Chery E5 vs Geely Starray EM-i
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.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Price Breakdown
The Chery E5 starts from $37,990 before on-road costs, while the Geely Starray EM-i opens at $37,490. That makes the Geely Starray EM-i the more affordable entry point by $500.
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 $41,789 and $41,239 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
Both the Chery E5 and Geely Starray EM-i hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Chery E5 packs more ADAS features with 5 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 4 in the Geely Starray EM-i.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Chery E5 and 7 in the Geely Starray EM-i.
Feature Showdown
The Chery E5 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Geely Starray EM-i gets a 15.4-inch display and 10.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Chery E5 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, power tailgate and Sony audio that you will not find on the Geely Starray EM-i. The Geely Starray EM-i counters with Apple CarPlay and V2L. 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 7.9 seconds.
The Geely Starray EM-i responds with a Petrol making 160kW and 262Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The Geely Starray EM-i has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 155kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery E5 is 0.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 58.9kWh (Chery E5) vs 18.4kWh (Geely Starray EM-i), giving WLTP ranges of 430km and 83km. DC fast charging peaks at 60kW (Chery E5) vs 30kW (Geely Starray EM-i).
Space & Comfort
The Chery E5 measures 4,424mm long on a 2,610mm wheelbase, 316mm shorter than the Geely Starray EM-i at 4,740mm (2,755mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Geely Starray EM-i generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the Chery E5 and 428L in the Geely Starray EM-i, giving the Geely Starray EM-i a 28L 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
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 7 years / 999,999km (Geely Starray EM-i). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery E5 if: You or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Geely Starray EM-i if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Geely's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Chery E5 and Geely Starray EM-i trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Chery E5 and Geely Starray EM-i?
The Geely Starray EM-i is the cheapest at $37,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Chery E5 by $500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Geely Starray EM-i uses the least fuel at 2.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Chery E5 and Geely Starray EM-i all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Geely Starray EM-i has the largest boot at 428L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Geely Starray EM-i makes the most power at 160kW. The Chery E5 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.9s.
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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