China's tough-as-nails looking 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross rival: Australian bound brand Geely has debuted the new Cowboy SUV in China

Geely Cowboy

Chinese car brands are rolling out new and improved products at an astonishing rate.

Geely, which just confirmed it is launching in Australia in 2025, has debuted its new rough and tumble looking compact SUV in China.

Dubbed the Geely Cowboy, the compact SUV is based on the company’s Icon SUV.

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According to reports out of China, the Icon has been a slow seller so the brand has pivoted, embracing a rugged new look for the embattled SUV.

The Cowboy is about the same size as a Toyota Corolla Cross and ditches the conservative looks from its donor car.

The Cowboy has chunky wheel arches wrapped in black cladding. It now has tough looking side skirts, red brake calipers and a 'floating' roof.

Geely has thrown in roof racks, off-road tyres and some spot lights.

Geely Cowboy

There is also a faux spare tyre cover on the rear door, which can be used for storage, not unlike the KGM Ssangyong Torres' cover.

Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine that is good for 133kW and 290Nm. It is matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto that drives the front wheels only.

The diesel engine aids its rugged appearance but the front-wheel drive only layout means this Cowboy is a city slicker at heart.

Geely Cowboy

Inside, there is a 14.6-inch central multimedia screen and an 8.8-inch digital instrument display.

Buyers can choose between synthetic leather, denim or fabric upholstery.

It is unclear whether this car will ever make it to Australia, but 12 months ago we had no idea there’d be brand’s Down Under such as Deepal, GAC, JAC, Geely, Smart, Xpeng and Zeekr.

So far, Geely has committed to bringing its EX5 electric mid-size SUV to Australia, which will rival the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV5.

Geely Cowboy

Geely hasn’t confirmed local details of the EX5, but in China it uses either a 49.52kWh or 60.22kWh battery pack delivering a driving range of 440km or 530km respectively according to the more lenient China Light duty Test Cycle (CLTC).

A single front mounted electric motor produces 160kW and 320Nm.

It has a claimed DC fast-charge time of 20 minutes from 30 to 80 per cent.