Chery C5 Hybrid vs BYD Atto 2 DM-i
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 5 Aug 2026, price 8 Sep 2026
BYD Atto 2 DM-i: not on sale yet, so BYD hasn't published warranty and CO2 emissions.
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.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the Chery C5 Hybrid & BYD Atto 2 DM-i
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Price Breakdown
The Chery C5 Hybrid starts from $29,100 before on-road costs, while the BYD Atto 2 DM-i opens at $24,990. That makes the BYD Atto 2 DM-i the more affordable entry point by $4,110.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $32,010 and $27,489 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BYD Atto 2 DM-i by roughly $5,760 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Chery C5 Hybrid
None open on our record
BYD Atto 2 DM-i
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 ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
7.9kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Chery C5 Hybrid features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BYD Atto 2 DM-i gets a 10.1-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Chery C5 Hybrid stands out with heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for the BYD Atto 2 DM-i. The BYD Atto 2 DM-i counters with V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Chery C5 Hybrid uses a Petrol I4 Turbo + HEV producing 165kW and 295Nm of torque, sent through a 1-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (dht) to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.7 seconds.
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i responds with a 1.5L 4-cylinder petrol making 122kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.1 seconds.
The Chery C5 Hybrid has the clear power advantage at 165kW vs 122kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Chery C5 Hybrid is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Chery C5 Hybrid measures 4,435mm long on a 2,610mm wheelbase, 105mm longer than the BYD Atto 2 DM-i at 4,330mm (2,620mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Atto 2 DM-i generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery C5 Hybrid and 425L in the BYD Atto 2 DM-i, giving the BYD Atto 2 DM-i a 125L advantage.
For towing, the BYD Atto 2 DM-i leads with a 750kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m diameter
Good
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.3 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,397/year for the Chery C5 Hybrid and $245/year for the BYD Atto 2 DM-i. That is a $1,152 annual difference in favour of the BYD Atto 2 DM-i.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery C5 Hybrid if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Atto 2 DM-i if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Chery C5 Hybrid: Top CarSorted Score, 66 vs 61
The Chery C5 Hybrid comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (66 vs 61), taking 2 of 6 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: reliability (Chery C5 Hybrid ahead by 16), value (Chery C5 Hybrid ahead by 14), practicality (BYD Atto 2 DM-i ahead by 9). The BYD Atto 2 DM-i will save you roughly $1,152 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BYD Atto 2 DM-i has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Chery C5 Hybrid and BYD Atto 2 DM-i?
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i is the cheapest at $24,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Chery C5 Hybrid by $4,110.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Chery C5 Hybrid uses the least fuel at 4.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Chery C5 Hybrid and BYD Atto 2 DM-i carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i has the largest boot at 425L with the seats up (1,335L with the seats folded).
Which is the most powerful?
The Chery C5 Hybrid makes the most power at 165kW. The Chery C5 Hybrid is quickest to 100km/h in 7.7s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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