Chery E5 vs Nissan Qashqai
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 $35,150 before on-road costs, while the Nissan Qashqai opens at $34,665. That makes the Nissan Qashqai the more affordable entry point by $485.
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 $38,665 and $38,132 respectively.
The Chery E5 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Nissan Qashqai, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the Chery E5 and Nissan Qashqai hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Chery E5 and 91% for the Nissan Qashqai.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 5 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
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 Nissan Qashqai.
Feature Showdown
The Chery E5 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Nissan Qashqai gets a 12.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Chery E5 stands out with heated front seats, power tailgate and Sony audio that you will not find on the Nissan Qashqai. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Chery E5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Nissan Qashqai 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 Nissan Qashqai responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, 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 110kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery E5 is 0.9s 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, 1mm shorter than the Nissan Qashqai at 4,425mm (2,665mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan Qashqai generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery E5 and 430L in the Nissan Qashqai, giving the Nissan Qashqai a 130L advantage.
0Turning 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
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 5 years / 999,999km (Nissan Qashqai). The Chery E5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery E5 if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Nissan Qashqai if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Chery E5 and Nissan Qashqai trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. If boot space matters, the Nissan Qashqai has a clear edge. The Chery E5 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. 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 Nissan Qashqai?
The Nissan Qashqai is the cheapest at $34,665 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Chery E5 by $485.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Nissan Qashqai uses the least fuel at 6.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Chery E5 and Nissan Qashqai all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Nissan Qashqai has the largest boot at 430L.
Which can tow the most?
The Nissan Qashqai has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Chery E5 has the longest warranty at 7 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Chery E5 makes the most power at 155kW. The Chery E5 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.9s.
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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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