Chery’s premium automotive brand Exeed unveiled the ET5 midsize SUV (sport utility vehicle) today on the opening day of the 2025 Chengdu auto show, aiming to create the smart, safe SUV of choice for young families.
The model, internally designated E05, is named ET5 to continue Exeed’s ET series, the brand said.
In China, the ET5 is most widely recognized as Nio Inc’s mid-size electric sedan.
The vehicle is a mid-size range-extended SUV measuring 4,780 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width, and 1,725 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,800 mm.
It features a 1.5-liter engine as a range extender, delivering a maximum power output of 115 kW.
The electric motor delivers a maximum power of 195 kW and peak torque of 324 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds.
The Exeed ET5 features a 32.66 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, providing a range of 205 kilometers.
The model marks the first collaboration between Chery and local smart driving solutions provider Horizon Robotics featuring the latter’s Journey 6P chip and HSD (Horizon SuperDrive) smart driving system.
Exeed has not disclosed the launch date for the ET5.
Chery Group showcased 31 models from its Chery, Exeed, Jetour, and iCar brands at the 2025 Chengdu auto show.
Comparison with Key Competitors
To understand the Exeed ET5’s place in the market, it’s useful to compare it to other prominent models in the same class.
1. Li Auto L7
Li Auto is a powerhouse in the EREV market, and its L7 is a direct rival to the Exeed ET5, targeting the same family-oriented demographic.
Dimensions: The Li Auto L7 is slightly larger, with a length of 5,050 mm and a wheelbase of 3,005 mm, offering more interior space.
Powertrain: The L7 also uses a 1.5-liter range extender. However, its system is designed for a higher total range (around 1,360 km CLTC combined range), and it offers a slightly longer electric-only range of up to 225 km with its larger battery pack.
Technology: Li Auto vehicles, including the L7, are known for their luxurious and tech-rich interiors, often referred to as “refrigerator, color TV, and large sofa” by Chinese users. They also feature advanced autonomous driving systems, some powered by Horizon Robotics’ Journey 5 chip or dual Orin-X chips.
Positioning: The Li Auto L7 is positioned as a high-end, premium family SUV, and its larger size and more advanced tech suite may come with a higher price point than the Exeed ET5.
2. AITO M5
As a collaboration between Huawei and Seres, the AITO M5 is another major player that utilizes a range-extended powertrain and advanced technology.
Dimensions: The AITO M5 is very similar in size to the Exeed ET5, with a length of 4,785 mm and a slightly longer wheelbase of 2,880 mm.
Powertrain: The AITO M5 uses a similar 1.5-liter turbocharged engine as a range extender. Its electric-only range is comparable to the Exeed ET5’s, typically around 150-200 km, though it offers a higher system power output in some configurations. Its 0-100 km/h acceleration varies from 7.1 seconds for the RWD model to as low as 4.4 seconds for its top-tier 4WD version, outperforming the Exeed ET5’s 7.8 seconds.
Technology: A key selling point for the AITO M5 is its deep integration with Huawei’s HarmonyOS smart cockpit, which provides a seamless and highly responsive user experience. It also features Huawei’s DriveONE electric drive system.
Positioning: The AITO M5 competes on its technology and performance, leveraging Huawei’s brand recognition to appeal to a tech-savvy audience who value a superior in-car digital experience.
3. BYD Song Pro DM-i
The BYD Song Pro DM-i is a best-seller in the new energy vehicle segment and represents a more mainstream, value-oriented competitor.
Dimensions: It is slightly smaller than the Exeed ET5, with a length of 4,738 mm and a wheelbase of 2,712 mm, placing it in the compact-to-mid-size crossover category.
Powertrain: The Song Pro DM-i is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and its power and range are typically lower than those of the Exeed ET5. Its battery capacity is around 18.3 kWh, offering a pure electric range of up to 110 km (NEDC). Its acceleration (0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds) is slower than the Exeed ET5.
Technology: While well-equipped, the BYD Song Pro DM-i’s technology suite is generally less advanced than the premium offerings from Exeed or AITO, focusing more on practicality and efficiency.
Positioning: The Song Pro DM-i’s success comes from its reputation for high fuel efficiency, strong brand trust, and a highly competitive price point, making it a pragmatic choice for a broad audience.
