The Stylish Electric Crossover That Redefines Small SUV Value Standards

The Chery Omoda E5 (recently simplified to just the Chery E5) is the first fully electric offering from the Chinese giant in Australia. Heavily based on the petrol Omoda 5 but featuring a completely redesigned, more premium interior and a smoothed-off "aeroface" front end, the E5 is a dedicated challenger to the BYD Atto 3. For 2026, Chery has refined the lineup with a more efficient motor and updated battery technology, ensuring it remains one of the most feature-packed EVs available for under $45,000.

The Verdict: A Feature Packed Entry to EV Life

The Chery E5 stands out by offering "big car" technology and aesthetics in a compact crossover body. While its driving dynamics are focused more on urban comfort than back-road carving, its sheer list of standard inclusions, like the dual 12.3-inch curved screens, makes it feel significantly more expensive than its price tag suggests. For Victorian drivers, the inclusion of a full-size spare alloy wheel is a massive win, providing peace of mind that most other EVs on the market simply don't offer.

Quick Take:

• The Hook: Premium interior and a full-size spare wheel in a value-driven package.

• Price: From $36,990 RRP (BX/Urban) to $40,990 RRP (EX/Ultimate).

• Key Tech: Dual 12.3-inch "24.6-inch" ultra-wide curved display and a 50W wireless charger.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Full-Size Spare: Almost unique in the EV world; a genuine lifesaver for regional Australian trips.	Over-Eager Safety Tech: The driver monitoring and lane-keep systems can be quite intrusive.
Upmarket Interior: The "living room" style cabin features high-quality materials and a clean design.	Slow DC Charging: A peak rate of 80kW–130kW (depending on build) trails behind some rivals.
Punchy Performance: 155kW of power provides brisk acceleration for city overtaking.	Boot Space: At 300L, the boot is smaller than its petrol sibling due to the full-size spare.
Generous Aftersales: 7-year warranty and a very competitive capped-price servicing schedule.	Touchscreen Reliance: Lack of physical buttons for climate control can be distracting while driving.

Range & Real-World Driving: City vs. Highway

The 2026 E5 utilises a 58.9kWh (LFP) battery pack, which is highly durable and can be charged to 100% regularly without significant degradation.

• City Driving: The E5 is in its element here. The light steering and instant torque make it effortless to zip through Templestowe or Melbourne’s CBD. The 430km (WLTP) range is ample for over a week of average commuting.

• Highway Driving: On the freeway, the E5 is quiet and composed, though the "wallowy" suspension can feel a bit soft over large undulations. Energy consumption stays respectable at around 15.5kWh/100km.

• Actual Travel Distance: Expect a real-world range of approximately 350km–380km, depending on your use of the climate control and highway speeds.

Charging & Energy Management

• DC Fast Charging: Can charge from 30% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes. The charge port is conveniently located behind the front "Chery" badge.

• One-Pedal Lite: While it has multiple levels of regenerative braking, it doesn't quite offer a true "stop" one-pedal mode, though the highest setting is excellent for downhill speed control.

Interior, Infotainment & Connectivity

• The "Curved" Experience: The centrepiece is a massive 24.6 inch curved screen that combines the instrument cluster and infotainment into one seamless unit.

• BX vs. EX Cabin: The entry-level BX (Urban) features fabric/leatherette seats and a plastic steering wheel. Stepping up to the EX (Ultimate) adds full synthetic leather, a heated steering wheel, and an 8-speaker Sony audio system.

• Smart Commands: Features an advanced voice control system ("Hello Chery") that can open the sunroof, change the temperature, or operate the windows.

2026 Pricing & Specifications (Australia)

Variant	Battery (LFP)	Range (WLTP)	Power / Torque	RRP (MSRP)
E5 BX (Urban)	58.9kWh	430km	155kW / 288Nm	$36,990*
E5 EX (Ultimate)	58.9kWh	430km	155kW / 288Nm	$40,990*

*For more product details and specific state ORC head to: cherymotor.com.au

• Warranty: 7 Years / Unlimited KM Vehicle Warranty.

• Battery Warranty: 8 Years / 160,000km.

• Service Intervals: 12 months / 10,000km.

3 Years Free Servicing Offer

Chery Australia has confirmed a "Special Offer" for the E5 range that includes 3 years of free scheduled servicing.

• Expiry: This offer is strictly for vehicles ordered by March 31, 2026.

• Inclusions: The offer covers the first three logbook services. Based on the E5’s service schedule (12 months or 20,000km intervals), this provides coverage for up to the first 60,000km of driving.

• Value: With the E5's capped-price servicing typically starting at $149 for the first year and jumping to $349 for the second, this represents a direct saving of approximately $647 over the first three years.

Who should buy it?

The Chery E5 is the perfect choice for the pragmatic buyer who wants the latest digital tech without paying a European premium. Its standout feature, the full-size spare wheel makes it arguably the best budget EV for those who live in or frequently travel to regional areas where a tyre mobility kit won't cut it.