What's the difference?
Are you in the market for a cheap SUV? Are you ambivalent about what badge it wears? Do you like taking risks?
If you're answered yes to all those questions, do I have the car for you!
It's called the GAC Emzoom (that's e-m-zoom, so back off Mazda lawyers), and it's the latest in a seemingly endless list of new cars from new Chinese brands.
But unlike so many new models that fail to leave an impression, there are several reasons why the Emzoom is worth paying attention to.
This is the new Chery C5.
Not a Chevy C5 Corvette, Citroen C5, Sinclair C5 city trike or even a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy bomber, but a facelifted Omoda 5, with a fresh nose and a few (largely) welcome upgrades underneath.
But do they address the old model’s flaws? Which, for many reviewers, made it difficult to recommend, even against other equally cheap and cheerless small SUV rival alternatives, including the previous-shape MG ZS and GWM Haval Jolion.
Read on to find out.
Candidly, I really didn’t want to like the Emzoom. I think Australia has too many car brands already and the market is in danger of becoming overwhelmed with mediocre products at bargain prices that will squeeze out better but more expensive products.
But I cannot help but really be impressed by what GAC is offering. There’s no doubt the brand faces a major challenge expanding its dealership network to grow sales, but if it continues to deliver vehicles as nice as the Emzoom then it at least has a shot.
Not only is it affordable but it has style, space and is enjoyable to drive. For anyone in the market for a small SUV or just a sub-$30k new car, this should definitely be on your short-list.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.
Can a new name, fresh face and suspension update save Chery’s sleek SUV coupe from the ignominy of being one of the least pleasant options in its ultra-competitive class?
Sadly, not enough has been done for us to recommend the new C5.
As an affordable, stylish, roomy and zoomy SUV, the Chery definitely provides showroom appeal, especially given the decent warranty.
But, with lots of little niggles still present to distract and frustrate, the C5 is far from A1. Plus, with prices now creeping up, it doesn’t even have the cheap pricing of the old Omoda 5 to get it over the line.
Heading into 2026, Chery still needs to do better than this.