2025 Chery O5 1.5 Turbo Review

In recent years, the competition in the B-Segment sedan market has become increasingly intense. Consumers' demands for features, space, and power have been rising. As a new model launched in September 2025, the Chery O5 1.5 Turbo enters the market with a pricing of RM116,800 and a long warranty of 7 years or 150,000 kilometers. Its core selling points focus on high cost-performance ratio, comprehensive intelligent features, and balanced power performance. This time, we got a test drive car, mainly to verify whether its actual driving experience matches the on-paper data and whether its practicality in daily use can meet the needs of family users.

In terms of exterior design, the Chery O5 1.5 Turbo follows a youthful, sporty style. The front features a large smoked black grille paired with sharp LED headlamps. The headlamp units are integrated with daytime running lights, offering good recognition when lit. The side profile of the car features smooth lines, with a waistline stretching from the hood to the rear, leaving the sides looking sleek. The 18-inch wheels paired with 215/55 R18 tires provide just the right visual balance, without looking overly exaggerated. At the rear, the taillights adopt a through-type design with the Chery brand logo embedded in the center. The diffuser-like design at the bottom of the rear bumper enhances the sporty feel. The overall styling conforms to the mainstream aesthetics of B-segment sedans nowadays.

Entering the cabin, the overall interior layout is simple and well-organized. The center console is wrapped in soft-touch materials, providing a refined tactile feel. Although there aren't many luxurious decorations, the materials used are acceptable for this price range. A 12.3-inch full LCD instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen are seamlessly connected, forming a through design. The screen resolution is sharp, and the operation is quite smooth. The multi-function steering wheel supports manual adjustments for height and reach and is equipped with paddle shifters, making daily use convenient. For the seats, both the front driver and passenger seats are equipped with electric adjustment functions. The seat cushions are relatively soft, with sufficient support, ensuring comfort even during long rides. The rear seats support a 60:40 split-fold design, which expands the trunk space when folded down, catering to the need for storing bulky items.

In terms of space, the dimensions of the car measure 4,400mm in length, 1,830mm in width, and 1,588mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,630mm. These measurements place it at the higher end of the B-Segment range. After adjusting the front seats to a comfortable driving position, a passenger with a height of 175cm still has about a fist of headroom remaining. In the rear, there is approximately two fists' worth of legroom and one fist of headroom, allowing three adults to sit comfortably without feeling crowded. Regarding storage space, the door panels can hold two bottles of mineral water, and the center armrest box has moderate capacity. The rear seats also feature cup holders and storage slots. The trunk offers a standard volume of 483 liters, which is sufficient for daily grocery shopping or carrying a baby stroller, while it can also accommodate needs for long trips.

When it comes to performance, the 1.5T turbocharged engine delivers a maximum horsepower of 156PS, with a maximum power of 115kW and a maximum torque of 230N·m. This is paired with a 6-speed DCT gearbox. During actual driving, the initial power response is quite lively, with even a light tap on the accelerator producing noticeable power output, avoiding any sense of sluggishness. During mid- to high-speed acceleration, pressing the accelerator results in timely gear downshifts, providing sufficient confidence for overtaking. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 7.2 seconds, which is excellent for 1.5T models in the same class. There are three selectable driving modes: Eco, Standard, and Sport. In Sport mode, the throttle sensitivity increases, the gearbox holds gears longer, and the power output becomes more direct, making it suitable for users who enjoy enthusiastic driving. In Eco mode, the power output is smoother, suitable for daily commuting.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel has a moderate level of effort, minimal dead zone, and precise directionality, making daily driving very smooth. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension, with a comfort-oriented tuning. When passing speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension filters out most of the vibrations, avoiding obvious bumpiness. During cornering, the body lean is well controlled, and stability is good. In terms of braking, the combination of front ventilated discs and rear disc brakes provides timely response and linear braking force, instilling confidence during daily driving.

As for fuel consumption, we tested the car in mixed road conditions, including urban congested sections and highways, achieving an average fuel consumption of about 7.5L per 100 kilometers. This performance is considered average among similarly classed 1.5T models, and the daily usage cost is not high. Regarding noise control, some wind noise and tire noise are present during high-speed driving but do not affect interior conversations. Engine noise can be heard during acceleration but is not jarring. Overall, the noise control performance is acceptable.

In terms of safety features, the Chery O5 1.5 Turbo comes standard with 6 airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, lane change assist, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, ACC adaptive cruise control, 360-degree panoramic imaging, and front and rear parking sensors. Its safety features are relatively comprehensive for the price range. For comfort features, it is equipped with automatic air conditioning, rear air vents, electric seats, sunroof, and more, meeting daily use needs.

Overall, the core advantage of the Chery O5 1.5 Turbo lies in its well-balanced product strengths, including sufficient power, spacious interior, comprehensive features, and a 7-year or 150,000-kilometer extended warranty that reduces the cost of ownership. Compared to similar models in its class, it offers richer features than some models from joint-venture brands and comes at a more affordable price, presenting a good cost-performance ratio. This car is suitable for families who value space, features, and cost-effectiveness. It can meet the needs of daily commuting and family trips. For younger drivers, its performance and exterior design can also satisfy their preferences. If you're looking for a well-rounded B-segment sedan, the Chery O5 1.5 Turbo is worth considering.