The SUV market in Malaysia is currently being flooded by various brands, most of them from China, so we do not blame you for not knowing which one to choose. If you’re looking for an SUV, it means you probably want something that can carry your family, or you might just be an SUV enthusiast.

The price point is the main factor that plays a huge role in selecting one. Which one of these big boys is affordable and can still make you feel like a boss? You have options like the Toyota Harrier, the Proton X90, the Chery Tiggo 8, and so on. However, there is a brand that is currently growing here: Jaecoo. I’m pretty sure you have seen a few Jaecoo J7s on the road.

If you didn’t already know, Jaecoo is the luxury division of Chery. Now, the naming of these models might be confusing, as Omoda is associated with the Chery Omoda 5 and E5. But just recently, Jaecoo unveiled the Omoda C9, a coupé SUV under the Jaecoo name and not Chery. This is because the C9 is meant to be a luxurious model, which Jaecoo handles.

Futuristic Design
Taking cues from the Omoda 5, the C9 is a more refined and mature-looking SUV. It also displays a futuristic and luxurious look that would definitely turn heads. The section that attracted me was the front design. It has a mean and commanding look that would definitely scare me on highways at night. It features a unique diamond matrix grille, sigma-inspired daytime running lights, and adaptive LED headlights.

Moving along to the side, you’ll find a sleek, distinctive look with lines and curves that complement the overall futuristic appearance. You will also notice the 20-inch multi-blade alloy wheels and high-performance Michelin tires. The rear features LED tail lights and a tailgate with an auto-sensing function.

Comfortable and Luxurious Interior
Step inside, and you’ll know why the C9 is under the Jaecoo brand. It features active ambient lighting, a 24.6-inch HD display, and a spacious centre console equipped with wireless mobile charging and air vents.

The cabin is enhanced with premium soft-touch leather finishes, three-zone air conditioning with an air quality system, and a fragrance dispenser for added comfort.

If you’re built slightly bigger than the average human, just like this writer, you won’t have to worry about space because, during our drive, I was as comfortable as ever. To enhance this comfort experience, both the driver and passenger seats are ventilated, allowing us to cool our bottom and back.

Powerful Petrol Engine
The C9 comes with the whole package, including power. It is powered by a 2.0 TGDI inline four-cylinder petrol engine, delivering 257hp and 400Nm of torque. Yes, that is a lot of power for an SUV coupé.

This amount of power can be put down on any terrain because the C9 comes with not only Eco, Normal, and Sport modes, but also Snow, Mud, Sand, and Off-road modes, which means you can probably get out of most unwanted situations.

Crazy Amount of Tech and Features
Once you start to mess around with all the options and features available on the 24.6-inch HD display, you’ll feel a little overwhelmed. Why? Because there are so many things to fiddle with. One of them is your different drive modes; then you have the HVAC, seat ventilation, fragrance drive mode memo, wiper sensitivity, maintenance tips, suspension linking to drive modes, and many more.

Thankfully, not everything is only accessible through the screen; you also get physical buttons. Yes, in a 2024 vehicle, there are buttons such as the air conditioning knobs, the sunroof controls, and the drive mode selection knob.

Gear changes can be done via a lever behind the steering wheel, similar to a German brand. You also get paddle shifters just for the fun of it and a push-to-start button.

You also get a decent amount of storage space at the center console, and the armrest that houses a cooled compartment can be opened up to store your cold drinks. Another cool feature is the two options given to open the doors. You get the standard manual lever that you pull to release the door and a button that activates the electrical door release.

Safety at Its Finest
Safety is at the forefront of the C9’s design, with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) providing real-time adjustments based on road conditions to ensure a comfortable ride. The SUV is also equipped with level 2.5 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), and Emergency Lane Keep Assist (ELKA). All these can be accessed through the main screen. It’s a good thing that we can adjust and set them to the way we want because not all of us use certain features.

You can also adjust the braking modes that function depending on the drive mode the SUV is in. There is also a built-in 540-degree around-view monitor and digital video recorder (DVR) for enhanced visibility of obstacles and blind spots.

Is the Ride Comfortable?
Comfort-wise, we have nothing to complain about because the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels are decent. The C9’s adaptive suspension system, featuring MacPherson struts at the front and a multilink setup at the rear, enhances the comfort levels while driving. You don’t really feel all the bumps and imperfections that our Malaysian roads have to offer.

However, the only thing that was bugging us the entire time was the harshness of the engine sound. Each time you come to a stop and step on the gas again, the roaring sound of the engine is noticeable in the cabin. It’s a minor issue, and if you have songs blasting in the background through the Sony speakers, you probably won’t notice it.

The braking, however, could be improved. The gap between the brake lever and the biting point takes some time, as we tested a bit of hard braking and slow braking. So if there is a need for you to hit the brakes, you may need to do it faster.

Rear seat passengers do not have to worry about comfort either; there is an ample amount of legroom and headroom available. You have air conditioning vents in the middle and at the side pillars. Because of how smooth the ride feels, you’ll be able to sleep like a baby during long drives.

How Affordable is Affordable?
The C9 has not been officially launched yet. According to Jaecoo, the official launch will take place by the end of this year. Compared to the C9’s competitors, in terms of features, technology, and pricing, there’s no question why you shouldn’t consider getting one. Jaecoo has opened registration of interest for the Omoda C9, with the 2WD variant priced at around RM185,000 and the AWD variant estimated at RM195,000.

In our books, that’s a really good price range for the package that the C9 offers.

Specifications:
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol four-cylinder
Power: 257hp
Torque: 400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed torque converter automatic
Suspension: MacPherson struts in front and multi-link setup at the back with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) adaptive suspension
Price (as tested): Estimated at RM195,000
We like: Futuristic look, spacious, luxurious, and comfortable interior
We don’t like: The braking system could be improved