Chery E5 vs Hyundai Kona
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.
Track the Chery E5 & Hyundai Kona
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Chery E5 starts from $35,150 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Kona opens at $33,700. That makes the Hyundai Kona the more affordable entry point by $1,450.
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 $37,070 respectively.
The Chery E5 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Hyundai Kona, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
The Chery E5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Hyundai Kona. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Chery E5 and 80% for the Hyundai Kona.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 5 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Chery E5, against 4 on the Hyundai Kona.
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 Hyundai Kona.
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.
Feature Showdown
The Chery E5 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Kona gets a 12.3-inch display and 4.2-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 Kona. The Hyundai Kona counters with Apple CarPlay. 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 Hyundai Kona responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 180Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.9 seconds.
The Chery E5 has the clear power advantage at 155kW vs 110kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery E5 is 2.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Chery E5 measures 4,424mm long on a 2,610mm wheelbase, 74mm longer than the Hyundai Kona at 4,350mm (2,660mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Kona generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery E5 and 361L in the Hyundai Kona, giving the Hyundai Kona a 61L 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
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 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Kona). The Chery E5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery E5 if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Kona if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Chery E5 takes 4 of 7 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Kona 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.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Chery E5 and Hyundai Kona?
The Hyundai Kona is the cheapest at $33,700 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Chery E5 by $1,450.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Hyundai Kona uses the least fuel at 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The Chery E5 has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Kona has the largest boot at 361L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Kona has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,300kg.
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.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
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!
