Seven things we like about the Chery E5

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If Chery’s range of cars were chess pieces, then this one is the knight.

Since arriving in Australia a few years ago, the Chery C5 has been moved around the board in an unconventional fashion – starting out as the first model to wear the Omoda brand name before, more recently, taking a left turn to bolster the main Chery lineup.

The Chery C5 is a swoopy, coupe-styled five-door compact SUV that sits between the entry-level Tiggo 4 and mid-size Tiggo 7.

But where those SUVs are offered with either petrol or hybrid powertrains, the C5 can also be had with a fully electric powertrain as the Chery E5 model we’re testing here.

So, here are seven things we like about the Chery E5.

Simple choice

Unlike the petrol C5, which is offered in the base-level Urban trim, and the C5 hybrid, which can be had in either Urban or Ultimate model grades, the MY26 Chery E5 comes in just one fully loaded specification.

It costs $37,990 drive-away, which is only $3000 more than the similarly equipped C5 hybrid, making it one of the most affordable fully electric, compact SUVs in its class.

You could pay a little less for the closely related Jaecoo J5 BEV ($36,990 drive-away) or the flagship GWM Ora 5 Ultra ($36,990 drive-away), or more for alternative options such as the entry-level Leapmotor B10 Style ($38,990 drive-away), the BYD Atto 3 Evo (from $41,990 plus on-road costs) and the Geely EX5 (from $41,990 plus ORCs).

Stylish design

Just like the Knight chess piece, the E5 stands out from the cars around it in the Chery showroom with its unique exterior design.

Where the Tiggo models are cute and curvy, the E5 is all angles and sharp creases – from its bold, grille-less front fascia with slim LED driving lights through to the body work towards its sloping-roofed rear-end that’s accentuated by the Zorro mask-like light bar.

The E5 is a prettier car than the petrol and hybrid C5 variants which feature a cascading, diamond-patterned grille, especially in the minty Titan Green paintwork of our test car, with its EV-specific wind-cheating 18-inch alloy wheels. 

Spacious and classy interior

The E5’s unique design continues inside the cabin too, but in a far more organic – rather than edgy – way.

The floating horizontal dash is cloaked in synthetic leather at the top and the bottom, with a concave dark-grey faux woodgrain panel running through the centre above a piano-black spear that incorporates the air-conditioning vents as well as a backlit silhouette of the vehicle that shines bright at night.

Sitting proudly on top of it all is a twin digital screen setup featuring two 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system.

And in between the front seats is a high-rise centre console with two covered storage spaces, a deep lidded bin and a row of buttons for quick access to often-used functions like the front and rear windscreen demisters, hazard lights, driving mode selector, and audio system on/off.

Underneath the centre console is a separate storage area big enough to secure a handbag, along with USB power outlets

The front seats offer good support and adjustability and look great with the white piping. It’s a pity that one element doesn’t carry over to the rear seats though.

Still, there’s plenty of room for three across the 60:40-split/folding rear bench, although those in the middle are somewhat compromised by the raised centre tunnel owing to the fact the E5 is based on the same platform as the petrol and hybrid variants.

There is a pair of USB outlets and twin adjustable air vents in the back of the centre console, and the outboard rear seats are heated too, which is nice.

Access to the boot is easy via the power-operated rear tailgate, which reveals a usable 300 litres of cargo capacity. And we appreciate the E5 is unique among EVs in that it is fitted with a full-size spare wheel.

Loaded with features

The E5’s interior is more than just good looking and comfortable, as it comes loaded with a long list of creature comforts too.

As mentioned, the cabin is cloaked in synthetic leather trim with woodgrain and alloy highlights on the dash and door cards. The front and rear outboard seats are heated, with six-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way power adjustment for the front passenger.

There’s dual-zone climate control with rear vents, multi-colour ambient interior lighting, privacy glass on the rear windows, and a standard sunroof with a retractable sunshade.

The infotainment system features Bluetooth connectivity, DAB+ digital radio, wireless smartphone mirroring, intelligent voice commands, an eight-speaker Sony audio system, and there’s a 50W wireless phone charging pad in the centre console.

In terms of safety, the Chery E5 comes loaded with a full suite of advanced driver-assistance aids and crash-avoidance functions, such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot detection, driver attention monitoring, rear cross-traffic braking, and door opening warning. Plus, it has seven airbags, including a centre bag.

As a result, the Chery E5 scores a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating. 

Seamless performance

It’s not the case with all electric vehicles that have been converted from a conventional petrol-powered platform, but the Chery E5 fits its semi-premium positioning better because of its battery-electric powertrain.

Driving the front wheels is a 155kW/288Nm electric motor through a single-speed transmission with a 58.9kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack that delivers up to 430km of driving range on the WLTP cycle.

Now, none of those numbers are earth-shattering, but at the budget end of the business the E5 has more than enough power to hold its own in everyday traffic, and enough range for the weekly suburban runaround without inducing range anxiety.

And, when you need to top it up, the battery can charge at a maximum rate of 130kW on a DC fast-charger, which Chery says will replenish it from 30 to 80 per cent in less than half an hour. 

Sophisticated driving character

The sum total of all the E5’s unique parts creates a much more sophisticated machine in terms of how it drives.

The performance is seamless, with smooth acceleration at any speed, and without the rumblings of a petrol engine when you ask for all it has, or the low-speed hesitations of a hybrid switching between power sources.

Sure, the E5 doesn’t have the neck-snapping novelty of more powerful EVs, nor does its regenerative braking bob your head back and forth when you roll a toe off the accelerator. Conversely, it feels more normal as an everyday family runabout.

The steering, however, is lifeless and overly light in its power assistance, yet feels sticky across the arc and doesn’t return to centre naturally. And the serenity of its near-silent powertrain is broken on rough surfaces when lots of road noise filters into the cabin.

For the most part, though, the E5 is easy to live with as a family wagon. 

Ownership credentials

Beyond the car itself, Chery provides a comprehensive suite of aftersales ownership benefits including a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with free roadside assistance if the vehicle is maintained within its dealer network.

The battery pack is guaranteed for an extra year too.

Scheduled service intervals are 12 months or 20,000km and there’s a capped-price service plan that costs a total of $1901.34 over the first seven services, or seven years/140,000km.

MORE: Explore the Chery E5 showroom