First Drive: Omoda, Jaecoo offerings are ready for on-, off-road challenges

Prior to the official launch of Chinese brands Omoda and Jaecoo in the Philippines, the twin marques presented their three-car lineup at the Batangas Racing Circuit. 

There, Zigwheels Philippines (with the help of seasoned instructors) put the Omoda C5 and E5 as well as the Jaecoo EJ6 through their paces via a series of tests, which revealed the cars’ capabilities. 

“We’re excited to bring Filipino drivers a new standard of automotive performance as we officially launch our brand this month. Built on our automotive engineering DNA and powered by cutting-edge technology, our vehicles are designed to deliver unmatched performance, precision, and reliability, as we have demonstrated today,” the companies said in a press release. 

“This just marks the beginning of our journey to becoming a key player in the local motoring industry and redefining the driving experience for Filipinos,” they added. 

Brake, evade

Omoda’s flagship model, the C5 crossover was put to a brake and evasion test — simulating a situation where the driver must quickly slam the brakes and swerve to avoid a potential accident. 

During the said exercise, the author experienced its anti-lock braking feature, which will prove helpful in such circumstances. 

Overall, the Omoda C5 is equipped with some 13 advanced driver assistance systems and six airbags to keep its occupants safe should the untoward happen. 

Further, it has earned a five-star rating from global car safety assessment programs. 

Those interested in its powertrain specifications may refer to the table below: 

Engine	1.5-liter TCI
Maximum power (in hp)	154
Maximum torque (in Nm)	230

 

Slalom 

Up for the slalom test was the all-electric Omoda E5. 

The said activity was intended to showcase the crossover’s maneuverability and how well it would handle corners, especially at high speeds. 

With a quick take-off, the writer deemed its acceleration speed adequate and its ability to work with bends (with some noticeable body roll), passable. 

It is touted as a vehicle for the tech-savvy, eco-conscious younger generation, so it appears that the focus of the Omoda E5 is on sustainability. 

The model has a Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure-rated range of 430 kilometers (km) but exceeded the said number during its certification run with the Automobile Association of the Philippines where it clocked in at 442.7 km. 

It also features a wide range of technological innovations like a driver monitoring system and an intelligent voice assistant. 

Below are its electric powertrain specifications: 

Electric motor	Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Maximum power (in hp)	201
Maximum torque (in Nm)	340

 

Muddy maneuver 

Finally, the Jaecoo EJ6 was brought to an off-road track where the author was able to experience its capabilities. 

The combination of soft soil and stock tires posed a daunting challenge to the electric sport utility vehicle. Nevertheless, it still managed to come through the short muddy, makeshift course. 

Jaecoo equipped the EJ6 with decent adventure-oriented features. These include a capable electric motor, nine drive modes to tailor the vehicle’s performance according to the terrain, and a body made out of aluminum for a lighter weight. 

Its powertrain specifications can be seen in the table below:  

Electric motor	Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Maximum power (in hp)	275
Maximum torque (in Nm)	385
Maximum range (in km)	421

 

Final thoughts 

Overall, the three vehicles performed sufficiently in their respective exercises. The said tests revealed that Omoda and Jaecoo’s roster can be viable options for car buyers willing to become early adopters.

Here are the variants and the price tags of Omoda and Jaecoo’s initial offering in the Philippines:

• Omoda C5 Lifestyle: P998,000
• Omoda C5 Comfort: P1.159 million
• Omoda C5 Luxury: P1.279 million
• Omoda E5: P1.699 million 
• Jaecoo EJ6 RWD: P1.649 million 
• Jaecoo EJ6 AWD: P1.799 million

Also read:

Omoda, Jaecoo officially starts retail ops for C5, E5 EV for PH market

Omoda and Jaecoo partners up with IUCN

Omoda, Jaecoo opens 1st PH dealership, showroom in Cebu