Chery E5 vs Hyundai Kona Electric
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Chery E5 scores higher, 79 vs 70
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 10 Nov 2026, price 15 Oct 2026
Chery E5
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$34,550
est. RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 155kW
- Energy use
- 13.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 300L
Top CarSorted Score, 79 vs 70
Chery Australia offer: 0.7% finance, ends 21 Dec 2026. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Hyundai Kona Electric
16 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 not offered · 4 no dataFrom
$46,000
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 99kW
- Energy use
- 14.8 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★4 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 407L
Hyundai Australia offer: $43,990 drive-away (state not stated), ends 31 Dec 2026. See the offer
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Ends 21 Dec 2026
Maker's terms: Offer ends | 21 December 2026
Offer from Chery Australia, checked 9 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the maker prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.
Finance offers are the manufacturer's or its financier's own, shown as they published them on the date given. CarSorted is not a credit provider, does not hold an Australian Credit Licence, does not arrange finance and gives no credit assistance or advice. A rate shown is the rate the manufacturer advertised, not a rate available to you: approval, fees, charges and the rate you are offered depend on the lender's assessment and its terms and conditions. Read the full offer on the manufacturer's page before relying on it.
Chery E5: we're still completing kerb weight, ground clearance and braked towing.
Hyundai Kona Electric: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h and braked towing.
Blank cells below mean 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.
$34,550est. RRP
- no option data for this car
$46,000RRP
- cannot be matched: Heated Front Seats, Electric Driver Seat and Power Tailgate not offered
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.
Price and cost per week
Chery E5 Ultimate
$34,550
Estimated RRP (the brand lists drive-away prices only), before on-road costs. Checked 8 Sept 2026
$37,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by Chery Australia
About $153 a week in repayments ($37,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range 99kW
$46,000
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 15 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $190 a week in repayments ($46,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
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), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
CarSorted
Looking for your next car?
We help you research it, compare it and ask for a price.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$153/wk(≈$661/mo)
Estimate on the Chery E5 at $37,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Chery E5Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the Chery E5 at 5 stars (2022) and the Hyundai Kona Electric at 4 stars (2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Chery E5 and 80% for the Hyundai Kona Electric, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Hyundai Kona Electric, against 5 on the Chery E5.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 5 of 10 key systems on the Chery E5 and 7 on the Hyundai Kona Electric.
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.
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 Electric
- REC-006586 · published 9 Apr 2026A software issue in the Battery Management System (BMS) may cause an electrical short circuit while charging or parked leading to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2023
- REC-001592 · published 23 Aug 2021Due to a manufacturing defect, the battery does not meet specifications and may lead to an electrical short which could start a fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- REC-000605 · published 28 Jan 2021A software fault in the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) may significantly reduce braking performance.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 1 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 a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum 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
48.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (10.4kW AC, 100kW 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 Electric gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-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 — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai Kona Electric. The Hyundai Kona Electric counters with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging. 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 Kona Electric offers premium cloth.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
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 Electric responds with a Electric making 99kW and 255Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.
The Chery E5 has the clear power advantage at 155kW vs 99kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 58.9kWh (Chery E5) vs 48.6kWh (Hyundai Kona Electric), giving WLTP ranges of 430km and 370km. DC fast charging peaks at 130kW (Chery E5) vs 100kW (Hyundai Kona Electric).
Space & Comfort
The Chery E5 measures 4,424mm long on a 2,610mm wheelbase, 69mm longer than the Hyundai Kona Electric at 4,355mm (2,660mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Kona Electric generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery E5 and 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric, giving the Hyundai Kona Electric a 107L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Hyundai Kona Electric's turning circle is 0.6 m tighter, 10.6 m against 11.2 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Chery E5 costs about $634 a year (13.2 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Hyundai Kona Electric about $710 a year (14.8 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $76 a year less for the Chery E5.
Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Chery E5) and 5 years / Unlimited (Hyundai Kona Electric). Capped-price servicing: 7 years (Chery E5), no data (Hyundai Kona Electric).
Where each one leads
The Chery E5: more power (155kW against 99kW), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($634 a year against $710).
The Hyundai Kona Electric: the bigger boot with the seats up (407L against 300L).
The Verdict
Chery E5 scores higher, 79 vs 70
The Chery E5 scores 79 to the Hyundai Kona Electric's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 6 of the 7 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: technology (Chery E5 ahead by 28 points), safety (Chery E5 ahead by 18 points), performance (Chery E5 ahead by 15 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Chery E5 costs about $76 less (13.2 kWh/100km against 14.8 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 300L in the Chery E5, 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric. Warranty: 7 years on the Chery E5, 5 on the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$153/wk(≈$661/mo)
Estimate on the Chery E5 at $37,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Chery E5Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Chery E5 and Hyundai Kona Electric?
The Chery E5 is the cheapest at $34,550 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Kona Electric by $11,450.
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.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Chery E5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022) and Hyundai Kona Electric holds a 4-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the largest boot at 407L with the seats up.
Which has the best warranty?
The Chery E5 has the longest warranty that does not depend on dealer servicing at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Chery E5 makes the most power at 155kW.
Track the Chery E5 & Hyundai Kona Electric
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
