Chery E5 vs Kia EV5

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Chery E5 at 5 stars (2022) and the Kia EV5 at 5 stars (2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2024). 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 88% for the Kia EV5, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Kia EV5, 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 Kia EV5.

Recalls on our record

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.

Feature Showdown

The Chery E5 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia EV5 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 power tailgate and Sony audio — features our data doesn't list for the Kia EV5. The Kia EV5 counters with 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 Kia EV5 offers cloth & artificial leather.

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 Kia EV5 responds with a Electric making 160kW and 310Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.

The Kia EV5 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 155kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Chery E5 is 0.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 58.9kWh (Chery E5) vs 64.2kWh (Kia EV5), giving WLTP ranges of 430km and 400km. DC fast charging peaks at 130kW (Chery E5) vs 150kW (Kia EV5).

Space & Comfort

The Chery E5 measures 4,424mm long on a 2,610mm wheelbase, 191mm shorter than the Kia EV5 at 4,615mm (2,750mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV5 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 300L in the Chery E5 and 513L in the Kia EV5, giving the Kia EV5 a 213L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1079L vs 1714L.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Chery E5's turning circle is 0.5 m tighter, 11.2 m against 11.7 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 Kia EV5 about $874 a year (18.2 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $240 a year less for the Chery E5.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Chery E5) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV5). Capped-price servicing: 7 years (Chery E5), no data (Kia EV5).

Where each one leads

The Chery E5: lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($634 a year against $874).

The Kia EV5: more power (160kW against 155kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (513L against 300L).

The Verdict

Chery E5 scores higher, 79 vs 71

The Chery E5 scores 79 to the Kia EV5's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 9 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Chery E5 ahead by 34 points), technology (Chery E5 ahead by 31 points), value (Chery E5 ahead by 10 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Chery E5 costs about $240 less (13.2 kWh/100km against 18.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 300L in the Chery E5, 513L in the Kia EV5.

Common questions