Chery E5 Reviews

China is now the biggest country of origin for new-car sales in Australia, leapfrogging Japan in what is a seismic shift in the Australian automotive industry.

Chery has released the first official images of its new Tiggo 7L medium SUV and it represents a significant design departure from the Chinese brand’s existing Tiggo line-up.Four Chery Tiggo models are already on sale in Australia, from the compact Tiggo 4, through the mid-size Tiggo 7, to the full-size Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9 seven seaters.All offer hybrid propulsion options and each has a distinct look; traits which continue with the 7L newcomer.In China, the Tiggo 7 range consists of four models - Plus, High Performance Edition, Premium Edition and C-DM. Again, each with an individual design personality.The new car’s slim, angular headlights sit either side of a large, tapered grille with extra engine and brake cooling ducts lower down.Dark B-, C- and D-pillars create a ‘floating roof’ effect, 19-inch rims fill the wheel arches and the tail-lights illuminate with a jagged wave-like treatment. The minimalist interior features a two-tier dash connecting with indented door panels and a high centre console. Separate driver information and multimedia screens sit proud of the dash.The Tiggo 7L already exists in Russia, with this next-gen version its more contemporary replacement. It will be offered for Chinese domestic sale this time around as well as export to other selected markets, potentially as the Omoda C7.A Chery Motor Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide the company was “excited” to see the Tiggo 7L release, but “as it has only been released yesterday, there are no confirmed plans for Australia at this stage.”Powertrain details are yet to be detailed but expect to see a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder and seven-speed automatic transmission in two- and four-wheel drive configuration, currently rated at 110kW/275Nm in the Russian market.Another likely option is the 150kW/310Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid four-cylinder used in the Tiggo 7 CSH ‘Super Hybrid’.

What are the cheapest mid-sized SUVs in Australia?There are so many different models in what is one of Australia's most competitive market segments that it can be overwhelming for buyers.Given the family focus of this size of SUV, value for money is one of the main things buyers consider.At CarsGuide we know which models are the cheapest and we can also highlight their pros and cons. So here are the top three most affordable mid-sized SUVs in Australia right now.Chery Tiggo 7 Urban $29,990 drive-awayChery is one of the brands dominating the super-affordable end of the market. The Chinese carmaker is constantly making improvements and refining its models, while maintaining excellent value and the Tiggo 7 at $29,990 drive-away is a great example.The Tiggo 7 is a 4.5m-long five seater and this entry grade Urban has cloth upholstery. CarsGuide reviewers gave the Tiggo 7 high marks for value with a long standard features list even on this Urban entry grade. They include LED headlights, daytime running lights and tail-lights. There’s also 18-inch black alloy wheels, roof rails and proximity unlocking. There are twin 12.3-inch displays - one for your media screen and the other for your instrument cluster. There’s a six-speaker sound system, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s dual-zone climate control with second-row air vents, too.The Urban grade is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with front-wheel drive and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.The Tiggo 7 has a 356-litre boot making it relatively small for a mid-sized SUV. BYD Sealion 5 Essential $33,990 before on-road costsThe BYD Sealion 5 arrived in Australia in 2026 making it the newest SUV in our top three. It's priced from $33,990 before on-road costs for the entry grade Essential. It’s also our only plug-in hybrid here and it's the most affordable PHEV on sales in Australia.This five-seater SUV is our longest here as well at 4.7m end-to-end.Standard features include a 10.1-inch media touchscreen and an 8.1-inch digital driver display, six-speaker stereo, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s proximity unlocking, LED headlights, daytime running lights and tail-lights, plus 18-inch alloy wheels. Also standard is dual-zone climate control with directional vents for the second row.Powering the Sealion 5 is a plug-in hybrid system that combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor to drive the front wheels. CarsGuide reviewers like the Sealion 5 for its value for money, efficiency and for the way it drives, but the engine is noisy when pushed and the rear seats are quite firm.Safety is excellent with everything from auto emergency braking (AEB), lane keeping assistance and blind spot warning to rear cross-traffic alert with braking.ANCAP has yet to test the Sealion 5 due to its recent arrival. The Sealion 5 has a 463-litre boot, which is bigger than the Tiggo 7’s but wait until you see the MG HS’s cargo capacity.MG HS Vibe $33,990 drive-awayMG’s HS has the same price as the BYD, but the MG comes with drive-away pricing where the BYD's is before on-road costs.The new-gen HS arrived in late 2024, so this 4.7m long five-seater SUV looks and feels fresh and modern.Standard features for the Vibe include 18-inch alloy wheels, twin 12.3-inch screens for media and driver displays, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights and daytime running lights, reversing camera, proximity unlocking, black fabric seats with power driver’s seat and a six-speaker stereo system.CarsGuide reviewers like the HS's smooth ride and spacious interior.Powering the HS Vibe is 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Reviewers, however, said servicing was overly expensive.We also thought the safety features list was particularly extensive with AEB, lane keeping assistance, front and rear cross-traffic alert and blind spot warning. A downside to the safety tech was the intrusive driver alerts.The HS scored the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2024.The MG HS has the largest cargo capacity here with a 507-litre boot.

