Unlike the powerhouse that is Build Your Dreams (BYD), Chinese auto manufacturer Chery is one of the lesser-known brands in the Western world, albeit with serious ambitions beyond the boundaries of East Asia. It boasts a multitude of sub-brands that you’ve probably never heard of, like Exeed, Omoda, Jaecoo, Jetour, and Karry. With such a vast array of sedans and SUVs, you might need a diary to keep track of them all.
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As part of the carmaker’s broader expansion into global markets, primarily in Asia-Pacific, South America, and Europe, it’s preparing to challenger the highly profitable mid-size pickup market. They’re set to introduce an as-yet-unnamed, body-on-frame Ford Ranger rival under the Chery banner in Australia and the ‘Karry’ sub-brand in other regions. However, you won’t be surprised to learn that it won’t be offered in North America.
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While they experimented in the 2010s with the less-than-impressive, reverse-engineered and Isuzu-inspired, Karry Higgo, this time they’re taking it more seriously.
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While question marks linger over mechanical details, an anonymous source close to Chery has provided Carscoops with a world scoop on how it will look, both inside and out. Armed with this exclusive intel, we’ve used our digital crayons to offer you a first glimpse of Chery’s new truck.
Diamond In The Rough
Illustrations Josh Byrnes / Carscoops
Resembling the lovechild of a Nissan Navara that’s had a rendezvous with a 6th generation Hyundai Azera/Grandeur in a Texan motel, this double cab pickup sports an interesting look. It features a front end with a diamond-patterned grille constellation that seamlessly merges into individual LED headlamp clusters – not unlike the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The lower bumper, hood, and front fenders exhibit a more rounded and sculpted design compared to the rugged, straighter lines seen on competitor products.
Things get more conventional along the side, with scalloped lower door cladding and an upright cabin for practicality and ease of access. A distinctive character line shoots up and over the rear wheels before intersecting the taillights.
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At the rear, you’ll find a short bed framed by vent-like black plastic strakes. Angular LED tail lamps bear the ‘Chery’ logo on the tailgate. Unique lower cladding gives it a hint of an ‘SUV’ vibe, although it’s likely to come with a more utilitarian steel bumper for commercial-use buyers.
A Car-Like Outlook
Illustrations Josh Byrnes / Carscoops
The interior leans more towards a car-like design than a traditional pickup truck (or Ute in Australia). It features a driver-oriented 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and a 10.25-inch infotainment system, creating a cockpit-like ambiance. Many of the switchgear elements are borrowed from the Omoda 5 compact SUV, and the technological features are likely to follow suit.
Similar to the Omoda 5, you can anticipate wireless phone charging, ambient lighting, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 3D surround-view camera, remote start, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. A comprehensive set of driver assists will come as standard, although Chery hasn’t always had a flawless track record in implementing these without driving owners crazy.
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Core Foundations
Unlike Honda’s unibody Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Cruz (Chery is reportedly developing a small truck too, if you’re interested), our inside source has revealed that the pickup will feature a proper body-on-frame setup.
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Intriguingly, speculation from Chinese media suggests that it might merely be a rebadged version of another Chinese pickup truck through a joint venture with ZX Auto. However, we’re not entirely convinced of this, as our information-based representations appear to be significantly distinct from anything else currently available in the market.
An Electric Twist
Illustrations Josh Byrnes / Carscoops
In terms of propulsion, there are several potential candidates, including a dedicated EV variant, a plug-in hybrid, and a pure ICE variant. The EV version might incorporate an 800-volt architecture, similar to the one used in the Exeed Sterra mid-sized sedan, with dual motors capable of producing up to 353 kW (473 hp). Additionally, in China at least, the possibility of battery swapping may become a reality, with carmaker Nio signing an agreement with Chery and JAC to utilize their battery swap stations
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A PHEV option, featuring a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor, similar to the setup used in the Jetour Traveller SUV, could serve as a bridge between traditional fossil fuels and BEVs. Additionally, an ICE-only 2.0-liter turbo engine is also available within Chery’s powertrain cache.
Rivals and Reveal
Competing in the hotly contested and populated mid-sized pickup segment, the Chery Ute / Pickup will face rivals such as Toyota’s aging Hilux, Ford’s best-selling Ranger, Mazda BT-50, Isuzu D-Max, LDV T60, Volkswagen Amarok, GMW Cannon, Geely’s Radar RD6, Dongfeng Rich 6 EV and BYD’s new upcoming truck.
We expect a reveal (perhaps in patent office format) in the coming months, with the truck going on sale in early 2025.
Would you ever consider a Chery truck if it came to North America? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Note: The illustrations in this article are not endorsed by Chery.