The base Chery C5 includes twin 10.25-inch displays – one for the driver instrumentation and the other for the centrally located multimedia touchscreen – as well as wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, rear air vents, powered folding mirrors, noise-cutting acoustic front door glass, “Hello, Chery” voice control and 17-inch alloy wheels. Seven airbags and a decent level of advanced driver assistance systems are also standard.

The Ultimate adds better audio, a powered tailgate, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a 360-degree monitor, sunroof with sunshade, wireless charger, imitation leather and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Chery C5 offers a larger and more practical interior than its coupe-SUV styling suggests, with easy entry/egress and ample space for most smaller families.

Like the Omoda 5 it replaces, the C5 boasts an elegant and simple dashboard treatment. Basically, it is a pair of 10.25-inch display screens (one ahead of the driver, the other a multimedia set-up perched in the centre), with a row of buttons and air vents below.

Plus points include a good driving position, attractive electronic instrumentation, excellent ventilation, great storage, comfy seats and a multimedia system that is not too confusing or fiddly to use. Having most of the main climate control buttons below help alleviate confusion, too.

Moving to the back seat, things look up again, with sufficient space for most smaller families to settle into. The bench is fine, offering adequate comfort for shorter journeys. Legroom is generous. And most amenities are present, even in the base grade.

The Chery C5 is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, making 108kW of power at 5500rpm and 210Nm of torque from 1750-4000rpm.

It drives the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, so comes only in automatic. Tipping the scales at 1462kg (kerb), the C5 Ultra offers a power-to-weight ratio of 73.9kW/tonne.

The Chery C5 is a five-seater small SUV. The front seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustment, though the front passenger one in the base Ultra lacks a height adjuster. Upholstery is cloth or imitation leather in the Ultimate grade.

The rear seat is fixed, so it neither reclines nor slides, though it does have a 60:40 split fold, for access into the boot area. Comfort and support is also adequate.

The Chery C5 can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h (0-100km/h) in around 9.9 seconds, on the way to a top speed of about 195km/h.

The Chery C5 has a combined average fuel consumption figure of 6.9L/100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 160 grams/km.

It is recommended that its 51-litre fuel tank is filled with 91 RON standard unleaded petrol, for a total range of around 740km.