The Omoda C9 by Jaecoo is set to be launched in Malaysia early December next month, and it could very well be the most well-equipped SUV under the RM200,000 price point for our local market. After all, it has a number of high-end features like Continuous Damping Control (CDC) adaptive suspension, 540-degree camera, and “Level 2.5” ADAS.

Ahead of the Omoda C9’s launch next month, I had the opportunity to drive the premium SUV through a series of tests. While the course isn’t particularly elaborate – it’s set in a car park, after all – it does give me an idea on the ride, handling, and performance of the C9, which are surprisingly good for an SUV this size. If you’re curious, it measures 4,775mm long, 1,920mm wide with a wheelbase of 2,800mm.

Let’s start with what I consider to be the Omoda C9’s strong suit: ride quality. The test circuit included a course to demonstrate how the CDC adaptive suspension responds to uneven roads, and it does a good job of minimising the transmission of vibrations to the cabin. It’s worth noting that adaptive suspension is usually reserved for higher-end, more expensive cars, and the fact that it’s offered by the C9 at this price point is really a noteworthy addition.

And that is a good segue to the estimated pricing of the Omoda C9, which is set between RM185,000 for the 2WD model to RM195,000 for the higher-end AWD version; the latter is the model I drove. At these price points, the locally assembled C9 is certainly positioned as a premium offering that looks to offer great value for money.

Okay, let’s get back to the driving experience of the Omoda C9. Handling wise, I didn’t expect the SUV to do particularly well in this area, given the sheer size of the car. Well, surprisingly enough, it still feels quite nimble as I drove it through the slalom course and figure 8 test. Of course, there’s noticeable body roll – this is still an SUV – but I do feel quite confident to drive the C9 more…spiritedly.

And then there’s the acceleration test of the Omoda C9. Under the hood of the SUV is a beefy 2.0L turbo engine that outputs 261PS and 400Nm of torque; drive is sent to the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. This is quite different from the dual-clutch gearbox found in the China market.

With the throttle pedal fully depressed, the Omoda C9 does take a bit of time to pick up the pace. But once it does, it offers a nice burst of acceleration out of the 2.0L turbocharged engine. While I was not exactly reaching highway speeds, I do think the C9 has more than enough power to comfortably overtake cars on the highway.

Immediately after the acceleration test, we were required to hit the brakes hard to…well, test the braking performance of the Omoda C9. Even though the brake pedal feels a tad too spongey for my liking, the braking distance of the SUV does feel quite short, which is great.

Beyond its driving dynamics, the Omoda C9 is really a well-equipped SUV. It has 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels wrapped with 245/50 Michelin e-Primacy tyres – including the spare wheel – a 14-speaker Sony audio system, a panoramic sunroof, as well as a three-cartridge fragrance system. Yes, you can select from three different scents: Natural, Cure, and Sport. Curious names, to be sure.

To recap, the Omoda C9 by Jaecoo is expected to be launched sometime in early December next month. Deliveries of the SUV will start in January 2025 for the higher-end AWD model, while the 2WD variant will be delivered quite a bit later in May to June 2025.