BMW i4 vs Chery C5
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Chery C5 scores higher, 74 vs 73
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 27 Sep 2026, price 11 Nov 2026
BMW i4
26 of 27 standard · no option data · 1 no dataFrom
$88,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 210kW
- Energy use
- 16.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★4 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 470L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Chery C5
12 of 27 standard · no option data · 15 no dataFrom
$27,250
est. RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 108kW
- Economy
- 6.9 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 370L
Top CarSorted Score, 74 vs 73
Chery Australia offer: $28,990 drive-away (state not stated), ends 21 Dec 2026. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Ends 21 Dec 2026
$28,990 Drive-Away + $2,000 Fuel Card
Manufacturer's terms: Offer ends | 21 December 2026
Offer from Chery Australia, checked 9 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the manufacturer prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
$88,900RRP
- with the Chery C5's standard kit: $88,900 (nothing to add)
$27,250est. RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BMW i4 eDrive35
$88,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $388 a week in repayments ($88,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Chery C5 Urban
$27,250
Estimated RRP (the brand lists drive-away prices only), before on-road costs. Checked 11 Nov 2026
$29,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by Chery Australia
About $116 a week in repayments ($29,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The BMW i4 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Chery C5 does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$116/wk(≈$501/mo)
Estimate on the Chery C5 at $29,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW i4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
The Chery C5 has the higher ANCAP rating: 5 stars (2022) against 4 stars (2022), both tested 2022. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the BMW i4 and 87% for the Chery C5.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW i4, against 4 on the Chery C5.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW i4 and 7 in the Chery C5.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 8 of 10 key systems on the BMW i4 and 4 on the Chery C5.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW i4
- REC-005559 · published 10 Nov 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery may not meet specifications and could discharge or in some instances lead to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-005503 · published 23 Aug 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery does not meet specifications and may result in an electrical short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
Chery C5
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
80.7kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 180kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 180kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW i4 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Chery C5 gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW i4 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Chery C5. The Chery C5 counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW i4 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Chery C5 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the BMW i4 and 1-zone in the Chery C5.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW i4 uses a Electric producing 210kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6 seconds.
The Chery C5 responds with a Petrol making 108kW and 210Nm, paired to a 6-speed dual clutch driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The BMW i4 has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 108kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW i4 is 2.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW i4 measures 4,783mm long on a 2,856mm wheelbase, 432mm longer than the Chery C5 at 4,351mm (2,610mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW i4 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 470L in the BMW i4 and 370L in the Chery C5, giving the BMW i4 a 100L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the BMW i4's turning circle is 0.1 m tighter, 11.1 m against 11.2 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW i4 costs about $778 a year (16.2 kWh/100km) and fuel for the Chery C5 about $1,967 a year (6.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km (BMW i4) and 7 years / unlimited km (Chery C5).
Where each one leads
The BMW i4: more power (210kW against 108kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (470L against 370L).
The Chery C5: the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Verdict
Chery C5 scores higher, 74 vs 73
The Chery C5 scores 74 to the BMW i4's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: performance (BMW i4 ahead by 31 points), value (Chery C5 ahead by 21 points), safety (Chery C5 ahead by 10 points). Boot space with the seats up: 470L in the BMW i4, 370L in the Chery C5. Warranty: 5 years on the BMW i4, 7 on the Chery C5.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$116/wk(≈$501/mo)
Estimate on the Chery C5 at $29,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW i4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW i4 and Chery C5?
The Chery C5 is the cheapest at $27,250 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW i4 by $61,650.
Which is safest?
The Chery C5 has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars (2022).
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW i4 has the largest boot at 470L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW i4 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Chery C5 has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW i4 makes the most power at 210kW. The BMW i4 is quickest to 100km/h in 6s.
Track the BMW i4 & Chery C5
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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