Chery E5 vs BYD Atto 3
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
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 5 Sep 2026, price 1 Oct 2026
Chery E5: we're still completing kerb weight, ground clearance and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Track the Chery E5 & BYD Atto 3
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Price Breakdown
The Chery E5 starts from $35,150 before on-road costs, while the BYD Atto 3 opens at $39,990. That makes the Chery E5 the more affordable entry point by $4,840.
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 $38,665 and $43,989 respectively.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases.
Safety Rundown
Both the Chery E5 and BYD Atto 3 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Chery E5 and 91% for the BYD Atto 3.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BYD Atto 3, against 5 on the Chery E5.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Chery E5 and 7 in the BYD Atto 3.
Recalls on our record
Chery E5
- REC-006696 · published 13 Aug 2026Due to a software issue, the vehicle’s Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) may not activate.Year range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
BYD Atto 3
- REC-005579 · published 22 Dec 2022BYD is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall on all affected vehicles.Year range on the notice: 2022
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
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
58.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
49.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 70kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 70kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Chery E5 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BYD Atto 3 gets a 12.8-inch display and 5-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Chery E5 stands out with heated front seats, power tailgate and Sony audio — features our data doesn't list for the BYD Atto 3. The BYD Atto 3 counters with V2L and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Chery E5 uses a Electric producing 155kW and 288Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.6 seconds.
The BYD Atto 3 responds with a Electric making 150kW and 310Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
The Chery E5 has the clear power advantage at 155kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Chery E5 is 0.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 58.9kWh (Chery E5) vs 49.9kWh (BYD Atto 3), giving WLTP ranges of 430km and 345km. DC fast charging peaks at 130kW (Chery E5) vs 70kW (BYD Atto 3).
Space & Comfort
The Chery E5 measures 4,424mm long on a 2,610mm wheelbase, 31mm shorter than the BYD Atto 3 at 4,455mm (2,720mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BYD Atto 3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery E5 and 440L in the BYD Atto 3, giving the BYD Atto 3 a 140L advantage.
Turning 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
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Chery E5) vs 6 years / 150,000km (BYD Atto 3). The Chery E5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery E5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BYD Atto 3 if: You need more boot space, or prefer BYD's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Chery E5: Top CarSorted Score, 71 vs 70
The Chery E5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (71 vs 70), taking 7 of 10 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: energy efficiency (Chery E5 ahead by 29), technology (BYD Atto 3 ahead by 15), practicality (BYD Atto 3 ahead by 7). If boot space matters, the BYD Atto 3 has a clear edge. The Chery E5 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Chery E5 and BYD Atto 3?
The Chery E5 is the cheapest at $35,150 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BYD Atto 3 by $4,840.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Chery E5 has the most range at 430km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Chery E5 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 130kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Chery E5 and BYD Atto 3 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BYD Atto 3 has the largest boot at 440L with the seats up.
Which has the best warranty?
The Chery E5 has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Chery E5 makes the most power at 155kW. The Chery E5 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.6s.
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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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