Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Read more

If there's one thing Chinese car makers aren't afraid of, it's changing things fast. Barely a year after launching the Omoda 9 in the UK, the Chery International brand has already given its flagship SUV a refresh, making a series of tweaks designed to make the plug-in hybrid even more comfortable, more refined and better to drive.

However, the headline-grabber is the new range-topping Omoda 9 Black Noble model, echoing sister brand Jaecoo’s recent announcement of the Jaecoo 7 Black Luxury edition.

As the name suggests, this is an Omoda 9 that's gone all-in on the dark side, with matte Iced Jasper Black paint, black alloy wheels, black roof rails and black exterior trim replacing the chrome details of the standard car. Inside, the theme continues with black suede detailing, giving the range-topper a much more understated – but arguably more purposeful – look.

The Omoda 9 Black Noble gets matte Iced Jasper Black paint, black alloy wheels, black roof rails and black exterior trim (Omoda)

The Black Noble joins the line-up at £46,495, while the standard Omoda 9 SHS-P starts from £44,995.

The visual makeover is only part of the story, though; the biggest changes are the ones owners will notice when driving their car, not just looking at it. Omoda has focused on making the cabin feel a little more luxurious, adding front massage seats, a new suede headlining and extra electric adjustment for both front seats. There’s now eight-way electric adjustment for the driver, plus electrically adjustable thigh support, and six-way adjustment for the front passenger. A heated windscreen has been added, too, making frosty mornings less of a chore.

Omoda’s engineering team hasn't been standing still either. The 9’s suspension has been retuned and is said to work with the car's Continuous Damping Control system to respond more effectively to changing road conditions, while revised steering software promises improved feel through the wheel. The aim is a smoother ride, better body control and a more relaxed driving experience whether you're crawling through town or covering hundreds of motorway miles.

Under the skin, the powertrain remains unchanged. The Omoda 9 continues with the company's SHS-P plug-in hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 34.46kWh battery to produce a combined 443bhp and 516lb ft of torque. That's enough to dispatch the 0-62mph sprint in just 4.9 seconds.

Performance isn't the only headline figure. Omoda says its biggest SUV can travel for more than 700 miles on a full tank and battery, with up to 90 miles possible on electric power alone. Official CO2 emissions start from 38g/km.

One of the more practical improvements for 2026 comes in the form of a more powerful Vehicle-to-Load system. It now delivers up to 6.6kW, allowing owners to power a wider range of electrical equipment directly from the car, whether that's camping gear, power tools or other appliances away from home.

The Omoda 9 Black Noble gets the brand's most luxurious interior yet, including massaging seats (Omoda)

Victor Zhang, managing director of Omoda UK, said: "As our presence in the UK continues to grow, it's important that our flagship evolves with it. The Omoda 9 SHS-P already sets the tone for the brand in terms of design, technology and comfort, and these Model Year 2026 updates strengthen that with meaningful improvements in the areas customers experience every day. The Black Noble further builds on this, introducing a more distinctive visual identity for Omoda 9 and giving customers an alternative take on the flagship that feels more tailored and contemporary."

The updated flagship arrives as Omoda (and sister brand Jaecoo) continue their rapid expansion in Britain. The two brands now have a network of 146 dealers across the UK and have recently expanded their SUV line-up with the arrival of the new Omoda 7, which slots neatly between the smaller Omoda 5 and the flagship Omoda 9.

All Omoda 9 models benefit from dynamic tweaks set to make the car more comfortable (Omoda)

The company says the two brands achieved a combined 4.58 per cent share of the UK new car market in June, underlining the remarkable pace of their growth since arriving in Britain.

Both versions of the updated Omoda 9 are available to order now, with first customer deliveries expected to begin in August. Every car continues to be covered by a seven-year, 100,000-mile vehicle warranty, while the plug-in hybrid battery is protected by a separate eight-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty.