Small SUV now $6000 cheaper: Chery Omoda 5 FX is the new entry-level grade for GWM Haval Jolion, MG ZS and Mitsubishi ASX rival

Chery has just lowered the price of entry to its Omoda 5 small SUV range by $6000 with a cheaper FX variant.

Pricing starts from $27,990, drive-away, undercutting the rest of the Omoda 5 range and many big-brand rivals.

It maintains a similar level of equipment and the same engine as Chery's other non-GT Omoda 5s.

Cloth-faced upholstery with synthetic leather trimmings, 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker sound system and halogen headlights are standard.

The FX still gets twin 10.25-inch screens – one touch for multimedia and the other a digital driver's display – along with 'hello Chery' voice recognition.

It's $6000 cheaper than the mid-spec BX which gets acoustic glass, synthetic leather upholstery, soft touch door cards, dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker stereo and a wireless charger.

The EX moves to LED headlights, larger 18-inch alloy wheels in conjunction with heated seats and steering wheel, a power tailgate and 360-degree surround-view camera for $36,990, drive-away.

Chery Omoda 5 FX interior

All non-GT grades use a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder developing 108kW/210Nm. It drives the front wheels via a CVT auto.

The GT and GT AWD get a larger 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder developing 137kW and 275Nm mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. All-wheel drive is optional.

The whole Omoda 5 range is covered by an ANCAP five-star safety rating under 2022 protocols.

Chery Omoda 5 FX

While the new Omoda 5 FX undercuts the base model Mitsubishi ASX GS (about $28,490, drive-away), it remains dearer than base MG ZST Core ($25,490) and new-look GWM Haval Jolion Premium ($26,990, both national drive-away prices).

So far, Chery has sold 2456 Omoda 5s this year, lagging behind the Jolion (5826) and MG ZS (1841). Chery will be expecting the new cheaper entry-grade to boost Omoda 5 sales.

2024 Chery Omoda 5 pricing

All prices listed are drive-away