The barrier to entry into electrical motoring retains getting decrease.
And, with gasoline costs on the rise, the reasonably priced finish of the EV spectrum may develop into much more enticing for Aussie households trying to tighten their purse strings.
So let’s evaluate two of the most effective budget-friendly battery-powered small SUVs – the Chery E5 and the BYD Atto 3 – to see which comes out on high.
How a lot?
The Chery E5 (previously generally known as the Chery Omoda E5) is out there in two mannequin grades – the entry-level City that prices $36,990 plus on-road prices, and the flagship Final that instructions a $4000 premium.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices / Drive-away pricing |
|---|---|
|
BYD Atto 3 Premium |
$44,990 |
|
Chery E5 Final |
$40,990 |
Knowledge on this desk is correct on the time of publishing and doesn’t replace dynamically.
Equally, BYD presents simply two variations of the Atto 3: the entry-level Important that prices $39,990 plus on-roads and the range-topping Premium that prices $44,990 plus ORCs. An up to date model of the Atto 3 is coming later this 12 months.
Till then, whichever degree you’re at present, the Chery is the extra reasonably priced choice right here. And from right here on, we’ll evaluate each absolutely loaded mannequin grades.
What do you get?
As new challenger manufacturers for the established gamers, each Chery and BYD ship loads for the comparatively small outlay required to get into these two small electrical SUVs.
The flagship variants of every mannequin include a bunch of ordinary tools, together with:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights and tail-lights
- Energy tailgate
- Panoramic sunroof
- Artificial leather-based trim
- Electrically adjustable entrance seats
- Heated entrance seats
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Smartphone mirroring
- Bluetooth connectivity
- DAB+ digital radio
- 8-speaker audio system
Nonetheless, the Chery E5 goes a step additional than the BYD Atto 3 in just a few key areas. The place the BYD has simply common, single-zone air-conditioning, the E5 has dual-zone local weather management, plus heated outboard rear seats and a heated steering wheel.
As for his or her digital shows, every takes a barely completely different path. The Chery E5 has twin 12.3-inch screens linked collectively throughout the dashboard, whereas the BYD Atto 3 has a smaller 5.0-inch instrument cluster however a bigger 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen that may rotate between portrait and panorama orientations.
Are they protected?
Each of those autos have a most five-star ANCAP score from 2022 once they had been first examined, however they obtain their high security gong in numerous methods.
| Class | BYD Atto 3 | Chery E5 |
|---|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 91.0 per cent | 87.0 per cent |
| Baby occupant safety | 84.0 per cent | 88.0 per cent |
| Weak highway consumer safety | 69.0 per cent | 68.0 per cent |
| Security help | 80.0 per cent | 83.0 per cent |
Knowledge on this desk is constantly refreshed from our backend programs to make sure accuracy and consistency. Final replace: 29 March 2026.
The Chery scores larger for baby occupant safety (88 vs 84 per cent) and security help (83 vs 80 per cent), whereas the BYD scores larger for grownup occupant safety (91 vs 87 per cent) and susceptible highway consumer safety (69 vs 68 per cent).
Each are geared up with a complete suite of superior energetic and passive security programs and driver aids, together with:
- 7 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Ahead collision warning
- Adaptive cruise management
- Lane maintaining help
- Rear cross-traffic alert with auto braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- 360-degree cameras
What are they like inside?
Right here’s the place these automobiles diverge probably the most, not by way of house and practicality however in design and look.
Each the Chery E5 and BYD Atto 3 are bodily across the similar dimension. The E5 measures 4424mm lengthy, rides on a 2610mm wheelbase, is 1588mm vast and stands 1830mm tall.
The Atto 3, as compared, is fractionally longer at 4455mm (and formally classed as a mid-size SUV, regardless that it’s a lot shorter than most of them), has barely more room between the entrance and rear axles with an extended 2720mm wheelbase, and is wider (1875mm) however sits decrease (1615mm).
Each present seating for 5 with good headroom, plus first rate cargo capability. Chery claims the E5 has 300 litres of boot house (measured as much as the cargo cowl), whereas BYD says the Atto 3 has 440L – which is presumably measured to the roof.
Nonetheless, as a result of the Atto 3 is constructed on a devoted EV platform whereas the E5 is customized from typical structure, rear-seat occupants will discover barely more room, a flatter ground, and simpler entry within the BYD than they may within the Chery.
Practicalities apart although, the E5’s inside design is much extra palatable and classier than the Atto 3’s bizarre swoops, toothy grilles, clumsy door handles and odd banjo-string door pockets. It’s an inside that polarises and also you’ll both love or detest it.
