Plug-in hybrid cars (the kind you can also charge from a socket, to be clear) are enjoying a positive moment. The latest sales figures for January 2026 tell the story: a growing range of models (and the Omoda 7 SHS-P plug-in hybrid is among the most recent arrivals) and the positive effect of recent regulations on company cars and fringe benefits. The result? The January market share for plug-in hybrids reached 8.7 per cent, up from 3.7 per cent in January 2025 (source: Unrae). And this while, also in January, sales of every other fuel type (petrol, diesel and LPG) showed a negative figure.

Omoda 7 SHS-P plug-in hybrid in brief

Let's take a quick look. First of all, it's an SUV — an increasingly popular choice among those deciding to change cars — with generous dimensions (4.66 metres in length, 1.87 metres in width) and an interior well suited to a family with a passion for animals (the boot can comfortably accommodate even a large dog) and sustainable tourism. Before going into detail, the first thing that strikes you when you get on board is the quality of the materials and an overall sense of refinement that dispels any clichés about Chinese cars. Among its unique features is a 15.6-inch screen that can slide sideways, so that even the passenger, during a stop, can access videos and games.

Comfort features abound: from ventilated seats to a head-up display that projects key travel information onto the windscreen, to a camera offering a 540-degree view around the car. In short, if you're looking for a spacious, comfortable car with a highly efficient hybrid system and low fuel consumption, the Omoda 7 SHS-P plug-in hybrid could be the right choice. Price: from €38,900, with an 8-year or 160,000 km warranty.

A petrol engine plus 2 electric motors

The exterior styling is different, but the specifications are the same as those of its near-twin, the Jaecoo 7 — the other plug-in hybrid from the Asian brand within the Chery group and one of the most accessible rechargeable hybrids in its category. But let's get straight to the technology, which is among the most advanced available: the hybrid system pairs a 1.5-litre, 143 hp, four-cylinder Miller-cycle petrol engine with 2 electric motors (the main one rated at 204 hp and a secondary unit rated at 82 hp that acts solely on charging) and an 18.3 kWh battery. The fly in the ointment is the weight (1,945 kg), always an enemy of efficiency.

The combined output is impressive (279 hp), with a declared total range of 1,200 kilometres and average emissions of 53 g/km. Of course, the electric-only range is considerably shorter: up to 92 kilometres on the so-called "combined" cycle — that is, in mixed use — and up to 128 kilometres in urban driving, where braking and deceleration increase energy regeneration, as with all hybrids. In an ideal home-to-work commute of up to 50–70 kilometres, it would be possible to eliminate fuel consumption and emissions entirely.

Omoda & Jaecoo's commitment to combating plastic and microplastic pollution

In addition to its investments in the electric transition of the car, since last July Omoda & Jaecoo has been a member of the Water Defenders Alliance, the alliance promoted by LifeGate that brings together companies, ports, institutions and individuals to defend the health of our waters from plastic pollution, by deploying three "plastic-catching" devices operating in the ports of Venezia, Rimini and Palermo.

Omoda 7: consumption and charging times

The "secret" behind the Omoda 7's efficiency lies in a hybrid system capable of maintaining virtually unchanged performance and efficiency regardless (almost…) of the battery's state of charge. This makes it possible to achieve consistently very low fuel consumption: with efficient driving, that means 14 or even 15 kilometres per litre of petrol. The hybrid system is very smooth, delivering a calm and relaxed driving experience in almost all conditions.

One might wonder whether it still makes sense to plug in the Omoda 7 SHS-P plug-in hybrid. The answer is yes. Because while it's true that efficiency remains consistently high, if you want to drive in electric mode for as long as possible, in silence, charging always helps you get the most out of the system. How long does it take? As always, it depends: from a household socket (3.3 kW) you'll need 6 hours; from a home wallbox it can take as little as 2 hours and 40 minutes; with costs varying according to your energy supply contract (ideally from renewable sources), it drops to just 20 minutes at a DC fast-charging station (up to 40 kW).

How to park your car using your smartphone

The top-of-the-range versions add to the already generous standard equipment features such as automatic parking (the car parks itself while you remain at the wheel, without touching the steering wheel or pedals) or remote parking — which allows you to park the car from your phone (while standing outside the vehicle, useful for those with a narrow garage, for example) — as well as a massage function for the front seats.

Also standard are the aforementioned sliding central display, voice recognition that allows all occupants to interact with the vehicle, active safety with over 19 ADAS driver assistance systems, sound-insulating glass, dual-zone automatic climate control, fabric and eco-leather upholstery, a heatable steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, and a convenient electric tailgate.