The Omoda C4 is a brand-new crossover that will debut in South Africa in the near future.
Initially called the C3, the compact SUV was unveiled at a media event held in Chery’s hometown of Wuhu in China back in April.
However, the carmaker has since opted to change the name based on early feedback from fans and co-creation sessions with early adopters, who reasoned that “4” was more reflective of its market positioning.
In any case, the C4 will serve as the new entry point to the brand, slotting below Omoda’s other products like the C5, C7, and C9.
The good news is that the C4 is coming to South Africa, as Omoda & Jaecoo’s local division confirmed that the new model will arrive in the second half of 2026.
“South Africa is an incredibly important market for Omoda and Jaecoo,” said Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager for O&J South Africa.
“With the introduction of the Omoda C4 in the latter part of 2026, we’re expanding our range to meet the growing demand for vehicles that combine expressive design, cutting-edge technology, and outstanding value, all without compromise.”
Sci-fi inspired
The C4 caught the attention of motoring enthusiasts when it was first unveiled due to its striking visuals, which have a rather interesting backstory.
Those who view the Omoda through the lens of a petrolhead will likely think that the shape was inspired by sporty crossovers and SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus, but the truth is far less straightforward.
The C4 was inspired by Mecha, which is the term used to describe a genre of East Asian animation centred around giant robots.
Famous examples of this genre include Japanese anime like Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion, but if you’re not familiar with these, a Western example would arguably be something like Guillermo del Toro’s film Pacific Rim.
That should give you a pretty good sense of the target demographic this car was designed for, especially since the team behind the C4 reportedly has an average age of 28.
The “Cyber Mecha” design, as Omoda calls it, is reflected in the sharp polygonal lines that shape the crossover, which is especially noticeable on smaller details like the door mirrors.
In comparison to the C5, the C4’s grille has a rather simple appearance that’s mostly closed off, similar to an electric vehicle (EV).
Instead, the front profile is mainly distinguished by the slim LED headlights and daytime running lights with a blade-like shape.
Inside, the sporty sci-fi theme continues with faux carbon fibre textures on various panels, and a polygonal design for the dual cupholders.
The dashboard has a large floating portrait infotainment screen, and there’s a small digital instrument cluster behind the multifunction leather steering wheel.
There are two wireless charging pads with cooling vents, but the most interesting aspect of the centre console are the buttons are located below the cupholders.
This includes standard functions like the hazard lights and electronic hand brake, as well as the keyless start button, which is covered by a flap you need to flip open, similar to the Urus.
It’s another aspect that plays up the Mecha theme, which is sure to appeal to those whose inner child still dreams of piloting a robot or fighter plane one day.
Unfortunately, Omoda has not released any details about the C4’s powertrain, though it did state that it will be offered with both internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid (HEV) options.
“This dual offering reflects Omoda’s strategy to make next-generation mobility accessible to a wider audience, allowing drivers to transition toward electrification at their own pace without compromising on power or driving pleasure,” said the company.
Pricing is another unknown quantity, and while it’s fair to assume it will be cheaper than the C5, the difference may not be as big as you might assume.
A spokesperson for Omoda previously explained to TopAuto that, since the C4 is a much newer car fitted with the brand’s latest technology, the price gap between it and the C5 will probably not be especially large.
To be fair, the C5 currently starts at R329,900, which is quite affordable by South African standards, but we’ll be interested to see whether the Chinese carmaker can sell the base C4 for less than R300,000, even if the higher-spec models end up crossing that threshold.
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