Geely Starray EM-i vs Chery E5
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.
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.
Price Breakdown
The Geely Starray EM-i starts from $37,490 before on-road costs, while the Chery E5 opens at $37,990. That makes the Geely Starray EM-i 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 $41,239 and $41,789 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
Both the Geely Starray EM-i and Chery E5 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 4 in the Geely Starray EM-i.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Geely Starray EM-i and 7 in the Chery E5.
Feature Showdown
The Geely Starray EM-i features a 15.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital dash, while the Chery E5 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Geely Starray EM-i stands out with Apple CarPlay and V2L that you will not find on the Chery E5. The Chery E5 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, power tailgate and Sony audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Geely Starray EM-i uses a Petrol producing 160kW and 262Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8 seconds.
The Chery E5 responds with a Electric making 155kW and 288Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
The Geely Starray EM-i has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 155kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery E5 is 0.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 18.4kWh (Geely Starray EM-i) vs 58.9kWh (Chery E5), giving WLTP ranges of 83km and 430km. DC fast charging peaks at 30kW (Geely Starray EM-i) vs 60kW (Chery E5).
Space & Comfort
The Geely Starray EM-i measures 4,740mm long on a 2,755mm wheelbase, 316mm longer than the Chery E5 at 4,424mm (2,610mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Geely Starray EM-i generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 428L in the Geely Starray EM-i and 400L in the Chery E5, giving the Geely Starray EM-i a 28L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m to 11.2m
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m 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 (Geely Starray EM-i) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Chery E5). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Geely Starray EM-i if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Geely's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Chery E5 if: You or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Geely Starray EM-i and Chery E5 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Geely Starray EM-i and Chery E5?
The Geely Starray EM-i is the cheapest at $37,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Chery E5 by $500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Geely Starray EM-i uses the least fuel at 2.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Geely Starray EM-i and Chery E5 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Geely Starray EM-i has the largest boot at 428L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Geely Starray EM-i makes the most power at 160kW. The Chery E5 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.9s.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