The Chery’s general aesthetic is extra conservative and simpler to reside with.
| Dimensions | 2025 BYD Atto 3 Premium | 2025 Chery E5 Final |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 4455 mm | 4424 mm |
| Width | 1875 mm | 1830 mm |
| Top | 1615 mm | 1588 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2720 mm | 2610 mm |
| Cargo capability | 440 L | 300 L |
Knowledge on this desk is constantly refreshed from our backend programs to make sure accuracy and consistency. Final replace: 29 March 2026.
What’s below the bonnet?
There’s not loads to separate these two on the subject of their mechanical make-up.
| Specs |
2025 BYD Atto 3 Premium |
2025 Chery E5 Final |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 150 kW at 4620 rpm |
155kW |
| Torque | 310 Nm at 0 rpm |
288Nm |
| Drive sort | Entrance | Entrance |
| Battery | 60.48 | 61.10 |
| Weight | 1750 kg | 1776 kg |
| 0-100 km/h (claimed) | 7.3 | 7.2 |
| Claimed vary | 420 | 430 |
| Vitality consumption(claimed) | 14.9 kWh/100km | 13.0 kWh/100km |
| Max AC cost price | 7.00 kW | 6.60 kW |
| Max AC cost price | 7.00 kW | 6.60 kW |
| Max DC cost price | 88.00 kW | 80.00 kW |
| Engine | – | – |
| Transmission | Automated | Automated |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | – | – |
| Gasoline tank capability | – | – |
| Gasoline tank capability | – | – |
| CO2 Emissions | 0 g/km | 0 g/km |
| Emissions normal | ZEV | ZEV |
| Payload | – | – |
| Braked tow capability | 750 kg | – |
| Gross automobile mass (GVM) | 2160 kg | 2246 kg |
Knowledge on this desk is correct on the time of publishing and doesn’t replace dynamically.
Manually up to date: This information is correct on the time of publishing and doesn’t replace dynamically.
Each have a everlasting magnet synchronous electrical motor below the bonnet that drives the entrance wheels by means of a single-speed discount gearbox, and is powered by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack.
The Chery E5 produces 155kW of energy and 288Nm of torque, and its battery has 58.9kWh of useable capability. The utmost cost price is 6.6kW through a single-phase AC home energy outlet, 9.9-10.3kW on three-phase energy (each utilizing the onboard 11kW/22kW AC charger), and 130kW through a DC fast-charger.
Chery claims the battery will be replenished from 10-80 per cent by means of its CCS2 connector in round half-hour, and that the E5 is able to delivering a complete driving vary of as much as 430km.
The BYD Atto 3, however, produces fractionally much less energy (150kW) however extra torque (310Nm), and has a barely greater battery at 60.5kWh however decrease charging charges of 7kW on AC energy and 88kW on DC energy.
BYD says the battery will be replenished between 30-80 per cent in round half-hour, and offers as much as 420km of driving vary – 10km lower than the Chery.
Price of possession
BYD has fairly good aftersales provisions together with a six-year, 150,000km guarantee on the automobile and an eight-year, 160,000km assure on the battery, plus free roadside help for the primary 12 months.
| Servicing and Guarantee | 2025 BYD Atto 3 Premium | 2025 Chery E5 Final |
|---|---|---|
| Guarantee | 6 12 months / 150000 km | 7 12 months / Limitless km |
| Roadside help | 12 month / Limitless miles | 12 month / Limitless miles |
| Service intervals | 12 month / 20,000 km | 12 month / 20,000 km |
| Capped-price servicing |
As much as 11 years |
As much as 7 years |
| Whole capped-price service price |
$2291 – 7 years |
$1586 – 7 years |
Knowledge on this desk is constantly refreshed from our backend programs to make sure accuracy and consistency. Final replace: 29 March 2026.
Manually up to date: This information is correct on the time of publishing and doesn’t replace dynamically.
This may be prolonged every time the automobile is serviced by a BYD vendor at really helpful intervals of 12 months or 20,000km (whichever comes first). Service pricing varies between $165 for minor check-ups to $635 for main work, and prices a complete of $2291 over the primary seven years.
Chery presents extra peace of thoughts with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee for the automobile and eight years, limitless kilometres for the battery. Equally, it presents free roadside help for the primary 12 months of possession, which will be prolonged to as much as seven years every time the automobile is serviced by means of the Chery community. Service intervals are the identical because the BYD – 12 months or 20,000km.
Service prices differ between $149 for check-ups to $582 for a significant service at 120,000km, and whole $1586 over the primary seven years.
CarExpert’s Decide: Chery E5
There’s little or no that separates these two automobiles from a bodily perspective.
Each of those small electrical SUVs signify reasonably priced and sensible entry factors into the EV world, providing spacious cabins full of tech and conveniences, whereas additionally offering first rate efficiency and a workable driving vary.
However the Chery delivers all this for much less, and so it comes out on high right here.
Click on the pictures for the total gallery
MORE: Discover BYD Atto 3 showroom
MORE: Discover the Chery E5 showroom
