Chery E5 vs Kia Sportage
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.
Price Breakdown
The Chery E5 starts from $37,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia Sportage opens at $38,490. That makes the Chery E5 the more affordable entry point by $500.
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 $41,789 and $42,339 respectively.
The Chery E5 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Kia Sportage, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the Chery E5 and Kia Sportage 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 3 in the Kia Sportage.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Chery E5 and 6 in the Kia Sportage.
Feature Showdown
The Chery E5 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while the Kia Sportage gets a 12.3-inch display and 4-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 Sportage. The Kia Sportage counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Chery E5 runs a pure electric powertrain 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 Sportage responds with a Petrol making 115kW and 192Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The Chery E5 has the clear power advantage at 155kW vs 115kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery E5 is 0.6s 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, 261mm shorter than the Kia Sportage at 4,685mm (2,755mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 400L in the Chery E5 and 543L in the Kia Sportage, giving the Kia Sportage a 143L advantage.
0True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 7 years (Chery E5) vs 7 years (Kia Sportage). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery E5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Sportage if: You need more boot space, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Chery E5 takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the Kia Sportage has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (18 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.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 18 April 2026
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