BMW i4 vs Chery E5
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Chery E5 scores higher, 79 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 8 Sep 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 E5
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$34,550
est. RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 155kW
- Energy use
- 13.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 300L
Top CarSorted Score, 79 vs 73
Chery Australia offer: 0.7% finance, 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
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.
WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.
Finance offers are the manufacturer's or its financier's own, shown as they published them on the date given. CarSorted is not a credit provider, does not hold an Australian Credit Licence, does not arrange finance and gives no credit assistance or advice. A rate shown is the rate the manufacturer advertised, not a rate available to you: approval, fees, charges and the rate you are offered depend on the lender's assessment and its terms and conditions. Read the full offer on the manufacturer's page before relying on it.
Chery E5: we're still completing kerb weight, ground clearance and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$88,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$34,550est. 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 E5 Ultimate
$34,550
Estimated RRP (the brand lists drive-away prices only), before on-road costs. Checked 8 Sept 2026
$37,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by Chery Australia
About $153 a week in repayments ($37,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
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 ≈$153/wk(≈$661/mo)
Estimate on the Chery E5 at $37,990 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 E5 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 E5.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW i4, against 5 on the Chery E5.
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 E5.
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 5 on the Chery E5.
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 E5
- REC-006696 · published 13 Aug 2026Due to a software issue, the vehicle’s Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) may not activate.Year range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
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.
How long to charge
58.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 130kW 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 E5 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW i4 stands out with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, ventilated seats and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Chery E5. The Chery E5 counters with Sony audio. 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 E5 offers synthetic leather.
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 E5 responds with a Electric making 155kW and 288Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.6 seconds.
The BMW i4 has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 155kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW i4 is 1.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 67kWh (BMW i4) vs 58.9kWh (Chery E5), giving WLTP ranges of 527km and 430km. DC fast charging peaks at 180kW (BMW i4) vs 130kW (Chery E5).
Space & Comfort
The BMW i4 measures 4,783mm long on a 2,856mm wheelbase, 359mm longer than the Chery E5 at 4,424mm (2,610mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW i4 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 470L in the BMW i4 and 300L in the Chery E5, giving the BMW i4 a 170L 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 electricity for the Chery E5 about $634 a year (13.2 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $144 a year less for the Chery E5.
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km (BMW i4) and 7 years / unlimited km (Chery E5). Capped-price servicing: no data (BMW i4), 7 years (Chery E5).
Where each one leads
The BMW i4: more power (210kW against 155kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (470L against 300L).
The Chery E5: the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($634 a year against $778).
The Verdict
Chery E5 scores higher, 79 vs 73
The Chery E5 scores 79 to the BMW i4's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 9 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: value (Chery E5 ahead by 21 points), energy efficiency (Chery E5 ahead by 20 points), performance (BMW i4 ahead by 16 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Chery E5 costs about $144 less (13.2 kWh/100km against 16.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 470L in the BMW i4, 300L in the Chery E5. Warranty: 5 years on the BMW i4, 7 on the Chery E5.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$153/wk(≈$661/mo)
Estimate on the Chery E5 at $37,990 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 E5?
The Chery E5 is the cheapest at $34,550 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW i4 by $54,350.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BMW i4 has the most range at 430km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW i4 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 180kW.
Which is safest?
The Chery E5 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 E5 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 E5
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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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