Tesla Model Y vs Omoda E5: should you save 拢10,000 and buy a Chinese car?
May 18, 2025 by Jamie Edkins
There are loads of new Chinese brands setting up shop in the UK, one of them being Omoda. It鈥檚 launched on our shores with two SUVs, the 5 and the all-electric E5.
The latter looks particularly interesting, because on paper it鈥檚 a tempting proposition. It鈥檚 well-equipped, has a nice-looking interior and it鈥檚 cheap. A Tesla Model Y starts from 拢45,000, while this Omoda will cost you just 拢33,000.
But is the E5 worth considering, or should you just splash the cash on a Tesla? We鈥檙e going to compare the stats to find out.
Electric Range and Performance
Omoda E5
The Omoda has a 204hp motor paired to a 61kWh battery, delivering a decent 257 miles of range. It鈥檚 front-wheel drive, and 0-60mph takes 7.2 seconds. It鈥檒l handle your commute and shopping runs without breaking a sweat 鈥 just don鈥檛 expect fireworks when you put your foot down. Charging speeds top out at 80kW, meaning a 30鈥80% fill takes around 28 minutes.
Tesla Model Y
The Model Y is much more impressive. Even the base model has 311 miles of range, with pricier versions stretching to 387 miles. Power starts at 275hp and goes up to 370hp. And with charging speeds of up to 250kW, you can add 150 miles in 15 minutes at a Supercharger while grabbing a coffee. It鈥檚 properly fast too 鈥 0-60mph takes 5.6 seconds even in the basic version.
The Tesla doesn鈥檛 just edge it here 鈥 it absolutely wallops the Omoda. More range, much quicker, faster charging. But is the extra 54 miles of range worth 拢10,000? If you don鈥檛 do many long-distance journeys then probably not.
Interior Space and Practicality
Omoda E5
Despite its SUV appearance, the Omoda E5 offers interior space more akin to a hatchback. The 380-litre boot is okay for the weekly shop but gets embarrassed by pretty much every SUV in the class. Rear seats are tight, headroom鈥檚 limited, and fitting a bulky child seat might require some effort and swear words.
Tesla Model Y
The Model Y is slightly larger than the Omoda E5, and it鈥檚 way more practical. It has a massive 854-litre boot, as well as a large storage area under the bonnet. The rear seats also offer limo-like space with a flat floor, wide doors, and even their own 9.0-inch screen for air-con and seat heating.
This one鈥檚 a no-contest. The Tesla鈥檚 interior is the SUV equivalent of a TARDIS, while the Omoda鈥檚 trying to convince you that 鈥渃osy鈥 is a good thing.
Standard Equipment
Omoda E5
The E5 punches above its weight for standard equipment. Even the base trim gets LED lights, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping tech, and a twin-screen setup, although the software is pretty frustrating to use. The posher 鈥楴oble鈥 spec throws in heated faux-leather seats, a Sony stereo, and a sunroof 鈥 not bad for a car that can be yours for under 拢29,000 with 莲花直播 discounts.
Tesla Model Y
It鈥檚 all about that 15.4-inch screen in the Model Y. You don鈥檛 get Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but Tesla鈥檚 software is slick and pretty easy to use. However, it forces you to do basic stuff 鈥 like opening the glovebox or adjusting mirrors 鈥 via touchscreen menus. It鈥檚 smart, but it can also be a faff to use.
The Omoda feels like a bargain here. It gives you a load of goodies without asking for much. The Tesla is flashier and more premium, but also fiddlier.
Final Verdict: Is the Tesla Model Y Worth 拢10k More?
If you want an electric SUV which is spacious, well-equipped, good to drive and quick then the Tesla Model Y earns its price tag. It鈥檚 not flawless 鈥 the tech can be annoying, but it鈥檚 the better electric SUV by a mile.
If you鈥檙e just after a well-equipped, no-nonsense EV that won鈥檛 hurt your bank account, the Omoda E5 is worth considering, however there are other electric cars which do it better. The Cupra Born is around the same price and offers similar practicality, but is much nicer to drive. You can also get the cavernous Skoda Enyaq for similar money.
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