of Chery's somewhat perplexing export strategy, which saw them achieve an impressive 1.14 million overseas sales in 2024. The brand has already gained traction in markets like the UK and Spain.
In China, Chery vehicles are marketed under the Chery or Exeed brands. Interestingly, the Omoda 7 is expected to be sold as the Chery Tiggo 7 Plus in China, albeit with some minor cosmetic tweaks.
So, what do you think? Is Chery's strategy of launching multiple brands and models in Australia a winning formula, or are they risking spreading themselves too thin? Will the lack of an all-wheel-drive option hurt the Omoda 7's chances against rivals like the Outlander PHEV and Sealion 6? And, perhaps most importantly, are you excited about the arrival of the Omoda 7, or are you feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of new SUVs hitting the market? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
