Chery C5 vs Skoda Octavia

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Chery C5 at 5 stars (2022) and the Skoda Octavia at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Chery C5 and 85% for the Skoda Octavia, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Skoda Octavia, 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 8 in the Skoda Octavia.

Recalls 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 Skoda Octavia gets a 13-inch display and 10-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Chery C5 stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Skoda Octavia. The Skoda Octavia counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Chery C5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Skoda Octavia offers cloth. Climate control is 1-zone in the Chery C5 and 2-zone in the Skoda Octavia.

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 Skoda Octavia responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.7 seconds.

The Skoda Octavia has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 108kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Chery C5 is 0.2s 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, 347mm shorter than the Skoda Octavia at 4,698mm (2,686mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Skoda Octavia generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 370L in the Chery C5 and 600L in the Skoda Octavia, giving the Skoda Octavia a 230L advantage.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Skoda Octavia's turning circle is 0.8 m tighter, 10.4 m against 11.2 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Chery C5 costs about $1,967 a year (6.9 L/100km) and fuel for the Skoda Octavia about $1,739 a year (6.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $228 a year less for the Skoda Octavia.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Chery C5) and 7 years / Unlimited (Skoda Octavia). Capped-price servicing: no data (Chery C5), 6 years (Skoda Octavia).

Where each one leads

The Chery C5: nothing in the figures we hold puts it ahead of the Skoda Octavia.

The Skoda Octavia: more power (110kW against 108kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (600L against 370L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,739 a year against $1,967).

The Verdict

Skoda Octavia scores higher, 77 vs 74

The Skoda Octavia scores 77 to the Chery C5's 74 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 4 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: practicality (Skoda Octavia ahead by 13 points), performance (Skoda Octavia ahead by 8 points), fuel economy (Skoda Octavia ahead by 7 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Skoda Octavia costs about $228 less (6.1 L/100km against 6.9 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 370L in the Chery C5, 600L in the Skoda Octavia.

Common questions