Chinese brand's new 1500km driving range plug-in hybrid range extender that has eyes set on Kia Sorento, Toyota Kluger and incoming Hyundai Palisade: 2025 Chery Exceed Exlantix ET released in China

The trend of range-extender hybrids is showing no signs of slowing down in China, with Chery – under its sub-brand Exceed – the latest automaker to join the party.

It’s called the Exlantix ET and it's a full-sized family SUV built on Chery’s brand new E0X platform which is set to underpin a suite of future hybrid and electric vehicles, including some from Jaguar Land Rover.

This particular model uses a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with a peak power of 115kW/220Nm and a 41.16kWh battery pack.

Together, they provide current to two electric motors positioned on the front and rear axle which deliver 150kW/324Nm and 195kW/324Nm, respectively.

The hefty power outputs see the Elantix ET rocket from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 195km/h. Not bad for a nearly two-and-a-half-tonne car.

Total range is claimed at 1500km, 240km of which is available in pure-electric mode, according to the lenient CLTC cycle.

The Exlantix's 400-volt architecture reportedly delivers a charge time from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in just 17.5 minutes.

Measuring up at 4955mm long, 1975mm wide, 1698mm tall and with a wheelbase of 3000mm, the Elantix ET is larger than a Kia Sorento but not quite as vast as a Hyundai Palisade.

We don’t know at this stage whether it will compete Down Under with those South Korean rivals, particularly as Chery gears up to launch its more off-road focused Jaecoo sub-brand in early 2025.

CarsGuide has contacted Chery for comment to determine if and when we might see the offshoot locally. An update to the story will follow with a response.

In terms of design, the Elantix ET screams Chery Omoda E5 at the front, evidenced by its thin LED headlights and larger fog lamps on the lower bumper.

Given its bigger size, though, the rest of the body appears to be more Range Rover influenced, particularly in its sleek body panelling and retractable door handles.

There’s also a bit of Porsche Cayenne about the rear three quarter, particularly in the rear fastback styling and LED lightbar.

Inside, the Elantix ET gets a 10.25-inch floating digital driver’s display and a 15.6-inch central multimedia touchscreen, a 23-speaker sound system and 256 ambient lighting colours.

There is a huge panoramic sunshade and AI voice assistant controls, while the front and rear passenger seats are heated and ventilated.

According to CarNewsChina, Prices will commence at 239,800 Yuan ($51,765) for the bottom-spec Max, 269,800 Yuan ($58,241) for the mid-range Ultra and 289,800 Yuan ($62,588) for the top-spec Premium.