Verdict
At RM116,800, the Chery O5 costs RM3,088 less than the Hyundai Kona yet brings a 230 Nm turbo motor, 18-inch wheels and a far fuller active-safety and convenience list. It is also 195 mm longer, with 378 litres of boot space against 361 litres. The Kona counters with 148 hp, a claimed 6.2 L/100 km and 9.7-second 0-100 km/h figures, plus RM440 annual road tax versus RM120. For a Malaysian buyer prioritising equipment and cabin room, the O5 is the sharper buy; choose the Kona for its published economy and much longer 300,000-km warranty coverage.
Pick the Chery O5 if you want lower purchase and road-tax costs, 230 Nm of torque, a larger body and comprehensive driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Hyundai Kona if published 6.2 L/100 km economy, a 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time and a 300,000-km warranty matter more than equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Chery O5 RM116,800; Hyundai Kona RM119,888.
- Road tax: Chery O5 RM120/year; Hyundai Kona RM440/year.
- Torque: Chery O5 230 Nm; Hyundai Kona 180 Nm.
- Length and boot: Chery O5 4,400 mm and 378 litres; Hyundai Kona 4,205 mm and 361 litres.
- Wheels: Chery O5 18-inch alloys with 215/55R18 tyres; Hyundai Kona 17-inch alloys with 215/55R17 tyres.
- Warranty: Chery O5 seven years/150,000 km; Hyundai Kona five years/300,000 km.
O5
- 230 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo petrol motor.
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot information and steering-correction lane keeping.
- 360-degree camera, ventilated power front seats and dual-zone climate control.
- No published 0-100 km/h or rated fuel-economy figure against the Kona's 9.7 seconds and 6.2 L/100 km.
- Heavier at 1,434 kg versus 1,315 kg.
- 150,000-km warranty limit is half the Kona's 300,000 km.
Kona
- Published 6.2 L/100 km fuel economy and 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 148 hp from a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle petrol engine.
- 300,000-km warranty coverage, double the O5's mileage limit.
- Costs RM3,088 more and has RM320 higher annual road tax.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot information system or lane-keeping assist.
- Smaller at 4,205 mm long, with a 361-litre boot versus 378 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM116,800✓ | RM119,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated Atkinson Cycle with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 145 hp | 148 hp✓ |
| Torque | 230 Nm✓ | 180 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 77 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed DCT | Intelligent Variable Transmission (iVT) |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 195 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 148 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,205 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,588 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,630 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,434 kg | 1,315 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 378 litres✓ | 361 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R18 | 215/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R18 | 215/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Giti GitiComfort F50 | Nexen N'Fera SU1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way Power Adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Single-zone |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide, Manual Sunshade | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 1 Front 15W Wireless Charger, 1 Front 12V Socket, 1 Rear USB, 1 Boot 12V Socket | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen Display, Sony Premium Audio with 8 Speakers, Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto | 8" Infotainment Touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto and 6 Speaker |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button with Remote Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Traction Control Mode (Snow, Mud, Sand) |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 300,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used O5 & Kona for sale
O5 vs Kona FAQ
Is the Chery O5 or Hyundai Kona better?
The Chery O5 is better equipped and cheaper, adding autonomous braking, blind-spot information, lane keeping, a 360-degree camera and 230 Nm. The Hyundai Kona suits buyers who place greater weight on its published 6.2 L/100 km economy, 9.7-second sprint and 300,000-km warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Kona costs RM3,088 more than the Chery O5. The O5 is also cheaper to tax annually: RM120 versus RM440.
Which has more boot space, the Chery O5 or Hyundai Kona?
The Chery O5 has the larger boot at 378 litres, 17 litres more than the Hyundai Kona's 361 litres. It is also 195 mm longer and has a 30 mm longer wheelbase.