Chery has officially unveiled its QQ3 small electric hatchback in China.Chery Australia could not yet confirm whether the QQ3 was destined for Australia, but we know the brand is keen on the prospect. Local Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris has already signalled his desire for an electric hatchback to launch Down Under.“I think having a very small and then a small hatchback would be a game changer,” Harris said.“I think there’s a huge amount of potential in those segments, and at the moment I think those segments are a little bit stale and not that interesting.“So if we could bring something like the QQ, I think it’d be a huge amount of opportunity.”The QQ3 sits as a rival to other small budget EVs, which in Australia, would be fellow Chinese competitors such as the BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora and MG4 - all sitting around the $30k price bracket. Expect Chery's hatch to sit in a similar price bracket, if not even more affordable, if it comes to Australia with it being positioned generally as a budget EV. It would likely need more power than its entry-level 58kW output from its single rear-mounted electric motor as debuted in China to be competitive in our market. There is also a 90kW set-up, but that also seems a touch under-powered compared to rivals.Its lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery options offer a driving range of either 280km or 401km, but that is calculated using the lenient CLTC testing cycle. More-accurate-to-real-world WLTP numbers are often noticeably less than that.On the inside, the car has a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and dual 50W wireless phone chargers. It will also be able to be optioned with heated and ventilated seats, as well as a heated steering wheel, following in the footsteps of other Chery models which offer high spec at a low entry price.The car gets the typical QQ bubble exterior design, with a segmented, round front and rear headlight design that houses diagonal strips. It rides on 17-inch wheels.Deliveries on the new QQ3 are scheduled to begin next month in its Chinese home market. Expect to learn more about Chery's range expansion as it follows up on the much-anticipated launch of its first dual-cab with a unique diesel hybrid powertrain later this year.

Chery has just confirmed its new ute will use a surprising and revolutionary diesel plug-in hybrid set-up.What is most surprising about it is no other ute-maker has done it before, not even Toyota - the master of diesel utes and hybrid power.Chery’s Executive Director of Engineering Peter Matkin summed it up simply.“It’s easier to do the gasoline version,” he said.Underneath the bonnet of the ute — codenamed KP31 — is a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine paired with an electric motor or two and a sizeable battery.Details are scarce, but its torque outputs will be mega.The high torque figures delivered by the combination of diesel and electric power — two fuel sources that create a lot of torque — was one of the benefits of this new set-up compared to more conventional petrol-electric plug-in hybrids, according to Matkin.Chery Australia Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris said the new ute had to be tough and the diesel-electric combo gave it the best chance to achieve that capability Australians demand from a ute.“I believe Chery has one chance to prove that we can build and deliver a highly capable ute,” said Harris.“And so to do that, it needs towing capability, payload capability, all-terrain capability. Particularly all-terrain capability, you know, you get people towing caravans on the beach. You really do need the torque and power delivery that a diesel gives you down low to be able to do those things.”Chery said the new ute will be able to tow 3500kg and handle a one-tonne payload.It will have front, centre and rear diff locks, and it should have low gearing for proper off-roading.Harris also said the brand’s plug-in hybrid technology — which it dubs Super Hybrid — brings countless benefits on the road, too.“The driving feeling and experience is so much better than an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) only product."“We've been a bit demanding, we want the best of both worlds,” he said.Harris explained the Super Hybrid tech delivers smoother and more efficient highway motoring and significantly improved the refinement of the vehicle by reducing NVH levels.That’s a bit of jargon that stands for Noise, Vibration, and Harshness, which means you’ll hear and feel the engine less in the cabin making it feel more SUV-like.Harris also said being different was good, too.“And it's a bit different. Nobody else has it, so it's a nice thing for us to have and do differently,” he said.While no carmakers offer diesel plug-in hybrid models in Australia, Audi sold a diesel PHEV version of the Q7 nearly a decade ago, and Mercedes-Benz sells versions of the E-Class, GLE and GLC in Europe with the tech.

