Auto China 2026: Malaysia-bound Omoda C4 SHS-H B-SUV previewed

KUALA LUMPUR: For Auto China 2026, Wuhu-rooted automaking giant Chery Group saw its Omoda | Jaecoo premium sub-brand showcase two relatively new models during Press Day at its booth in Beijing. One of which is the Omoda C4 SHS-H pictured.

Yes, this isn’t an entirely ‘new’ offering from the sub-brand as the strikingly styled sub-compact crossover already debuted late last year. What’s new here is both the fact that it was shown for the first time primed with parent Chery Group’s tried and tested Super Hybrid System (SHS-H) electrified powertrain – mirroring what its ‘cousin’ the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV has – and, critically, confirmed plans for it to enter the Malaysian market.

As a refresher, the Omoda C4 – known as the Omoda 3 prior to being renamed – is geared to rival the likes of the Proton X50 (Geely Binyue/Coolray). It will also perhaps complement its existing but un-electrified Jaecoo J5 stablemate in Malaysia’s fiercely contested sub-compact SUV segment. We’ll break the first bad news here, that its exact launch timeline wasn’t put forth, though an early 2027 launch appears likely.

Should things pan out as such, expect the Omoda 4 making landfall packing the same combination of a 1.5-litre 4-cyl petrol mill augmented by an electric motor plus compact battery setup as the Tiggo Cross Hybrid, outputting a combined 204PS and 310Nm. This should also come paired with a single-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT).

Hybrid variant aside, the Omoda C4 should arrive locally, packing the choice of an un-electrified heart too. This will also be shared with the Tiggo Cross mentioned, specifically the Turbo variant and comprising a 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbocharged petrol mill outputting 147PS and 210Nm to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch (DCT) box.

As for the remaining specs, the model previewed in Beijing lives up to expectations typically associated with this sub-brand. Amenities brimmed aboard include a ‘gaming-inspired’ dash design housing digital instrumentation and portrait-oriented touch infotainment displays, followed by trick all-LED lighting plus snazzy 18-inch alloy wheels for its exterior, not forgetting a slew of advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features.

That aside, we can certainly also expect Omoda | Jaecoo Malaysia to provide adequate long-term warranties over said setup. Need a yard stick? The Omoda C4’s Chery-badged ‘twin’ covered by a 7-year or 200,000KM base vehicle warranty, whilst the hybrid guise specifically gains an added 8-year or 160,000KM  hybrid battery, electric motor and control unit warranties.

The only bit left then is price, to which we weren’t clued in on either. Given parent Chery’s pattern at pricing its products – even amongst its own ranks – competitively, expect the Omoda 4 to command a premium versus the Tiggo Cross whilst not being too far off the Jaecoo J5. Care to take a guess or perhaps share what’s a fair figure for this in the comments below?

Also read: Auto China 2026: Omoda C7 shown again, set to enter Malaysia this year