We reported over a year ago that Chery is considering offering two utes for Australia, including a conventional rugged-style option to compete with HiLux and Ranger, as well as a softer crossover-based option to push into a newer space.
Well, here’s our first look yet at the latter. These patent images were registered with the Australian IP database on November 20, and show a stubby and shortened version of what we call a ute, likely based on an SUV.
The front end seems to incorporate Chery’s latest design theme with a big hexagonal grille, and it does actually appear to be a grille which means a combustion engine sits inside. There’s also curvy and relatively clean panel contours down the sides, similar to its range of current SUVs.
At the back is the most interesting part. Because, instead of a regular tub like what is seen in most dual-cab utes, this offers a very short tub with a chunky sports bar that almost reaches the halfway point of the tub length. The top view shows some kind of cargo cover over the back as well to optimise practicality.
This model is likely to feature independent rear suspension and a monocoque platform and not a live axle, aimed at ride comfort and driving dynamics on the road. There might even be a front-wheel drive version on the cards given there is no rear diff shown here – Chery is working on a live-axle ute that will fulfil heavy-duty needs.
Speaking about the potential for a softer ute for Australia, back in 2024, Chery Australia CEO Lucas Harris told Driving Enthusiast:
“They are very popular in South Africa and Southeast Asia, those sort of passenger utes are quite popular. Maybe they could be here as well. The last of them were your Ford and Holdens, and they haven’t really been done again since.
“I think from a local market perspective, having a proper – or what Australians would deem a proper ladder-frame chassis – heavy-duty ute is obviously going to be the preference. But I still wonder, and I don’t know the answer, but I wonder if having a more passenger-style ute also has a place.”
Power is likely come from one of its new hybrid powertrains, potentially the 1.5-litre turbo plug-in hybrid seen in the Chery Tiggo 9. In that, the combo develops an impressive 315kW and 580Nm while offering an electric range of 170km. In fact, the Tiggo 9 presents a similar design form as these patent images.
As far as we know Chery is set to launch a ladder-frame 4×4 ute in Australia first, likely based on the Rely KP3X concept. It’s said to come with a diesel plug-in hybrid – as outlined in our recent top 10 utes coming in 2026 feature – which would make it a first for the ute segment with diesel and plug-in hybrid tech.
Showroom entry is expected late in 2026, with this crossover-based model following a short time afterwards, if it gets locked in at all. Let us know what you think. Would you be interested in a road-oriented SUV-based ute package?
