The Omoda C4 is a new crossover from Chery’s premium carmaker, and it’s coming to South Africa.
The C4 is set to become Omoda’s new entry-level car, slotting below the C5, C7, and C9.
It will be offered with a variety of powertrains, including an internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and battery-electric vehicle (BEV) option.
TopAuto recently had the chance to check out the C4 in person on a trip to China with Omoda, Jaecoo, and iCAUR.
We saw the car unveiled at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, and had a brief opportunity to drive the car around a testing track in Chery’s hometown of Wuhu.
The general impression from our media group is that the C4 has the potential to become one of South Africa’s best-selling cars.
Pricing is likely to be a key part of the crossover’s success, as Omoda confirmed that it will cost less than the C5, which is already one of the most affordable cars in its segment with a starting price of R339,900.
The two cars will inevitably overlap in price though, especially since the C4 will feature new-energy variants that will undoubtedly cost more than the ICE C5.
However, a representative for Omoda Jaecoo South Africa told TopAuto that the brand is considering the possibility of introducing a base-spec model with a manual gearbox, which could potentially drop the car’s starting price below R300,000.
This would be a significant breakthrough, as it would put the C4 on par with the country’s cheapest crossovers like the Nissan Magnite, Suzuki Fronx, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Kia Sonet.
The manual option is still under review, mind you, but even if this option is scrapped, the C4 will still be one of the more affordable compact SUVs in South Africa.
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The C4 impresses right off the bat with a striking “Mecha-inspired” design that incorporates sharp body styling with alloy wheels and slim LED headlights and daytime running lights.
The front end will change depending on the powertrain, as the hybrid and electric versions replace the standard grille with a closed-off fascia
At the back, the C4 uses the same “lightning bolt” LED taillights seen on the C7, which will likely become a staple for Omoda’s vehicles going forward.
Inside, the upholstery is a mix of fabric and artificial leather with red stitching, and the dashboard features a small digital driver display and a floating portrait infotainment system.
The most unique aspect of the interior is the centre console, which has two phone holders with a ventilated wireless charger, a pair of cupholders, a large armrest and storage bin, and a lower shelf with USB ports and a 12V socket.
The middle of the console has a sporty faux carbon fibre finish and is where you’ll find buttons for essential functions like the hazard lights, aircon on/off switch, and door lock.
This is also where the keyless start button is found, which has a red cap you have to flip open, similar to a Lamborghini Urus.
On the display model we saw in Wuhu, there was also a plugged in video game controller similar to the ones used by PlayStation and Xbox.
In-car video games are a feature that Omoda is developing for all its models, and the representative for Omoda South Africa confirmed that we will get this option once it is available.
For obvious reasons, the video games are not available while driving, but it can serve as a fun distraction for you or your kids if you need to stop somewhere.
One scenario we were given where this feature may be handy is when you’ve picked up one of your kids while the other is still at sports practice, so they can keep themselves entertained while you wait.
As for the car itself, we sat four adults inside the crossover and found it to be very spacious, particularly in the back where there was still a decent amount of leg and headroom sitting behind the driver.
The boot is also quite large for a car of this size, and it appears as if you can raise and lower the boot floor on the ICE models.
We tried with the HEV version, but it seems that this is where the battery is located, so the total boot space is a bit smaller.
Speaking of the engine, the C4 will feature the same selection as the C5 when it lands in South Africa.
The ICE units are equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 115kW and 230Nm, which is sent to the front wheels via a CVT.
It remains to be seen whether the higher-spec models will receive a six-speed dual-clutch automatic like the C5.
The HEV combines the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor, which ups the power to a substantial 165kW and 295Nm.
Omoda confirmed that there will be an electric model, but this will likely be added at a much later date, as there isn’t any concrete information on this version just yet.
The company also announced there will be a performance model called the C4 Ultra, which will use an uprated version of the HEV drivetrain.
The engine will produce 105kW and 215Nm, while the e-motor generates 150kW and 310Nm. Omoda has yet to reveal the vehicle’s combined figures.
The Ultra will also receive a rear wing, exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels, a 23-speaker stereo, and launch control.
The Omoda C4 is expected to land in South Africa in late 2026 or early 2027.
Omoda C4 in Wuhu, China
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