BYD Seal vs Chery E5

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the BYD Seal at 5 stars (2023) and the Chery E5 at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2023 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the BYD Seal and 87% for the Chery E5, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BYD Seal, 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 7 in the BYD Seal and 7 in the Chery E5.

Recalls 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.

Feature Showdown

The BYD Seal features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-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 BYD Seal stands out with V2L and Dynaudio audio — features our data doesn't list for the Chery E5. The Chery E5 counters with heated front seats and Sony audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the BYD Seal gets leather upholstery while the Chery E5 offers synthetic leather.

Drivetrain

The BYD Seal uses a Electric producing 230kW and 360Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 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 BYD Seal has the clear power advantage at 230kW vs 155kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD Seal is 1.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 82.6kWh (BYD Seal) vs 58.9kWh (Chery E5), giving WLTP ranges of 570km and 430km. DC fast charging peaks at 150kW (BYD Seal) vs 130kW (Chery E5).

Space & Comfort

The BYD Seal measures 4,800mm long on a 2,920mm wheelbase, 376mm longer than the Chery E5 at 4,424mm (2,610mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Seal generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 400L in the BYD Seal and 300L in the Chery E5, giving the BYD Seal a 100L advantage.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Chery E5's turning circle is 0.2 m tighter, 11.2 m against 11.4 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 BYD Seal costs about $816 a year (17 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 $182 a year less for the Chery E5.

Warranty: 6 years / 150k km (BYD Seal) and 7 years / Unlimited (Chery E5). Capped-price servicing: no data (BYD Seal), 7 years (Chery E5).

Where each one leads

The BYD Seal: more power (230kW against 155kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (400L against 300L).

The Chery E5: the longer warranty (7 years against 6) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($634 a year against $816).

The Verdict

Chery E5 scores higher, 79 vs 77

The Chery E5 scores 79 to the BYD Seal's 77 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 10 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Chery E5 ahead by 26 points), performance (BYD Seal ahead by 16 points), value (Chery E5 ahead by 6 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Chery E5 costs about $182 less (13.2 kWh/100km against 17 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 400L in the BYD Seal, 300L in the Chery E5. Warranty: 6 years on the BYD Seal, 7 on the Chery E5.

Common questions