Chery E5 electric SUV lines up a 2027 facelift with a sharper face and plusher cabin

Chery is preparing a model-year 2027 update for its E5 electric crossover, the brand's sole battery-powered offering in Australian showrooms. First launched Down Under in 2024 as the Omoda E5, it currently comes in a single Ultimate trim at $37,990 drive-away, and the company hasn't said whether that figure will carry over.

Visually, the refresh adds an active grille shutter, reworked bumpers at both ends and a motorised charging flap replacing the manual one — a front-end look Chery markets overseas as "Robo Shark design". Inside, the central touchscreen grows from 12.3 to 15.6 inches, an auto-dimming mirror joins the list, and the driver gains a four-way lumbar adjuster plus ventilation and massage, while the front passenger moves to six-way power adjustment with ventilation added. This spec is already fitted to export versions sold in Thailand and has been announced for Brazil, underlining that the E5 is primarily an export model for the Chinese automaker.

Mechanically nothing changes: the front-mounted motor keeps its 155kW and 288Nm, and the claimed 430km WLTP range is unchanged. Carried-over kit includes 18-inch alloys, wireless smartphone mirroring, synthetic-leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker audio system, and the five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The update lands as Chery's Australian sales climb 64.3 per cent in 2026 so far. The E5 will continue to undercut rivals such as the BYD Atto 3, MG S5 EV and Geely EX5 on price, while also fending off its Jaecoo J5 EV corporate cousin in the small electric SUV class.