The Chery C5 — previously known as the Amoda 5 — has been renamed and refined for the Australian market. Priced at just $30,000 drive-away, it’s one of the most affordable family SUVs available today. Despite the low price, this car delivers impressive value, practicality, and modern features.
Design and Exterior Changes
Chery has overhauled the front end of the C5 with a redesigned grille, sharper LED headlights, and improved aerodynamic elements. While the pearlescent white finish might look a little plain, the new styling gives the SUV a more premium stance for its class.
The Chery C5 SUV rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with a brushed and machined finish, wrapped in Giti tires. Black wheel arch cladding, faux carbon accents, and LED taillights give it a modern, urban look.
One of the biggest mechanical upgrades is the switch from a torsion-beam rear suspension to a multi-link setup — a big step up that improves comfort and handling, especially over bumps and corners.
Interior and Infotainment Features
Inside, the Chery C5 continues to impress with two 10.25-inch displays — one for infotainment and one for the driver’s digital cluster. The infotainment system supports both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s quick to respond, intuitive, and visually sharp.
A small disappointment, however, is that voice control, which worked perfectly in previous models, now seems less reliable. Other interior highlights include:
- Manual glove box and air-conditioned center console
- USB and 12V ports for connectivity
- Ample cabin storage and a dash-mounted USB for dash cams
- Manual passenger seat and electric adjustment for the driver
The seats are well-padded with fabric inserts and offer good comfort for city driving. The overall cabin layout is functional, though the piano black surfaces tend to attract fingerprints easily.
Rear Seat Space and Cargo Capacity
In the second row, passengers get decent knee and headroom, though toe space is slightly tight. The C5 offers three top tether points for child seats, making it a family-friendly compact SUV.
Cargo space has increased slightly thanks to the upgraded rear suspension. The boot now offers around 400 liters of storage — enough for small families and urban trips. Beneath the floor sits a space-saver spare tire.
Engine and Transmission
Under the hood, the Chery C5 SUV uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing just over 100 kW and 200 Nm of torque. While not a powerhouse, it’s sufficient for daily driving and highway cruising.
The biggest change from the previous version is the move from a CVT to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. While it improves responsiveness at higher speeds, it can feel jerky at low speeds and awkward when parking or driving uphill.
Fuel economy is officially rated at 7.0 L/100 km, though real-world results hover closer to 8.5–9.0 L/100 km during mixed driving.
Ride and Handling Improvements
The multi-link rear suspension is the star of this Chery C5 review. It significantly improves ride quality compared to the old torsion-beam setup. The C5 now handles corners with better composure and less body roll, offering a smoother city ride.
However, at highway speeds, the suspension can feel slightly floaty over undulating surfaces. It’s comfortable on rough city roads but could use fine-tuning for long country drives.
Noise levels inside the cabin are moderate. While the ride feels soft and compliant, coarse-chip road surfaces can produce noticeable tire noise.
Safety and Driver Assistance
The C5 includes a full suite of active safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and driver monitoring. These systems have been improved from earlier models, with the driver monitoring now less intrusive and the lane departure warning smoother.
However, the lane-centering assist still needs calibration, as it tends to hug the left side of the lane rather than staying centered.
Performance and Braking Tests
In performance testing, the Chery C5 SUV achieved 0–100 km/h in 10.3 seconds — slightly slower than the previous CVT-equipped model. Braking from 100 km/h to 0 took 41.3 meters, which is below average for this segment.
Despite its slower acceleration and longer braking distance, the car remains stable during everyday driving. The new gearbox does deliver quicker gear changes during spirited driving, though it’s less refined in stop-and-go traffic.
Pros and Cons of the Chery C5 SUV
Pros:
- Excellent value for money ($30K drive-away)
- Comfortable and spacious interior
- Strong infotainment system with wireless connectivity
- Improved ride quality from multi-link suspension
- Family-friendly practicality
Cons:
- Jerky dual-clutch gearbox at low speeds
- Slightly higher fuel use than claimed
- No full-size spare tire
- Lane assist system still inconsistent
Final Verdict on the Chery C5 Review
The Chery C5 2025 represents impressive value for money. With its refined design, improved comfort, and strong feature list, it’s hard to ignore in the small SUV category. The ride is smoother, the cabin is better built, and the tech is surprisingly premium for its price point.
While it’s not perfect — the gearbox and safety systems need refining — the Chery C5 proves that affordable SUVs can deliver quality and comfort without breaking the bank.
For official specs and updates, visit Chery Australia’s website.