► Omoda 3 renamed to Omoda 4
► Striking new design language paves new direction
► It’s inspired by lightning and starships. Yes, really
A last-minute name change is nothing new in the automotive world, but rarely quite so late as the Omoda 3 becoming the Omoda 4. I only learned of the change while entering the venue of its reveal.
Omoda showed off the 3 as a new, more striking compact SUV back in April 2025, but now in production form it’s been renamed to the Omoda 4 on account of it having a stretched wheelbase, required to cater to customer needs according to top executives, and leaving space for additional models beneath.
Revealed at an event close to Omoda’s parent company Chery’s headquarters in Wuhu, China, the Omoda 4 has been confirmed for Europe, with a UK introduction likely in October 2026.
It will also be joined by the Omoda 4 Ultra, set to be revealed on October 20, which will be a more aggressive, bodykitted-up version, albeit with few mechanical differences.
Previewing a bold new design direction for Omoda with a more angular and aggressive design language called ‘Cyber Mecha’ than its current 5 and 9 models offer, the Chinese firm is looking to appeal to a younger audience with the new car.
The 4.4m-long crossover features striking LEDs at both the front and rear, which are said to replicate lightning, along with textured wheelarch surrounds, making it look taller than it actually is. It also says it’s taken inspiration from the gaming world.
Arturo Arino, lead designer of the Omoda 4 and design director at Chery International, said: ‘The core idea [of the Omoda 4] is a crossover from the future, which is directed at young people.
‘Many cars are becoming more mundane and looking the same, we wanted to do something more edgy, even if it might not be for everyone.’
The 4.4m-long crossover features striking LEDs at both the front and rear, which are said to replicate lightning, along with textured wheelarch surrounds, making it look taller than it actually is.
Moving inside, its designers have been inspired by starships when creating the interior, with red wraparound LED interior lighting and a high-set centre console feature. One of the most unusual features is a red flap that has to be flicked up in order to be able to press the engine start button, not dissimilar to that on a Lamborghini Urus.
A large touchscreen unsurprisingly dominates the interior but there are physical buttons for getting straight to the climate menu, as well as front and rear windscreen demisters.
Confirmed as a new ‘global’ model, the new Omoda will be sold with ICE, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains, depending on region.
Full specs are not yet confirmed, and nor which versions will come to the UK, but hybrid and electric are expected. A version with Omoda’s plug-in hybrid SHS (super hybrid system) powertrain is more than likely, bringing a far longer electric driving range than most European rivals.
The answer depends on who you ask. The official press line is that Omoda wanted the name change to be a surprise, but it likely boils down to the concept version evolving into a more spacious car courtesy of a longer wheelbase, and leaving space for smaller models beneath
Shawn Xu, CEO of Omoda says that it came as a result to listening to what owners wanted.
‘We make the car with our customers, Omoda 4 better meets their demands. We want our customers to come here to tell us what they like, what they don’t like.
‘With this information we can improve ourselves. Half a year after showing the car [the Omoda 3] we had so much more feedback that it wasn’t suitable for this car, instead the Omoda 4 is better so we adopted that.’
The Omoda 4 will arrive as the fourth model in the Chinese firm’s successful UK line-up, following on from the popular 5, 9, and after the Omoda 7, due to arrive as a more spacious family SUV in the first quarter of 2026. The launch of this Omoda 4 will likely follow six months later, probably coinciding with September 2026’s new plate introduction.
New cars editor, car reviewer, news hound, avid car detailer
By Ted Welford
New cars editor for CAR and Parkers. Loves a car auction. Enjoys making things shiny