Chery C5 Hybrid vs Geely Starray EM-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.
Chery C5 Hybrid
From $29,100
SUV
Hybrid
Petrol I4 Turbo + HEV
165kW
4.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
300L
Geely Starray EM-i
From $37,490
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol
193kW
2.4 kWh/100km
5★ ANCAP
428L
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Chery C5 Hybrid starts from $29,100 before on-road costs, while the Geely Starray EM-i opens at $37,490. That makes the Chery C5 Hybrid the more affordable entry point by $8,390.
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 $41,239 respectively.
The Geely Starray EM-i qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Chery C5 Hybrid, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Geely Starray EM-i by roughly $6,410 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.
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
18.4kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 30kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 30kW DC). 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 Geely Starray EM-i gets a 15.4-inch display and 10.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Chery C5 Hybrid stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto that you will not find on the Geely Starray EM-i. The Geely Starray EM-i counters with Apple CarPlay and 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 Geely Starray EM-i responds with a Petrol making 193kW and 262Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The Geely Starray EM-i has the clear power advantage at 193kW vs 165kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery C5 Hybrid is 0.3s 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, 305mm shorter than the Geely Starray EM-i at 4,740mm (2,755mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Geely Starray EM-i generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery C5 Hybrid and 428L in the Geely Starray EM-i, giving the Geely Starray EM-i a 128L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m diameter
Good
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,397/year for the Chery C5 Hybrid and $115/year for the Geely Starray EM-i. That is a $1,282 annual difference in favour of the Geely Starray EM-i.
Estimated annual total: $1,397 (Chery C5 Hybrid) vs $115 (Geely Starray EM-i). The Geely Starray EM-i saves you roughly $1,282 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Chery C5 Hybrid) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Geely Starray EM-i). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: 7yr (Chery C5 Hybrid)—.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery C5 Hybrid if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Geely Starray EM-i if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Geely's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Geely Starray EM-i takes 5 of 7 key spec categories. The Geely Starray EM-i will save you roughly $1,282 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Geely Starray EM-i has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Chery C5 Hybrid and Geely Starray EM-i?
The Chery C5 Hybrid is the cheapest at $29,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Geely Starray EM-i by $8,390.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Geely Starray EM-i uses the least fuel at 2.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Geely Starray EM-i all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Geely Starray EM-i has the largest boot at 428L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Geely Starray EM-i makes the most power at 193kW. 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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