Inside, there’s the obligatory big touchscreen, in landscape format and perched atop the dashboard. The Android-based system is far from the best. You can get to the main functions (which include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) easily from the home screen, but there’s no ‘back’ button, the graphics are a little grainy and it all feels a bit aftermarket. That said, there are software updates due and that may yet change the system’s layout, so we will have to wait before passing final judgement.
Otherwise, my test car was in the higher of the two specs. Even the basic Comfort gets heated and electrically adjusted seats, part-leatherette and – get this – a cooled wireless smartphone charging pad, to keep your phone from overheating. The upper Noble trim adds a sunroof, a 360deg parking camera and comically unnecessary red brake calipers.
Space in the back seats is pretty decent, certainly better than in the Juke, but foot space beneath the front seats is poor and any passengers more than 6ft tall may find the ceiling a little close for comfort.
More disappointing is the boot, which comes in at a paltry 307 litres. That’s 150-odd litres less than in the smaller Puma, which seems a vast disparity. But I reckon Omoda hasn’t factored in underfloor storage, because the boot doesn’t look that bad to me. It’s a bit shallow and certainly not as big as the Qashqai’s, but you will get your big shop in there, no worries. And you get a space-saver spare wheel too, which is nice.
