Chery E5 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Chery E5 scores higher, 79 vs 75
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 5 Sep 2026, price 8 Sep 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 75
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.
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$66,500
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 100kW
- Economy
- 5.4 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 405L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Ends 21 Dec 2026
Manufacturer's terms: Offer ends | 21 December 2026
Offer from Chery Australia, checked 9 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the manufacturer 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.
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: we're still completing kerb weight, ground clearance, turning circle 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
$66,500RRP
- 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.
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.
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class CLA 180
$66,500
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 4 July 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $284 a week in repayments ($66,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Chery E5 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). 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 94% for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, 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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
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
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-005949 · published 15 Apr 2024The electrical power steering control unit back-up software may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2024
- REC-005401 · published 6 Apr 2022Due to a software issue, the automatic network search of the emergency call system (eCall) communication module may be deactivated.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 7 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.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Chery E5 stands out with heated front seats, power tailgate and Sony audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class counters with panoramic roof and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class responds with a Petrol making 100kW and 200Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.8 seconds.
The Chery E5 has the clear power advantage at 155kW vs 100kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Chery E5 is 1.2s 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, 299mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class at 4,723mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery E5 and 405L in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, giving the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class a 105L advantage.
The Chery E5 turns in a 11.2 m circle, kerb to kerb; the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class's turning circle is not on our record.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Chery E5 costs about $634 a year (13.2 kWh/100km) and fuel for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class about $1,539 a year (5.4 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 7 years / unlimited km (Chery E5) and 5 years / unlimited km (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class). Capped-price servicing: 7 years (Chery E5), no data (Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class).
Where each one leads
The Chery E5: more power (155kW against 100kW) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class: the bigger boot with the seats up (405L against 300L).
The Verdict
Chery E5 scores higher, 79 vs 75
The Chery E5 scores 79 to the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class's 75 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 4 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: value (Chery E5 ahead by 13 points), performance (Chery E5 ahead by 9 points). Boot space with the seats up: 300L in the Chery E5, 405L in the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. Warranty: 7 years on the Chery E5, 5 on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
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 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class?
The Chery E5 is the cheapest at $34,550 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class by $31,950.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Chery E5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022) and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has the largest boot at 405L with the seats up.
Which has the best warranty?
The Chery E5 has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Chery E5 makes the most power at 155kW. The Chery E5 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.6s.
Track the Chery E5 & Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
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!
