Which Chinese SUV Should You Choose for Around 540 Million VND?

In a fascinating development, Geely Coolray and Omoda C5, two Chinese automotive newcomers, have entered the highly competitive SUV segment in Vietnam with a bang. On the same day in late March, Geely Coolray was officially launched with a starting price of 538 million VND, while Omoda C5 introduced a new Luxury variant priced at 539 million VND with promotional discounts, effectively positioning it below the 500 million VND mark.

With this strategic move, these two contenders have instantly become the most affordable offerings in the B-segment SUV category, gearing up for a fierce battle against established Japanese and Korean rivals.

Omoda C5’s Youthful Vibes vs Geely Coolray’s Robust Appeal

Positioned within the B-segment SUV category, the Geely Coolray measures 4,330 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width, and 1,609 mm in height. Meanwhile, the Omoda C5 boasts slightly larger dimensions at 4,400 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width, and 1,588 mm in height.

While the Omoda C5 takes a slight lead in terms of overall size, its coupe-style SUV design results in a marginally lower height compared to its Chinese counterpart.

The Omoda C5 Luxury maintains the same front-end design as the higher-tier variants, featuring a large unframed grille that dominates the fascia. This distinctive grille also stands out on the Geely Coolray due to its angular shape and bold red accent.

Although the Geely Coolray Standard variant omits all front sensors, it retains LED lighting technology for the headlamps. On the other hand, the Omoda C5 Luxury offers LED daytime running lights but combines them with halogen projector headlights, and it also lacks a front camera.

Overall, the Omoda C5 exudes a youthful and sporty vibe with its unconventional grille design, while the Geely Coolray opts for a simpler yet robust appearance, reminiscent of American-style SUVs.

Both models feature 17-inch wheels, but the Omoda C5 Luxury’s design leans more towards a sporty aesthetic. In contrast, the Geely Coolray Standard’s five-spoke dual design appears rather plain in comparison.

A rear spoiler is a standard feature on both Chinese B-segment SUVs, and both are equipped with a rearview camera and LED taillights.

Viewed from the rear, the Omoda C5 continues its youthful and sporty theme with LED taillights integrated into a glass strip spanning the width of the vehicle. On the Geely Coolray Standard, the connection between the taillights is a chrome strip with a subtly embossed Geely logo.

Interior: A Balance Between Cost and Comfort

To achieve their competitive price points, both the Geely Coolray Standard and the Omoda C5 Luxury had to make some concessions in terms of interior appointments.

The Omoda C5 Luxury sports partial leather and fabric sports seats, while the Geely Coolray Standard comes with fully fabric-upholstered standard seats. Both models offer manually adjustable driver and passenger seats.

Both models are equipped with a sporty three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel, although the Omoda C5 Luxury’s variant is wrapped in leather. The Omoda C5 Luxury retains the dual-screen setup, while the Geely Coolray Standard maintains the original separated screen design and dimensions.

The gear selector in the Geely Coolray Standard remains electronic, whereas the Omoda C5 Luxury opts for a straight shifter, marking one of the most noticeable changes in the latter’s cabin.

Despite their entry-level positioning, both models include cruise control and speed limit functions with physical buttons on the steering wheel for easy adjustment.

The Engine Concession for Affordability

While the Geely Coolray Standard shares the same 1.5L turbocharged engine as its higher-tier siblings, the Omoda C5 Luxury is equipped with a naturally aspirated 1.5L gasoline engine, which is one of the most significant trade-offs to achieve its competitive price of 539 million VND, placing it among the most affordable options in the B-segment SUV category.

Consequently, in this department, the Omoda C5 Luxury falls behind its countryman rival.

The Omoda C5 Luxury’s engine delivers a maximum output of 111 horsepower and a peak torque of 138 Nm, whereas the Geely Coolray Standard boasts an impressive 177 horsepower and 255 Nm of torque from its turbocharged engine.

Additionally, the Omoda C5 Luxury forgoes the driving mode selection feature offered in the Geely Coolray Standard, which allows drivers to choose between Sport, Normal, and Eco modes.

A New Price War in the Making

At the launch event, Omoda & Jaecoo Vietnam announced a limited promotional discount for the first 555 customers of the Omoda C5 Luxury, bringing the price below the 500 million VND threshold.

This aggressive pricing strategy not only undercuts competitors in the B-segment SUV category but also rivals SUVs in the smaller A-segment, such as the Hyundai Venue (499-539 million VND), Toyota Raize (498 million VND, increasing to 510 million VND next month), and the Kia Sonet, priced between 539-624 million VND.

With starting prices before discounts of 539 million VND for the Omoda C5 and 538 million VND for the Geely Coolray, these models are already among the most accessible options in the urban SUV segment, alongside the Mazda CX-3 (starting at 522 million VND) and the MG ZS (from 518 million VND).

For context, the best-selling gasoline-powered B-segment SUV, the Mitsubishi Xforce, starts at 599 million VND, matching the starting prices of the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta. The Toyota Yaris Cross is offered in two variants, starting at 650 million VND, while the recently launched Haval Jolion enters the market with a base price of 669 million VND.

With their extremely competitive pricing strategies, the Omoda C5 and Geely Coolray are poised to disrupt the market and challenge established Korean and Japanese brands.

The Mitsubishi Xforce is currently the top-selling gasoline-powered B-segment SUV in Vietnam. Photo: Vinh Phuc.

While it’s too early to draw definitive conclusions, the arrival of the Geely Coolray and Omoda C5 has undoubtedly brought the average price of B-segment SUVs closer to the 500 million VND mark, forcing other automakers to carefully consider their pricing strategies moving forward.

Chinese automotive brands may not yet be able to compete on equal footing with their more established counterparts in Vietnam, but they are successfully creating a quiet revolution in the market by offering incredibly attractive pricing.

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