Chery C5 vs Kia Stonic
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.
Price Breakdown
The Chery C5 starts from $29,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia Stonic opens at $26,990. That makes the Kia Stonic the more affordable entry point by $3,000.
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 $32,989 and $29,689 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Kia Stonic by roughly $1,710 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 features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia Stonic gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Chery C5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia Stonic offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Chery C5 uses a Petrol producing 108kW and 210Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed dual clutch to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Kia Stonic responds with a Petrol making 88kW and 172Nm, paired to a 7-speed dct driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.2 seconds.
The Chery C5 has the clear power advantage at 108kW vs 88kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery C5 is 2.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Chery C5 measures 4,351mm long on a 2,610mm wheelbase, 211mm longer than the Kia Stonic at 4,140mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Chery C5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 340L in the Chery C5 and 352L in the Kia Stonic, giving the Kia Stonic a 12L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 11.2m
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
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 $1,967/year for the Chery C5 and $1,625/year for the Kia Stonic. That is a $342 annual difference in favour of the Kia Stonic.
Estimated annual total: $1,967 (Chery C5) vs $1,625 (Kia Stonic). The Kia Stonic saves you roughly $342 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Chery C5) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Stonic). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery C5 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Stonic if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Stonic takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Kia Stonic will save you roughly $342 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Chery C5 and Kia Stonic?
The Kia Stonic is the cheapest at $26,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Chery C5 by $3,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Stonic uses the least fuel at 5.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Chery C5 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Stonic has the largest boot at 352L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Chery C5 makes the most power at 108kW. The Chery C5 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
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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