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.
Data checked: specs 22 Oct 2026, price 8 Sep 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.
Kia Niro: we're still completing price, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, transmission and warranty, plus 3 others.
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.
$35,150est. RRP
- no option data for this car
No price
- 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.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
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
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
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
Kia Niro
- REC-005981 · published 25 Jun 2024The Gear Drive Unit (GDU) assembly bolts may not have been tightened to the torque sufficiently causing it to possibly fail and result in a loss of motive power.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005939 · published 11 Apr 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the driveshaft may break under load.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005699 · published 15 Jun 2023Due to a software issue, the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate the visual seat belt warning as required by the Australian Design Rules (ADR) 04/06.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
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 Kia Niro gets a 10.3-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 Kia Niro. The Kia Niro counters with Apple CarPlay and ambient lighting. 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 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 Niro responds with a 1.6 Kappa GDI DOHC 2 D-CVVT + Electric Motor making 104kW and 147Nm, paired to its gearbox driving the front wheels.
The Chery E5 has the clear power advantage at 155kW vs 104kW. 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, 69mm longer than the Kia Niro at 4,355mm (2,700mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Niro generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery E5 and 324L in the Kia Niro, giving the Kia Niro a 24L 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.
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
Chery E5: Top CarSorted Score, 79 vs 67
The Chery E5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (79 vs 67), taking 1 of 2 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Chery E5 ahead by 31), value (Chery E5 ahead by 23), performance (Chery E5 ahead by 18). 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 is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Niro uses the least fuel at 1.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Chery E5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Kia Niro, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Niro has the largest boot at 324L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Niro has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,300kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Chery E5 makes the most power at 155kW.
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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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