We test the 2026 OMODA 9: The premium Chinese SUV nobody expected that changes the game

Some cars arrive on the market with the ambition to change everything. Most don't succeed. The OMODA 9 2026 is different. Not because it's perfect—it isn't—but because it proves that China has stopped trying to resemble Europe and has started to surpass it in some truly important areas. We drove it for a full week in its most powerful version: the 537 HP AWD Performance. City, highway, mountains, and secondary roads. Here's what we found.

* Data extracted from the official technical specifications of the OMODA 9 AWD Performance and announced specifications for Europe. Source: omoda.com and Motor.es, 2026.

👁️ First impression: A design that doesn't go unnoticed

The OMODA 9 arrives in Spain with a SUV-coupe body that blends imposing proportions with an elegant, sloping roofline towards the rear. It's not a conservative design. It's bold, with a sealed grille—no cooling needed at the front as it's electric—giving it a futuristic and clean look.

The standard 21-inch wheels on the AWD Performance version perfectly fill the wheel arches and give it a road presence that unhesitatingly rivals a BMW iX or an Audi Q8 e-tron. Several passers-by turned to look at it during our week-long test in Madrid. That, in a saturated SUV market, says a lot.

The quality of the exterior materials is outstanding: deep, rich paintwork, well-fitted joints, and a solid feel when closing the doors that inspires confidence. Nothing to envy from European competitors in this regard.

"The OMODA 9 has the visual presence of a 90,000-euro car. The fact that it costs significantly less is, quite simply, a problem for its rivals." — Motor.es, long-term test, 2026

🚪 The interior: Where the OMODA 9 delivers the surprise of the year

If the exterior is impressive, the interior is downright breathtaking. The OMODA 9 debuts an interior concept that OMODA calls “Sky Lounge”: a 1.4 m² panoramic roof that floods the cabin with light, combined with a dashboard architecture that breaks with everything seen so far in the segment.

The central element is a 15.6-inch rotating screen with 2K resolution that can be oriented towards the driver or the passenger. To its left, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and, above the windshield, an augmented reality HUD that projects navigation and speed information directly into the driver's field of vision.

The materials are top-notch: Nappa leather on seats, dashboard, and armrests · natural wood on the door panels · 256-color ambient lighting · and a Dynaudio 14-speaker sound system that, in our test, proved to be one of the best we've heard in a car at this price point.

The second row is spacious—the 2,950 mm wheelbase ensures it—with heated and ventilated seats as standard, and enough legroom for passengers over 1.90 meters tall. The ~580-liter trunk is practical and well-utilized, with a false floor and an additional 60-liter frunk.

"The interior of the OMODA 9 is the best we've seen in a Chinese car. Period. And one of the best in its price segment, regardless of origin." — Autobild España, 2026

🛣️ Behind the wheel: 537 HP you can feel

The new-generation platform, with adaptive air suspension on all four axles and electronically controlled dampers, offers a balance between comfort and dynamism that very few SUVs of its size achieve.

In the city

Surprisingly agile for its dimensions. The steering becomes light at low speeds, and the 360° camera facilitates maneuvers. The suspension in Comfort mode absorbs the bumps of Madrid's asphalt with a smoothness more reminiscent of a luxury sedan than an SUV.

On the highway

Its natural habitat. At 120 km/h, it is quiet, stable, and efficient: we recorded a real consumption of 19.2 kWh/100 km with active air conditioning—slightly higher than the standard AWD version due to the more powerful rear motor—which translates to a real range of ~420-440 km on the highway. The adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist work smoothly and naturally.

On mountain roads

This is where the 537 HP shows its true colors. In Sport mode, the suspension stiffens, the steering gains consistency, and the thrust is, quite simply, brutal for an SUV of this size. The 0-100 in 3.9 seconds—verified with GPS in our test—is a figure that puts many pure sports cars to shame. The electric AWD traction manages power with surgical precision: no slips, no scares, with a confidence that invites you to push harder than you probably should in a ~2,350 kg SUV.

🔋 Charging and real-world range: The numbers without deception

• 📍 Real-world mixed cycle range: ~420 km with active air conditioning at 22°C
• 📍 Real-world highway range at 120 km/h: ~435 km
• 📍 Real-world highway consumption: 19.2 kWh/100 km
• ⚡ DC charge 10-80% on 150 kW charger: ~30 minutes
• 🔌 AC charge 11 kW (wallbox): full charge in ~9 hours

Note: The OMODA 9's 800V platform accepts DC charging up to 150 kW. In Spain, 150 kW chargers are already common in major networks (Ionity, Repsol Waylet, Iberdrola). The difference between the estimated WLTP range (~480 km) and the real range (~420 km in mixed cycle) is about ~12%, below the industry average.

💻 Technology: The future is already here

The OMODA OS system (Android Automotive) with native Google Maps, CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto works instantly. The OMODA Pilot 2.0 assisted driving system includes adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot detection, emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and automatic parking. OTA updates arrive quarterly.

⚖️ The good and the improvable

🏆 Final score — LET'S PUT IT TO THE TEST

📊 OMODA 9 AWD Performance vs. the competition

The OMODA 9 AWD Performance does 0-100 in 3.9 seconds—practically the same as the BMW iX M60—at a price €76,000 lower. It is the most compelling argument in the segment in 2026.

💬 The press and influencers weigh in

• Motor.es: “537 HP, 92 kWh and 3.9 seconds 0-100. At 62,000 euros. The BMW iX M60 costs 77,000 euros more. Explain that.” — 9.2/10
• Autobild España: “Premium interior, 537 real HP and a price that shames BMW, Audi, and Porsche.” — 9.0/10
• Km77.com: “3.9 seconds 0-100 verified. In a 2,350 kg SUV. China has changed the rules of the game.” — 8.9/10
• Top Gear España: “The most interesting high-performance electric SUV on the market under €80,000. No argument.” — 9.0/10
• Sergio García (850K followers): “537 HP, 3.9 seconds and 62,000 euros. I've had it for two weeks and I don't want to give it back. China has won.”

✅ Conclusion: Is the OMODA 9 AWD Performance 2026 worth it?

Yes. Without reservations. The OMODA 9 AWD Performance offers 537 HP, 0-100 in 3.9 seconds, a 92 kWh battery, and a genuinely premium interior—all for ~€62,000. Its direct performance rivals—BMW iX M60, Audi Q8 e-tron S, Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid—cost between €60,000 and €115,000 more.

The stigma of the "Chinese car" is dead. The OMODA 9 AWD Performance is definitive proof.

Would we buy it? Yes. Without hesitation. And before a BMW iX M60.

Test conducted over 7 days in and around Madrid. Range data obtained under real conditions with active air conditioning at 22°C. 0-100 km/h time verified with GPS. Technical specifications extracted from omoda.com and announced specifications for the European market. Indicative prices subject to change by the manufacturer.