OMODA and JAECOO Begin a New Chapter in Kazakhstan: Highlights from the Almaty Test Drive

The official distributor of OMODA and JAECOO in Kazakhstan, part of Astana Motors, has announced a new phase of development for both brands in the country. To mark the occasion, five new models were officially presented at the Sokol Circuit in Almaty, where journalists and automotive bloggers were invited to put the vehicles to the test.

The stars of the event were the petrol-powered OMODA C5 PLUS and JAECOO J5, alongside the JAECOO J7 SHS (PHEV) plug-in hybrid. Two upcoming models were also on display: the OMODA C5 HEV hybrid and the all-electric JAECOO J5, both expected to arrive in December.

The vehicles are manufactured at the Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan plant in Almaty, with the first units already being delivered to dealerships across the country.

The event opened with a presentation by Alexander Abramov, Head of OMODA and JAECOO Distribution, who introduced the updated model lineup and outlined the brands’ plans for the coming year.

“Today, together with Astana Motors, we are opening a new chapter for OMODA and JAECOO in Kazakhstan. This marks a comprehensive relaunch of both brands and the beginning of their long-term development in the Kazakhstani market. Our key priority is to offer customers modern, affordable vehicles backed by high-quality aftersales service. We currently operate 15 dealerships across 12 cities, supported by six service partners. We have ambitious plans for the future, and by 2027, we aim to expand our network to 19 cities,” said Alexander Abramov, Head of OMODA and JAECOO Distribution.

Following the presentation, participants were divided into teams to test three crossovers across a karting circuit, a precision driving course and a dedicated off-road section.

Three Vehicles, Three Challenges

The driving courses and test sessions were prepared and supervised by a team led by Vladimir Borodin, a multiple-time Kazakhstan autocross and rally champion, International Master of Sport and founder of an advanced driving school.

The updated OMODA C5 PLUS took to the karting circuit, where participants assessed its acceleration, braking performance and cornering capabilities. The circuit’s frequent changes of direction provided an opportunity to experience the vehicle’s steering response, handling and stability through tight corners.

The refreshed crossover features a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, distinctive exterior styling and a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. The Premium trim offers a driver’s seat massage function, ventilated front seats, a 540-degree surround-view camera system and 19 advanced driver assistance functions (ADAS).

The JAECOO J5 faced a different challenge on the precision driving course. Here, the compact crossover was tested for manoeuvrability, visibility and ease of handling in confined spaces. The model comes equipped with a 13.2-inch infotainment display, dual-zone climate control, a rear-view camera and parking sensors. Its luggage compartment offers 480 litres of capacity.

The toughest obstacles were reserved for the JAECOO J7 SHS (PHEV). On the off-road course, the plug-in hybrid tackled steep climbs, descents and challenging cross-axle articulation obstacles, where wheels can lose contact with the ground. Such conditions put the vehicle’s electronic traction management systems to the test, particularly their ability to maintain traction when one or more wheels lose grip.

“When we designed the programme, we wanted to test the vehicles in conditions drivers might encounter in everyday life. The karting circuit allowed us to evaluate acceleration, braking and cornering performance, while the precision driving course tested visibility and manoeuvrability. For the JAECOO J7 SHS (PHEV), we prepared a demanding off-road challenge. I must admit, I initially doubted whether it could overcome a cross-axle obstacle on an incline. But it managed it successfully, so we decided to make the course even more difficult. We added cross-axle obstacles on both uphill and downhill sections, and once again, the vehicle performed exceptionally well. The JAECOO J7 SHS (PHEV) genuinely impressed me,” said Vladimir Borodin.

The JAECOO J7 SHS (PHEV) impressed both the instructors and test-drive participants. At the heart of its capabilities is the Super Hybrid System (SHS), which combines a petrol engine with an electric motor and automatically selects the most efficient operating mode. The crossover can run on electric power in urban conditions while benefiting from its hybrid powertrain on longer journeys.

Its claimed combined driving range exceeds 1,200 kilometres under the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) testing cycle. This is particularly relevant in Kazakhstan, where journeys between cities often cover hundreds of kilometres.

In addition to its extended driving range, the J7 SHS (PHEV) features a 14.8-inch infotainment display, a head-up display, a 540-degree surround-view camera system and 19 driver assistance functions. Another practical feature is Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, which allows the vehicle to supply up to 3.3 kW of power to external electrical devices.

Racing Against the Clock: Who Came Out on Top?

The excitement reached its peak during the final stage of the test-drive event. Three participants lined up for a timed precision driving competition behind the wheel of the JAECOO J5.
The cones were positioned so closely together that even the slightest mistake could cost a driver the victory. The challenge seemed straightforward: navigate the course as quickly and accurately as possible. However, as Vladimir Borodin observed, the moment the stopwatch started, even experienced drivers became nervous and began knocking over cones.

Time penalties were added for mistakes, forcing competitors to strike the perfect balance between speed and precision. The competition was intense, with every second counting.

Journalist Viktor Sukhorukov secured third place, while automotive blogger Maksat Karypzhanov finished second. Travel blogger Ulan Alimbek claimed victory. The winners received medals and gifts from Castrol.

“This was my first experience with OMODA and JAECOO. Of the three vehicles, the JAECOO J7 SHS (PHEV) impressed me the most. It handled off-road obstacles confidently, maintained excellent stability and kept the cabin remarkably quiet, even over rough terrain. Another highlight was the precision driving competition in the JAECOO J5. The crossover proved agile, responsive and comfortable to drive. It was behind the wheel of this model that I achieved the fastest time and won the competition,” said travel blogger Ulan Alimbek.

OMODA and JAECOO in Kazakhstan

OMODA and JAECOO are among the younger, rapidly expanding automotive brands. In July 2026, a technical licensing agreement was signed in Shanghai, marking a new stage in the localisation of OMODA and JAECOO vehicle production in Kazakhstan.

Local manufacturing will enable the brands to expand their model range and offer customers more competitively priced vehicles.

Prices for the three new models in Kazakhstan start at KZT 9,490,000 for the JAECOO J5, KZT 9,690,000 for the OMODA C5 PLUS and KZT 12,790,000 for the JAECOO J7 SHS (PHEV) plug-in hybrid.