What's the difference?
Chery is continuing to build out its SUV line-up in Australia, and the C5 slots in below the larger Tiggo 7 and 8 models. Now, there’s a new hybrid option joining the C5 line-up.
The C5 Hybrid Urban is a small SUV with plenty of standard equipment, hybrid power and a price that might make some of its rivals a little nervous. But is it actually any good? I’ve spent a week behind the wheel to find out for you.
The Nissan Juke was meant to herald a new era for Nissan in Australia.
It was the first in a slew of new-generation SUVs and has now been joined by the Qashqai, X-Trail, and Pathfinder as part of a new-look Nissan.
Unlike those others, though, the Juke hasn’t quite resonated with buyers. Since arriving to what Nissan probably expected to be fanfare back in 2020, the new Juke has since sunk to the bottom of its compact SUV segment, outselling only a handful of other models.
So, what went wrong? Is the quirky styling of the Juke too much? Are there too many appealing choices in the compact SUV space? Alternatively, could the Juke be an underrated gem worth checking out?
I find myself in an upper mid-spec ST-L to find out.
The Chery C5 Hybrid Urban does manage to be cheap and cheerful for some things and it should tick some boxes for those wanting premium features and good fuel economy without breaking the bank. However, it’s ride, handling and tech didn’t convince me.
For someone who prioritises price, features and fuel economy above all else, the C5 Hybrid Urban could make a lot more sense.
The Juke is a fun little car. It looks cool, it packs most of the important features and safety equipment, but while it can be fun to drive, it’s also a little clunky around town.
It’s so frustrating, because there is a great car in there somewhere, and it would take only small tweaks and enhancements to bring it out.