Chery C5 Hybrid vs Kia Seltos
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
Kia Seltos
From $31,250
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
110kW
6.9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
468L
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Price Breakdown
The Chery C5 Hybrid starts from $29,100 before on-road costs, while the Kia Seltos opens at $31,250. That makes the Chery C5 Hybrid the more affordable entry point by $2,150.
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 $34,375 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Chery C5 Hybrid by roughly $2,850 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.
Feature Showdown
The Chery C5 Hybrid features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia Seltos gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Chery C5 Hybrid stands out with heated front seats that you will not find on the Kia Seltos. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Chery C5 Hybrid gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia Seltos offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Chery C5 Hybrid and 1-zone in the Kia Seltos.
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 Kia Seltos responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 180Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds.
The Chery C5 Hybrid has the clear power advantage at 165kW vs 110kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery C5 Hybrid is 1.5s 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, 50mm longer than the Kia Seltos at 4,385mm (2,630mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Seltos generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery C5 Hybrid and 468L in the Kia Seltos, giving the Kia Seltos a 168L advantage.
For towing, the Kia Seltos leads with a 1,100kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 350kg 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
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,397/year for the Chery C5 Hybrid and $1,967/year for the Kia Seltos. That is a $570 annual difference in favour of the Chery C5 Hybrid.
Estimated annual total: $1,397 (Chery C5 Hybrid) vs $1,967 (Kia Seltos). The Chery C5 Hybrid saves you roughly $570 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 (Kia Seltos). 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, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Seltos if: You need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Chery C5 Hybrid takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Chery C5 Hybrid will save you roughly $570 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Seltos 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 Kia Seltos?
The Chery C5 Hybrid is the cheapest at $29,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia Seltos by $2,150.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Chery C5 Hybrid uses the least fuel at 4.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Kia Seltos all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Seltos has the largest boot at 468L.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Seltos has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,100kg.
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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