Chery Tiggo 8 Pro And Omoda 5 On Display At The Malaysia Autoshow 2023

L-R: Chery Omoda 5 and updated plus RHD 2023MY version of the Tiggo 8 Pro at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023.

Chinese automaker Chery is set to reenter the Malaysian market in greater strength this year, and the brand’s  display pavilion at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023, located in Hall A, is proof of which.

Besides announcing its local assembly efforts through partners Inokom and Sime Darby yesterday, the brand has brought both the 2023 Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and Omoda 5 crossover SUV models on public display for the first time at the show too.

Will this Chinese alternative bait you away from the likes of the X50 and HR-V?

Set to pit itself against the likes of the Proton X50 and Honda HR-V, the Omoda 5 enters the market in July this year as a combustion-powered offering first before an all-electric version is introduced later. It will pack a 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol mill rated at 145 HP and 230 NM to drive its front wheels via a CVT box.

In terms of size, the Omoda 5 is actually slightly larger than key competitors the X50 and HR-V.

L-R: CVT is the transmission of choice paired with the Omoda 5's 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol heart.

In terms of size, the Omoda 5 sits slightly larger than its aforementioned rivals and, based on the car displayed at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023, it will be specced to sell. Highlights include full LED lighting front and aft, dual 10.25-inch digital displays, wireless Android Auto and Apple carPlay, touch -sensitive climate control with rear vents, as well as a thumping 8-speaker Sony hi-fi audio system primed on board.

On board, the Omoda 5 features a unique dual 10.25-inch digital display unit.

Other key features include a standard 360-litre boot that can be expanded 1,075-litre thanks to 60:40 split folding rear seats, keyless entry and ignition, powered tailgate, powered sunroof leather upholstery, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels Also equipped are an array of active driver assists (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and autonomous emergency braking.

The Tiggo 8 Pro is set to give rivals like the Mazda CX-8, Peugeot 5008, and perhaps the Kia Sorento something to sweat about.

Also set for market entry in July is the larger Tiggo 8 Pro three-row SUV model. The car on display at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023 is in right-hand-drive (RHD) form, and it features slight exterior design tweaks that include Chery’s new “galaxy” grille design plus full-width LED bar at the rear and larger 19-inch wheels.

Exterior design tweaks that include Chery’s new “galaxy” grille design.

This larger-sized offering rightfully gets a larger 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol mill serving up 250 HP and 390 NM to drive the front wheels via a 7-speed DCT automatic box. It will also offer three selectable drive modes, those being Eco, Normal, and Sport.

wide 24.6-inch combined dash and infotainment display unit leads the Tiggo 8 Pro's tech bill on board.

On board, the Tiggo 8 Pro sports a wide 24.6-inch combined dash and infotainment display unit, multi-colour cabin ambient lighting, powered and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, powered tailgate, panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone charger, as well as both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Would you opt for this Chinese-branded alternative against the established crop of segment peers?

Like the Omoda 5, the Tiggo 8 Pro is also laced with a host of ADAS features. However, this larger – and presumably pricier – offering ups the ante with the addition of a wide 540-degree parking monitor, front collision warning, door opening warning, rear cross traffic alert, and door opening warning. Whilst on safety still, it’s also worth noting that airbag count has risen to 9 in total.

No tentative prices were revealed or hinted, but the folks at Chery promise that both models will command “competitive figures”. You can size both models up in the flesh at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023 in Hall A.