Chery C5 vs MG ZS
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 28 Aug 2026, price 21 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$27,500est. RRP
- no option data for this car
$22,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Chery C5 & MG ZS
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Chery C5 starts from $27,500 (our estimated RRP; the brand lists drive-away prices only) before on-road costs, while the MG ZS opens at $22,990. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
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. Estimated driveaway prices sit around $29,990 for the Chery C5 and $22,990 for the MG ZS.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
Both the Chery C5 and MG ZS hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Chery C5 and 81% for the MG ZS.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the MG ZS, against 4 on the Chery C5.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Chery C5 and 6 in the MG ZS.
Recalls on our record
Chery C5
None open on our record
MG ZS
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.
Feature Showdown
The Chery C5 features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the MG ZS gets a 10.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The MG ZS counters with power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Chery C5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the MG ZS 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 MG ZS responds with a Petrol making 81kW and 140Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels.
The Chery C5 has the clear power advantage at 108kW vs 81kW. 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, 79mm shorter than the MG ZS at 4,430mm (2,610mm wheelbase).
Boot space is 370L in the Chery C5 and 443L in the MG ZS, giving the MG ZS a 73L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m 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 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,967/year for the Chery C5 and $1,910/year for the MG ZS. That is a $57 annual difference in favour of the MG ZS.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Chery C5) vs 10 years / 250,000km (MG ZS). The MG ZS has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery C5 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the MG ZS if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer MG's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
MG ZS: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 73
The MG ZS comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 73), taking 4 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: practicality (MG ZS ahead by 8), performance (Chery C5 ahead by 5). The MG ZS will save you roughly $57 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the MG ZS has a clear edge. The MG ZS adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. 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 MG ZS?
The MG ZS is the cheapest at $22,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Chery C5 by $4,510.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The MG ZS uses the least fuel at 6.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Chery C5 and MG ZS all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The MG ZS has the largest boot at 443L with the seats up.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG ZS has the longest warranty at 10 years / 250k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Chery C5 makes the most power at 108kW.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
