A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Chery Q
Grand Vitara
Maximum Power
-
76 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
-
137 Nm @ 4400 rpm
Engine Size
-
1462 cc
Claimed Mileage
-
17.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
-
210 mm
Boot / Load Bay
-
310 l
Airbags
-
6
Kerb Weight
-
1225 kg
Seating Capacity
-
-
Warranty
-
5
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
Grand Vitara holds a noticeable edge over Chery Q, especially in key ownership areas.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Chery Q
+16 pts
Efficiency
Grand Vitara
+23 pts
Safety
Grand Vitara
+82 pts
Practicality
Grand Vitara
+12 pts
Ownership
Grand Vitara
+21 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Chery Q
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:Highway Driving
🏆 Overall Winner
Grand Vitara
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to:Fuel EfficiencyFamily Usage
Which One's Right for You?
Chery Q
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Grand Vitara
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
Chery Q
Grand Vitara
Model Introduced Year
-
2022
Generation
-
Third generation YHB-series Grand Vitara; shared platform with Toyota Urban Cruiser (a partnership-specific platform development); mild-hybrid system uses belt-integrated starter generator technology; all-new design and powertrain versus the previous generation
Facelift History
-
Third-generation Grand Vitara launched in SA in 2022; previous second-generation model discontinued in SA in 2015; current generation is a complete redesign on a new platform shared with the Toyota Urban Cruiser
Facelift Launched Since
-
2022
Facelift Version Ending
-
Current
Body Style
-
SUV
Color Note
-
Pearl Arctic White, Metallic Grandeur Grey, Metallic Midnight Blue, Premium Silver, Pearl Burning Red
Dealer Stock Note
-
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note
-
Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip AT
Model Year
-
2026
Production Status
-
published
Segment
-
SUV
Vehicle Type
-
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
1225 kg
Spec
Chery Q
Grand Vitara
Drivetrain Layout
-
All Wheel Drive (AWD)
LSD Available
-
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
-
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
-
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
-
Standard Sport Paddle Shifters
Engine Position
-
Transverse Front-Mounted
Gearbox
-
6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters
Final Drive Ratio
-
4.388:1
Steering Turns Lock to Lock
-
2.8
Number of Gears
-
6
Transmission Type
-
6-Speed Automatic
Clutch Type
-
Single Dry Plate Diaphragm
Gear Shift Indicator
-
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
-
4WD / AWD
4WD Engagement
-
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
-
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
-
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
-
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
-
Standard Sport Paddle Shifters
Front Differential Lock
-
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
-
6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters
Low Range Ratio
-
Not Applicable
Low Range
-
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
-
AWD — AllGrip Auto
Rear Differential Lock
-
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
-
6
Gear Shift Type
-
6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters
Spec
Chery Q
Grand Vitara
Claimed Mileage
-
17.9 km/l
City Mileage
-
14.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
-
20.8 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
-
45 l
Emission Standard
-
Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
-
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
-
Not Applicable
Average Fuel Consumption
-
5.6 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
-
5.6 l/100km
Fuel Efficiency
-
5.6 l/100km
Real-world Mileage
-
17.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
-
Not Applicable
Charging Type
-
Not Applicable
Combined Consumption
-
5.6 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
-
5.6 l/100km
Fuel Economy Combined
-
5.6 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
-
45
Combined Driving Range
-
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
-
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
-
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Chery Q
Grand Vitara
Airbags
-
6
ABS
-
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
-
Standard
Traction Control
-
Standard
Hill Descent Control
-
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
-
Standard
Child Safety Lock
-
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
-
2 Rear ISOFIX Points
Brake Assist
-
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
-
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
-
Standard
Alarm System
-
Standard
Central Locking
-
Remote Central Locking
Side Impact Beams
-
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
-
All Seats
Speed Alert System
-
Standard — Audible Warning at 120 km/h
Pedestrian Detection AEB
-
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
-
Not Available
Safety Rating
-
Not Independently Rated
Whiplash Protection
-
Active Head Restraints on Front Seats
Lane Change Warning
-
Not Available
AEB
-
Not Available
BA
-
Standard
Brake Override System
-
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
-
Not Available
Driver Airbag
-
6
EBD
-
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
-
Standard
Hill Hold
-
Standard