The Exeed ET5’s Unique Proposition
The Exeed ET5 appears to be positioning itself in the middle of this competitive landscape. It offers a longer pure electric range than a typical PHEV like the BYD Song Pro DM-i and introduces a robust smart driving solution with Horizon Robotics, a notable domestic chip provider. While it may not have the brand recognition of Li Auto’s “mobile home” concept or AITO’s Huawei-backed tech, the collaboration with Chery and Horizon Robotics signifies a strong push into the smart technology space. Its dimensions and acceleration place it squarely in the mid-size EREV SUV segment, providing a balance of performance and practicality for its target audience of young families.
The Exeed ET5’s positioning in the Chinese market is a strategic move to capture a share of the burgeoning mid-size EREV SUV segment. Beyond the direct rivals from Li Auto and AITO, it faces stiff competition from established players like Geely and Great Wall, as well as new-age EV brands. Here is a comparison with more of its competitors.
Geely Xingyue L Hi-P (Monjaro in some export markets)
The Xingyue L is a strong competitor for the Exeed ET5. Geely, a massive auto group with a reputation for both technology and value, has multiple powertrains for the Xingyue L, including a PHEV version.
Dimensions: The Xingyue L is very similar in size to the Exeed ET5, measuring 4,770 mm in length with a slightly longer wheelbase of 2,845 mm. This parity in size suggests they are targeting the same “goldilocks” spot for a family vehicle—large enough to be comfortable but not so big as to be unwieldy in urban settings.
Powertrain: The Xingyue L Hi-P uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine coupled with an electric motor. Its key technical highlight is the “Thor” hybrid system with a three-speed variable-frequency electric drive transmission (DHT Pro), which is more complex than the Exeed ET5’s single-speed electric motor. This system allows for more efficient operation across various speeds.
Battery & Range: The Xingyue L Hi-P boasts a larger 41.2 kWh battery, providing a pure electric range of 207.5 km (WLTC), which is comparable to the ET5’s 205 km range.
Performance: Its 0-100 km/h acceleration is listed at 7.9 seconds, almost identical to the Exeed ET5’s 7.8 seconds, indicating very similar on-road performance.
Positioning: Geely positions the Xingyue L as a premium, feature-packed offering that leverages technology derived from its partnership with Volvo. Its appeal lies in its combination of a comfortable, upscale interior with a highly efficient and versatile powertrain.
GWM Haval H-Dog PHEV (Dargo in some markets)
Great Wall Motor’s Haval brand is a dominant force in the Chinese SUV market, and the H-Dog is its rugged, tech-focused PHEV.
Dimensions: The Haval H-Dog is a bit smaller than the Exeed ET5, with a length of 4,705 mm and a wheelbase of 2,810 mm. Its boxier, off-road-inspired design is a key differentiator.
Powertrain: It features a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with a battery and electric motor. The top-spec version can produce significantly more power than the Exeed ET5, with a combined output of 326 hp and 530 Nm of torque. It also offers all-wheel drive, a feature not specified for the Exeed ET5.
Battery & Range: The H-Dog’s pure electric range is lower, at around 150 km, due to its smaller battery.
Positioning: The H-Dog carves out a niche by combining the practicality of a PHEV with a more adventurous, rugged aesthetic. While the Exeed ET5 is aimed at the “urban family” market, the H-Dog appeals to those with an active lifestyle who might occasionally venture off-road.
GAC Aion V Plus
While technically a pure-electric vehicle (BEV) and not a hybrid, the Aion V Plus is a key competitor in the same family-focused, mid-size SUV segment, particularly in a market where consumers are cross-shopping between BEVs and EREVs.
Dimensions: It is slightly shorter than the Exeed ET5 at 4,650 mm in length but has a very similar wheelbase of 2,830 mm, ensuring a spacious cabin.
Powertrain: As a pure EV, the Aion V Plus relies solely on its electric motor, with a power output ranging from 165 kW to 180 kW, which is comparable to the Exeed ET5’s 195 kW motor.
Battery & Range: It comes with multiple battery options, with its pure electric range reaching up to 600 km (NEDC). This is a significant advantage over the Exeed ET5’s 205 km electric-only range, as it eliminates the need for a gasoline engine altogether for most trips.
Positioning: The Aion V Plus competes on the strength of its longer range and the simplicity of an all-electric powertrain. It targets families who have home charging access and want to commit fully to the EV lifestyle, while the Exeed ET5 serves those who are not yet ready to abandon the convenience of a gasoline engine.