Kia Stonic vs Chery C5
What's the difference?

Kia Stonic

$28,180 - $36,040

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Chery C5

$27,990 - $34,990

2026 price

View pricing & specs

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Summary

2026 Kia Stonic

2026 Chery C5

By Andrew Chesterton

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

—

Turbo 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type

—

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

—

4.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Nice ride and handling balance
Frugal fuel use
Spacious backseat

Sharp pricing
Hybrid efficiency
Plenty of standard features

Dislikes

Sparse cabin trimmings
Little engine can feel wheezy
Feels old in places

Laggy multimedia system
Noisy on the open road
Basic safety equipment

2026 Kia Stonic Summary

This might be Kia's best defence yet against the wave of cheap Chinese SUVs currently crashing against our shores.

It's the Kia Stonic, and this update brings mild hybrid technology, which lowers your fuel bill while upping your power. There's also some new tech stuff and some new safety stuff, as well as a refreshed front-end look.

Critically, though, it's not actually new. The Stonic launched globally back in 2017, before an updated version arrived in Australia around 2021. This is yet another update, albeit a significant one, which means the Stonic has been given dual-cab ute levels of longevity in the market.

All of that should be helping Kia to keep the pencil sharp, with the new range kicking off at $28,180, plus on-road costs.

Not quite China cheap, but not too far off it.

View full pricing & specs

2026 Chery C5 Summary

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.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2026 Kia Stonic 2026 Chery C5

Verdict

Unlike a lot of rivals in this segment, the Stonic's actually quite a bit of fun to drive, and that alone earns it a tick from me.

Yes, it can feel underpowered in places, especially when you're trying to do high-speed overtakes or if you're on a really engaging road and on and off the accelerator. But just cruising around, the little powertrain gives you plenty to get around the city.

And I guess that is the point. This does feel like a very city-friendly vehicle, even if it is undeniably showing its age in places.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer with meals provided.

Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics (https://www.carsguide.com.au/ethics), and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Verdict

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.

Kia Stonic vs Chery C5 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Kia Stonic vs Chery C5
What's the difference?