Which Omoda 7 SHS-P should you lease?

The Omoda 7 SHS-P has quickly established itself as one of the UK’s more interesting plug-in hybrid SUVs available to lease. Combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with Omoda's Super Hybrid System, it delivers 201bhp, 365Nm of torque, up to 56 miles of electric-only driving and a claimed total range of more than 700 miles.

Those headline figures remain the same whichever version you choose, but with three trim levels now available, Knight, Noble and Noble Tech, the question for lease customers is which one offers the best balance of equipment and value.

Knight: generously equipped from the outset

The entry-level Knight hardly feels like an entry-level model. In fact, it arrives with much of the equipment many rivals reserve for higher trims.

Standard specification includes 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a 540-degree panoramic camera system and wireless phone charging. Four ISOFIX mounting points also make it a particularly family-friendly option.

The overall impression is of a car that already covers most of the essentials. For many lease customers, particularly those more interested in the hybrid powertrain and long equipment list than luxury extras, the Knight may prove all the Omoda 7 they need.

Noble: the sweet spot of the range

Move up the range to the Noble specification and the focus shifts towards comfort and refinement.

The larger 20-inch alloy wheels make the exterior look a little more upmarket, while a panoramic sunroof, Sony 12-speaker audio system, multi-colour ambient lighting and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror help lift the interior experience. Heated and ventilated front seats are added, along with electric adjustment for both front occupants, a power tailgate and Omoda's unusual in-car fragrance system, allowing drivers to choose from multiple scents and intensity settings.

These are the sorts of features drivers tend to appreciate every day rather than simply showing off to passengers on a test drive. As a result, the Noble feels like the strongest value proposition in the line-up and is likely to be the version that appeals to the broadest range of lease customers.

Noble Tech: technology takes centre stage

At the top of the range sits Noble Tech, which takes the already well-equipped Noble and adds two headline-grabbing technology features.

The first is Remote Parking Assistance, allowing the vehicle to carry out certain parking manoeuvres while the driver remains outside the car using the key fob. For anyone regularly squeezing into tight parking spaces, it could prove genuinely useful.

The second is a sliding version of the 15.6-inch infotainment display. Rather than remaining fixed in the centre of the dashboard, the screen can move across towards the front passenger, creating a more personalised in-car experience and making it easier for occupants to interact with navigation, entertainment and vehicle settings.

Whether those features justify the additional cost will largely come down to personal preference, but they certainly help the Noble Tech stand out from other plug-in hybrid SUVs in this sector.

Which version offers the best value?

One of the Omoda 7 SHS-P's biggest strengths is that there isn't really a poor choice in the range.

The Knight arrives with a specification level that would have been considered premium territory not that long ago, while still delivering the same plug-in hybrid capability as the more expensive models.

However, if budget allows the Noble looks like the sweet spot. The panoramic roof, upgraded audio system, heated and ventilated seats, power tailgate and additional comfort features all feel like worthwhile upgrades that are likely to enhance everyday ownership.

The Noble Tech undoubtedly brings the wow factor and showcases some genuinely innovative technology, but the Noble strikes the most convincing balance between equipment, comfort and value.

For lease customers looking for a great deal on a well-equipped plug-in hybrid SUV with impressive electric range, strong real-world usability and a lengthy standard equipment list, the Omoda 7 SHS-P makes a compelling case whichever trim level ends up parked on the driveway.