Chery upgrades E5 EV for MY27

CHERY Australia will bolster the specification of its E5 electric SUV for MY27, adding a larger infotainment screen, improved front seats, and several convenience upgrades while retaining its 430km driving range.

Pricing and Australian arrival timing for the updated model are yet to be announced, with Chery saying further details will be confirmed closer to its showroom debut.

The MY27 update follows significant price repositioning for the E5 earlier this year, when the sole MY26 Ultimate variant was reduced to $37,990 driveaway – $3000 below its $40,990 manufacturer’s recommended list price.

Prior to the MY26 range rationalisation, the E5 was offered in Urban and Ultimate grades priced from $36,990 and $40,990 plus on-road costs respectively. Chery subsequently confirmed the Ultimate would become the only E5 variant offered for MY26.

Whether the enhanced MY27 model will retain the existing $37,990 d/a positioning remains to be seen.

The most obvious change inside is a significant increase in infotainment screen size, with the existing 12.3-inch central display replaced by a 15.6-inch unit.

The driver’s seat gains four-way lumbar adjustment, ventilation and a massage function, while the front passenger seat moves from four-way to six-way electric adjustment and also adds ventilation.

Both front seats remain heated.

Other MY27 changes include an auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror, electrically operated charging-port cover and active grille shutter.

The latter is designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency by closing when additional cooling airflow is not required.

Standard equipment continues to include 18-inch alloy wheels, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Chery intelligent voice control, an eight-speaker sound system, synthetic leather upholstery, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

A comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems also remains standard.

The updated equipment builds on a model Chery has progressively repositioned since its Australian introduction as the Omoda E5 in late 2024.

At launch, the electric SUV was offered in BX and EX grades priced from $42,990 and $45,990 + ORC respectively.

The model was subsequently renamed simply E5 as Chery separated its Omoda branding locally, with the BX becoming Urban and EX renamed Ultimate.

Those changes were accompanied by substantial price cuts, taking the Urban to $36,990 and Ultimate to $40,990 + ORC for MY25.

The MY26 Ultimate’s subsequent $37,990 d/a offer sharpened the value proposition further and positioned the E5 among Australia’s more affordable battery-electric SUVs.

Mechanical changes for MY27 appear limited.

The updated E5 continues with a single front-mounted electric motor producing 155kW and 288Nm and offers a claimed driving range of up to 430km on the WLTP cycle.

Earlier versions of the E5 launched locally with outputs of 150kW and 340Nm, supplied by a 61.1kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery. The original specification offered the same 430km WLTP driving range.

The MY27 announcement does not detail any change to battery capacity or charging performance.

Current E5 models support AC charging at up to 6.6kW on single phase or 9.9kW on three phase, while the original Australian specification supported DC fast charging at up to 80kW.

Chery’s latest update therefore concentrates largely on perceived cabin quality and convenience rather than extending driving range or increasing performance.

The addition of ventilated front seats, a driver massage function and substantially larger central display should also help distinguish the E5 in an increasingly crowded affordable EV segment, where equipment levels and pricing are becoming as important as outright range.

Chery Motor Australia says pricing and final availability for the MY27 E5 will be announced closer to its arrival in dealerships.