Chery E5 vs Toyota Corolla Cross
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 Toyota Corolla Cross opens at $37,440. That makes the Chery E5 the more affordable entry point by $2,290.
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 $41,184 respectively.
The Chery E5 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Toyota Corolla Cross, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the Chery E5 and Toyota Corolla Cross hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Chery E5 and 85% for the Toyota Corolla Cross.
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 Toyota Corolla Cross.
Feature Showdown
The Chery E5 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Toyota Corolla Cross gets a 8-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 Toyota Corolla Cross. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Chery E5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Toyota Corolla Cross 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 Toyota Corolla Cross responds with a Petrol making 145kW and 188Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.4 seconds.
The Chery E5 has the clear power advantage at 155kW vs 145kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery E5 is 1.5s 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, 36mm shorter than the Toyota Corolla Cross at 4,460mm (2,640mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Corolla Cross generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Chery E5 and 487L in the Toyota Corolla Cross, giving the Toyota Corolla Cross a 187L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m 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 10.8m 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 (Toyota Corolla Cross). The Chery E5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery E5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota Corolla Cross if: You need more boot space, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Chery E5 takes 5 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the Toyota Corolla Cross 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 Toyota Corolla Cross?
The Chery E5 is the cheapest at $35,150 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota Corolla Cross by $2,290.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Corolla Cross uses the least fuel at 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Chery E5 and Toyota Corolla Cross all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Toyota Corolla Cross has the largest boot at 487L.
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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