What is the cheapest new small SUV in Australia? We know, but you should, too, if you’re looking for a little SUV that won’t cost you big dollars.By small, we mean a step up from the very tiny light SUVs such as a Hyundai Venue but not as big as a mid-sized SUV like a Toyota RAV 4.So without any more delay, these are the top 3 most affordable small SUVs in Australia right now.The Chery Tiggo 4 is the most affordable small SUV in Australia at the time of publishing at a driveaway price of $23,990 for the entry grade Urban. And just to stress, drive-away pricing means on-road costs like stamp duty, registration, dealer delivery and compulsory third part are all paid.The Tiggo 4 Urban has been tested by CarsGuide’s reviewers who found it surprisingly spacious, well equipped for the money and also fuel efficient.Drawbacks of the Urban include it not being as good value as other Chery models and it also being not very memorable to drive.Powering the Tiggo 4 Vibe is a 1.5-litre petrol engine in front-wheel drive.Standard features on the Urban include a 10.25-inch media screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control and cloth seats.There are five seats and a 470 litre boot - measured to the roof.The Tiggo 4 scored the maximum five stars for its ANCAP safety test in 2023. MG has earned its place in Aussie driveways with vehicles that continually improve and the new ZS is a good example of that constant refinement while staying incredibly affordable. In this case the entry-grade ZS Vibe is $25,888 drive-away. CarsGuide reviewers said the ZS in the Vibe grade was spacious, good value, and had a refined and stylish look.A 1.5-litre petrol engine drives the front wheels, but reviewers felt the engine was underpowered.Standard features include a 10.25-inch media screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, air-conditioning and fabric seats. There are five seats and a 443-litre boot.ANCAP gave the ZS the maximum five-star rating for safety in 2025.The third most affordable small SUV in Australia is the super popular GWM Haval Jolion in the Premium grade, which wears a list price (not drive-away like the others here) of $26,990.CarsGuide reviewers called out its roominess, good looks and low ownership costs.Despite the name, Premium is the entry grade and standard features include keyless entry, a 10.25-inch touch screen and air-conditioning. Reviewers also said the driving experience was let down by an underwhelming engine and annoying safety alerts.A 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine drives the front wheels.There are five seats on board and the boot is quite small at 337-litres.ANCAP awarded the Jolion the maximum five-star safety rating in 2022.

Chery could soon be offering not one but two new utes in Australia, with a moncoque concept being on the local division's radar after the highly-anticipated diesel hybrid arrives.

Chery has unveiled its first-ever ute model code-named ‘KP31’ which will be launched this year with a rare diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV) set-up.

A new hope emerges for once-favourite car body styles in Australia.

Two months into the long-term test of the Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid now and I know this car so well it could put me down as a referee next time it applies for a job. So here’s the reference so far, and while this large plug-in hybrid SUV is excellent in many ways there are a couple of personality traits you’d want me to tell you about. In the first instalment last month we discovered what the Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid does best - not use much fuel. We travelled 869km on a single 60-litre petrol tank. That was a record for me in all my time testing vehicles and average fuel consumption worked out to be 6.1L/100km.The catch, as with all plug-in hybrids, is you have to charge it regularly. I found if the charge in the battery fell below 40 per cent the fuel consumption started to climb fast as the engine worked to keep the battery charged and drive the wheels.This month we drove 510 kilometres with half a tank left - I refilled to full and put in 27.7 litres. That works out to be 5.4L/100km. So while I didn’t break any long distance personal bests, I probably would have, had I driven it more. The reason I didn’t drive it further is because in the past week I’ve been testing the Toyota GR Yaris which is so fun to drive I chose it over the Tiggo 8 for every trip we did. And that brings me to the first not-so-great thing about the Tiggo 8 - the way it drives.The Tiggo 8 isn’t bad to drive, it’s just not great, if that makes sense. I will say it’s comfortable but to the point where the suspension is so soft and ‘bouncy’ that there are times when the SUV doesn’t feel as planted as it should be. This is especially noticeable in bends with mid-corner bumps where it can become unsettled. Acceleration can overcome traction, too, causing the tyres to squeal just because you didn’t dab the accelerator with the pressure of a feather. This takes some getting used to but it’s not a deal breaker.The driving position might be a deal breaker for you, though. The driver’s seat is too high, even on the lowest setting. I think this might be to do with the battery under the floor eating into the cabin space.But I think the worst characteristic of the Tiggo 8 is the gear shifter which requires so much force to be placed on the brake pedal when shifting from Drive to Reverse otherwise neutral is engaged. The number of times I’ve been half way through a three-point turn and holding up traffic because I keep rolling back in neutral is beyond a joke.It’s not all bad, I promise. Actually it’s mostly all good - especially the way Tiggo 8 unlocks itself, opens the door handles, switches the LED headlights on and turns the climate control on as it detects the key but before you even reach the car. The reverse goes for when you leave the car - it locks itself automatically. No need to get the key out or even touch the door handle. The boot’s hands-free ‘foot-sweep’ gesture control function also works really well. Even today with my hands full of grocery bags I didn’t have to put them down to open the tailgate.This month the Tiggo 8 has been hauling a variety of cargo from large boxes to grocery shopping. I’ve been impressed constantly by its boot capacity and even the space behind the third row is excellent.  The design of the floating centre console is outstanding with storage underneath and wide open area on top to charge your phone. There’s nothing worse than cars which have hidey holes for phones to charge, making them hard to retrieve.People space is also great and having the option to move the front passenger seat forward from the rear row using controls mounted on the seat is so helpful as a parent trying to get small children into their own seats.Well, that’s it for this month - this next instalment you read will be the last and hopefully I’ll be able to drive enough to get my 869km from a single tank. Acquired: December, 2025Distance travelled this month: 510kmOdometer: 8267kmAverage fuel consumption this month: 5.4L/100km (measured at the pump)