Passenger Airbag
-
6
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
-
All Seats
Side Airbags
-
Not Available
TCS
-
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
-
Not Available
Knee Airbag
-
Not Available
ABS EBD
-
Standard
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Standard
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
-
6
Driver Passenger Airbags
-
6
ESC With Traction Control
-
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
-
All Seats
Stability Control
-
Standard
Spec
Chery Q
Grand Vitara
Cruise Control
-
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
-
Standard Adaptive Cruise Control
Lane Keep Assist
-
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
-
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
-
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Not Available
Parking Sensors
-
Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Rear View Camera
-
360-Degree Surround View
360 Degree Camera
-
360-Degree Surround View Camera
Autonomous Emergency Braking
-
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
-
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
-
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
-
Not Available
Auto Lights
-
Standard
Auto Wipers
-
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
-
Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Reverse Camera
-
360-Degree Surround View
Adaptive Cruise Control
-
Standard Adaptive Cruise Control
Park Assist
-
Not Available
Around View Monitor
-
360-Degree Surround View Camera
Blind Spot Warning
-
Not Available
Emergency Braking
-
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
-
Not Available
Front Camera
-
Not Available
Parking Distance Sensors
-
Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Parking Sensor
-
Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Pre-Collision System
-
Not Available
Rain Sensor Wipers
-
Standard
Rear View Camera
-
360-Degree Surround View
Reverse Camera Type
-
360-Degree Surround View
Reversing Camera
-
360-Degree Surround View
Surround View Camera
-
360-Degree Surround View Camera
Spec
Chery Q
Grand Vitara
Seat Material
-
Leatherette Seat Trim
Seat Adjustment
-
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
Heated Seats
-
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
-
Not Applicable
Steering Type
-
Electric Power Assisted (EPAS)
Steering Adjustment
-
Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting
-
Not Applicable
Folding Rear Seats
-
60:40 Split Fold
Front Armrest
-
Standard Centre Armrest
Rear Armrest
-
Integrated in Seat Back
Cup Holders
-
4
Rear AC Vents
-
Not Available
Rear USB Ports
-
0
Steering Wheel Material
-
Urethane
Instrument Cluster Type
-
Analogue with Digital Trip Display
Interior Colour Options
-
2
Driver Lumbar Support
-
Not Available
Door Map Pockets
-
All Four Door Pockets
60 40 Split Seat
-
60:40 Split Fold
Adjustable Driver Seat
-
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
Driver Seat Adjustment
-
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
Fabric Seats
-
Leatherette Seat Trim
Passenger Seat Adjustment
-
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
Armrest Front
-
Standard Centre Armrest
Armrest Rear
-
Integrated in Seat Back
Boot Space Seats Down
-
708
Driver Seat
-
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
Interior Courtesy Lamps
-
9-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone climate control (GLX and Hybrid), 360-degree surround view camera (GLX AT and Hybrid), adaptive cruise control (GLX and Hybrid), blind-spot monitoring (GL
Performance
Chery Q +16
Efficiency
Grand Vitara +23
Safety
Grand Vitara +82
Practicality
Grand Vitara +12
Ownership
Grand Vitara +21
Moderate difference between the models.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Overall Winner
Grand Vitara
Performance
34/100
Efficiency
73/100
Safety
82/100
Practicality
62/100
Ownership
71/100
Chery Q
Performance
50/100
Efficiency
50/100
Safety
0/100
Practicality
50/100
Ownership
50/100
So, Which One Should You Buy?
🏆Suzuki Grand Vitara
wins with 63 pts
vs 39 pts for Chery Q
In structured scoring, Grand Vitara emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Chery Q may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
On our scoring the Grand Vitara edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.
Efficiency scores: Chery Q 50 vs Grand Vitara 73. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.
Safety scores: Chery Q 0, Grand Vitara 82. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.
Long-term ownership scores: Chery Q 50, Grand Vitara 71. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.
Practicality scores: Chery Q 50, Grand Vitara 62. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Chery Q 50, Grand Vitara 34. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.
Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.
Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.
Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Grand Vitara edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The Grand Vitara scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
The comparison between Chery Q and Grand Vitara in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Chery Q scores 50 vs 34.
Efficiency: Chery Q scores 50 vs 73.
Safety: Chery Q scores 0 vs 82.
Practicality: Chery Q scores 50 vs 62.
Ownership: Chery Q scores 50 vs 71.
Final structured scoring gives Grand Vitara
the advantage in this comparison.
Compare
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