Chery E5 vs Hyundai Inster
Two electric cars 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.
Price Breakdown
The Chery E5 starts from $35,150 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Inster opens at $39,000. That makes the Chery E5 the more affordable entry point by $3,850.
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 $42,900 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
The Chery E5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Hyundai Inster. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Chery E5 and 70% for the Hyundai Inster.
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 Hyundai Inster.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
Feature Showdown
The Chery E5 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Inster gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Chery E5 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated front seats, power tailgate and Sony audio that you will not find on the Hyundai Inster. The Hyundai Inster counters with Apple CarPlay and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Chery E5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Hyundai Inster offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Chery E5 and 1-zone in the Hyundai Inster.
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 Hyundai Inster responds with a Electric making 74kW and 147Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.6 seconds.
The Chery E5 has the clear power advantage at 155kW vs 74kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery E5 is 2.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 58.9kWh (Chery E5) vs 42kWh (Hyundai Inster), giving WLTP ranges of 430km and 327km. DC fast charging peaks at 60kW (Chery E5) vs 73kW (Hyundai Inster).
Space & Comfort
The Chery E5 measures 4,424mm long on a 2,610mm wheelbase, 599mm longer than the Hyundai Inster at 3,825mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Chery E5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery E5 and 280L in the Hyundai Inster, giving the Chery E5 a 20L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m 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 10.6m 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 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Inster). The Chery E5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery E5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Inster if: You or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Chery E5 takes 8 of 11 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. 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.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Chery E5 and Hyundai Inster?
The Chery E5 is the cheapest at $35,150 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Inster by $3,850.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Chery E5 has the most range at 430km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Hyundai Inster accepts the highest DC charging at up to 73kW.
Which is safest?
The Chery E5 has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Chery E5 has the largest boot at 300L.
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 7.9s.
Get ahead of your next car
Join free for new-car launches, news, reviews and buying guides. The independent take on what's new in Australia and what's actually worth buying, no dealer spin. Plus early access and founding-member pricing on the upcoming CarSorted Pro Report. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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!
