Chery E5 vs Kia Niro
Two electric SUVs 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.
Track the Chery E5 & Kia Niro
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
Both the Chery E5 and Kia Niro hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
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 0 in the Kia Niro.
Both include the essentials: core safety systems.
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.
How long to charge
64.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 80kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 80kW 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 Kia Niro gets a 8-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 Kia Niro. The Kia Niro 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 Kia Niro offers cloth.
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 Kia Niro responds with a Electric making 150kW and 255Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.8 seconds.
The Chery E5 has the clear power advantage at 155kW vs 150kW. In the real-world sprint, the Kia Niro is 0.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 58.9kWh (Chery E5) vs 64.8kWh (Kia Niro). DC fast charging peaks at 130kW (Chery E5) vs 80kW (Kia Niro).
Space & Comfort
The Chery E5 measures 4,424mm long on a 2,610mm wheelbase, 4mm longer than the Kia Niro at 4,420mm (2,720mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Niro generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery E5 and 451L in the Kia Niro, giving the Kia Niro a 151L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m diameter
Average
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.0 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
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 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Niro). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery E5 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Niro if: You need more boot space, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Niro takes 5 of 7 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Kia Niro has a clear edge. 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 Kia Niro?
The Chery E5 is the cheapest at $35,150 before on-road costs.
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.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Chery E5 and Kia Niro all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Niro has the largest boot at 451L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Chery E5 makes the most power at 155kW. The Kia Niro is quickest to 100km/h in 7.8s.
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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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