Look out, Kia EV3 and BYD Atto 3! New 2025 Chery Omoda 3 with electric, petrol and plug-in hybrid SUV variants under review for Australia

Chery could have a BYD Atto 3 and Kia EV3 rival in Australia shortly following the Omoda 3’s reveal at the Shanghai auto show last week.

According to Autocar UK, the small SUV with an optional electric, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or petrol powertrain has been confirmed for the UK – a fellow right-hand drive market.

Chery’s local arm told CarsGuide it is interested in the model for the Australia market, although it is yet to confirm a timeframe for its release.

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The Omoda 3 represents a new design language, with the Chinese company opting for angular lines and a shark-nose grille, giving it the impression of a $400,000 Lamborghini Urus, despite the Omoda 3’s likely starting price nearer the $35,000 mark.

It lines up at 4420mm long, making it 50mm longer than the current Omoda 5. According to Autocar, the new Omoda 5 will be stretched for its next generation.

Exact powertrain specifications remain unclear at this stage, although it is likely to inherit Chery’s Super Hybrid System currently underpinning the new Jaecoo J7, with which it shares a platform.

It combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which makes 105kW, with a 150kW electric motor and a single-speed transmission. A 18.3kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, meanwhile, provides 90km of electric range.

2025 Chery Omoda 3 (Image: paultan.org)

Inside, the Omoda 3 adopts what Chery is calling a “starship cockpit” that features a portrait-oriented central display and a smaller landscape-oriented digital driver’s display.

The Lamborghini inspiration continues with what appears to be a centre-console mounted push-button start with a red switch cover.

Customers will also reportedly be able to modify their Omoda 3 with an “official racing pack” that adds body wraps.

Chery Australia announced recently that it would split off Omoda into its own sub brand, sitting alongside the more premium Jaecoo.

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Chery has had serious sales success in Australia this year with the brand clocking some 6057 sales to March – an increase of 216 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Its new Tiggo 4 – a rival to the MG ZS, Kia Stonic and Toyota Yaris Cross – has led the charge, registering 3338 sales so far this year.

The announcement of the Omoda 3 follows news of Chery’s global plans to launch 19 new hybrid models across this year.