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.
Data checked: specs 7 Sep 2026, price 21 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
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.
$35,150est. RRP
- no option data for this car
$33,950RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Chery E5 & Hyundai Kona
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Price Breakdown
The Chery E5 starts from $35,150 (our estimated RRP; the brand lists drive-away prices only) before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Kona opens at $33,950. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
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 $37,345 respectively.
The Chery E5 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Hyundai Kona does not: only battery-electric vehicles 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 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Hyundai Kona, 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 Hyundai Kona.
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
Hyundai Kona
- REC-006734 · published 28 Sep 2026Rear centre seat belt buckle anchor below specificationYear range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
- REC-006589 · published 20 Apr 2026Due to a software issue, the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail to illuminate the visual vehicle speed, fuel level and other critical safety information.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-005978 · published 6 Jun 2024The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve sensor may have been exposed to soldering flux contamination during manufacture.Year range on the notice: 2024
- 2 more on the model page.
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.
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 — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai Kona. The Hyundai Kona counters with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging. 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 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 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Chery E5 is 2.3s 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 407L in the Hyundai Kona, giving the Hyundai Kona a 107L advantage.
Turning 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 need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Chery E5: Top CarSorted Score, 79 vs 75, but the Hyundai Kona is $1,200 cheaper
The Chery E5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (79 vs 75), taking 4 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Chery E5 ahead by 23), performance (Chery E5 ahead by 15), practicality (Hyundai Kona ahead by 11). 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 $33,950 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Chery E5 by $1,200.
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 407L with the seats up.
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 7.6s.
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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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