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    Australians love SUVs, especially affordable ones.

    With that in mind, Chinese challenger brands are fighting to beat established rivals on value.

    The Chery Omoda 5 and MG ZST both fit that profile, and the latter is winning the budget SUV sales war.

    A total of 11,809 examples of the MG ZS (including ZST and ZS EV) were delivered through the first half of 2024, while Chery moved 2933 Omoda 5 models.

    Sales figures don’t always tell the full story though, and Chery has been busily working to expand the Omoda 5 lineup.

    With that in mind, let’s see how the mid-spec Chery Omoda 5 BX stacks up against the flagship MG ZST Essence.

    Pricing

    This matchup pits a lower specification model against a flagship, but both the Chery Omoda 5 BX and top specification MG ZST Essence share similar drive-away prices.

    The MG ZST range starts at $26,990 drive-away for the Core, and extends to $31,490 drive-away for the Essence.

    The Chery Omoda 5 lineup starts at $27,990 drive-away for the new entry-level FX variant, and extends to more than $40,000 drive-away for the GT AWD.

    ModelDrive-away pricing
    2024 Chery Omoda 5 BX$33,990
    2024 MG ZST Essence$31,490

    Drivetrains and efficiency

    These cars offer different powertrain setups, but both have small displacement turbocharged engines.

    The Omoda 5 BX features a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 108kW and 210Nm, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

    Despite packing one less cylinder the ZST 1.3-litre boasts more power and torque, while emitting less carbon dioxide.

    You’ll be forced to fill up more often though, as the MG is less efficient and has a smaller fuel tank.

    Chery Omoda 5 BXMG ZST Essence
    Engine1.5L turbo 4cyl1.3L turbo 3cyl
    Power108kW115kW
    Torque210Nm230Nm
    TransmissionCVT6-speed auto
    Driven wheelsFront-wheel driveFront-wheel drive
    Fuel economy (claimed)6.9L/100km7.1L/100km
    Fuel tank capacity51L45L
    Fuel type91 RON91 RON
    CO2 (combined)164g/km162g/km

    Dimensions

    The Chery Omoda 5 is longer, wider, and has a lower roof than the MG ZST, giving it a more streamlined design.

    That also compromises the interior space of the Chery, which has less cargo room with the seats folded down.

    The ZST is 102kg lighter.

    Chery Omoda 5 BXMG ZST Essence
    Length4374mm4323mm
    Width1830mm1809mm
    Height1588mm1653mm
    Wheelbase2610mm2585mm
    Minimum boot space360L359L
    Maximum boot space (rear seats folded)1075L1187L
    Weight (tare)1393kg1295kg

    Servicing and warranty

    The Chery Omoda 5 and MG ZST are both backed by seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranties.

    Both models also share the same service intervals, however the MG is more expensive to maintain over the first seven years of ownership.

    MG includes seven years of roadside assist as part of its aftersales package, whereas Chery requires owners to service their car at a dealership to access the same length of support.

    Chery Omoda 5 BXMG ZST Essence
    Warranty7 years, unlimited kilometres7 years, unlimited kilometres
    Service interval12 months or 10,000km12 months or 10,000km
    1st service price$280$262
    2nd service price$280$311
    3rd service price$280$314
    4th service price$280$439
    5th service price$280$262
    6th service price$391.04$363
    7th service price$295.54$262
    Total first 7 years$2086.58$2213
    Avg. annual service price first 7 years$298.08$316.14

    Safety

    The Chery Omoda 5 has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP based on testing conducted in 2022.

    ANCAP has yet to crash test the ZST, however the related ZS was crash-tested and received a four-star rating back in 2017. This rating expires in December 2024.

    It’s worth mentioning the ZS EV, which features the same suite of active safety technology as the ZST, scored a five-star rating when it was tested in 2019.

    Here’s a breakdown of the standard safety equipment on each car:

    Chery Omoda 5 BXMG ZST Essence
    Airbags86
    Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)YesYes
    Lane-keep assistYesYes
    Blind-spot monitoringYesYes
    Adaptive cruise controlYesYes
    Traffic sign recognitionYesYes
    Driver monitoringYesNo
    Reversing cameraYesYes
    Surround-view cameraNoYes
    Rear cross-traffic alertYesYes
    Parking sensorsYesYes
    Park assistNoNo
    Tyre pressure monitoringYesYes

    Standard features

    The Chery Omoda 5 is a newer car than the more established MG, bringing more tech to the table, but it also lacks some of the luxuries found in a kitted out ZST.

    Chery Omoda 5 BXMG ZST Essence
    Wheels18-inch alloy wheels17-inch alloy wheels
    Spare wheelSpace saverSpace saver
    HeadlightsLED LED
    Fog lightsYesYes
    WipersRain-sensingRain-sensing
    Side mirrorsPower-foldingManual
    SunroofNoPanoramic sunroof
    TailgateManualPowered

    The Omoda 5 BX and ZST Essence trade blows on exterior specifications, with both cars boasting unique features.

    Chery equips the Omoda 5 BX with power-folding side mirrors and 18-inch alloys as standard, both are upgrades over the ZST.

    However, the MG comes as standard with a panoramic sunroof and powered tailgate.

    Chery Omoda 5 BXMG ZST Essence
    UpholsteryLeatheretteLeatherette
    Front seats6-way power adjustable6-way power-adjustable, heated
    Rear seatsRear centre armrest with cupholdersNo armrest
    Steering wheelLeatherette-wrappedLeather-wrapped
    Paddle shiftersNoYes
    Rear-view mirrorFrameless with auto dimmingStandard
    Climate controlDual-zoneDual-zone

    The MG is big on front seat luxury, sporting heated seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters.

    All are features the Omoda 5 fails to match, but the Chery caters better to second row passengers with a cupholder-laden central armrest.

    Both cars come with power-adjustable leatherette front seats as standard.

    Chery Omoda 5 BXMG ZST Essence
    Instrument cluster10.25-inch digital Digital instrument cluster
    Head-up displayNoNo
    Infotainment10.25-inch touchscreen10.1-inch touchscreen
    Satellite navigationNoYes
    Smartphone mirroringWired and wireless Apple CarPlay
    Wired and wireless Android Auto
    Wired Apple CarPlay
    Wired Android Auto
    Phone chargingWirelessWired only
    USB 3 x USB-A, 1 x USB-C outlets5 x USB-A outlets
    Sound system8-speaker Sony sound system6-speaker sound system
    KeyKeyless entry and push-button startKeyless entry and push-button start

    The Omoda 5 is better equipped from a technology standpoint, with connectivity advantages including wireless smartphone mirroring and wireless phone charging.

    It also features a USB-C outlet, which is becoming the most common connection style for modern mobile devices.

    Chery’s eight-speaker sound system trumps the MG six-speaker option, too.

    Only the ZST offers in-built satellite navigation, the value of which is determined by whether you prefer to be guided by phone-based navigation apps.

    Which budget Chinese SUV would you pick? Or is there a more compelling alternative?

    MORE: Buy a Chery Omoda 5
    MORE: Everything Chery Omoda 5

    MORE: Buy a MG ZST
    MORE: Everything MG ZST

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    Josh Nevett

    Josh Nevett is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Josh studied journalism at The University of Melbourne and has a passion for performance cars, especially those of the 2000s. Away from the office you will either find him on the cricket field or at the MCG cheering on his beloved Melbourne Demons.