Diesel hybrid confirmed! 2026 Chery ute details revealed ahead of Australian debut for the brand's key BYD Shark 6 and Toyota HiLux challenger

Chery has unveiled its first-ever ute model code-named ‘KP31’ which will be launched this year with a rare diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV) set-up.

Other PHEV ute rivals such as the BYD Shark 6 and the Cannon Alpha utilise turbo-petrol engines and electric motor power, but Chery’s new offering will rely on diesel power.

Diesel PHEVs are a rarity in mass-production vehicles due to their complexity and lack of suitability for short journeys.

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Chery's ute will utilise a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, with power and torque figures still to be confirmed.

Its diesel status means the ute could have some serious grunt, which its other PHEV rivals are lacking.

Chery confirmed it would have 1000kg payload and 3500kg braked towing capacity, something the smash-hit Shark 6 does not have. While the GWM Alpha PHEV does have 3500kg towing, its payload is less than 700kg, similar to the Shark 6's.

Australian Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris said the diesel PHEV set-up was something the brand pushed for to give the ute the best chance of success in Australia. Harris said it needed to have the high levels of torque low down so it could be used for full-time towing, carrying and off-roading.

2026 Chery 'KP31' ute concept

“I believe that Chery has one chance to prove that we can build and deliver a highly-capable ute,” Harris said.

“We are being a bit demanding. We want all of that diesel capability so that we can deliver what we say we want to deliver. But we also want the on-highway and the fuel efficiency benefits and the NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) benefits of having super hybrid at the same time.”

The ute will also have front, centre and rear differential locks to give it sturdy off-roading potential, something the Shark 6 has also been criticised for since its arrival.

Chery will also bring across a petrol PHEV version of its ute in 2027, to complement the diesel and offer a direct rival to the likes of the Shark 6 and the Cannon Alpha alternatives.

The KP31 gets a boxy overall design with standout fenders and exterior body panels as well as a sleek rectangular light design.

No firm date has been given for its Aussie arrival, but there will only be minor tweaks to the design from here so it should not be too far away.

Harris said he was confident the ute would have an impact on the Aussie market, but was not drawn on its potential sales expectations.

“Nobody else has it so it’s a nice thing for us to have and to do differently,” Harris said.

“We wouldn’t waste our time bringing a vehicle here unless we intended to have a red hot crack at it and be a serious contender in the market.”