Range of low-cost Toyota Prado alternatives grow with Chery's new Chinese models, but what do we know about the chunky off-road Jetour brand for Australia?

Chery’s off-road focused sub-brand, Jetour, has revealed a non-hybrid version of its ‘Shanhai’ T1, a retro-styled off-road SUV to challenge the likes of the Toyota LandCruiser Prado.

Usually powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and electric motor in a plug-in hybrid set-up, this new combustion turbocharged 4WD spin-off is dubbed the Jetour Freedom according to Chinese media. It dumps the electric motor and dedicated hybrid transmission in favour of a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo (135kW/290Nm) mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch, or a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo (187kW/390Nm) mated to an eight-speed torque converter automatic.

Measuring in at 4706mm long, the Freedom is a size-class below the Prado, but a size-class above the Suzuki Jimny XL, making it closer to the GWM Tank 300 in terms of its market segment. If it looks familiar, it is because Chery’s Jetour brand also offers the larger and more Prado-sized Traveller (or T2 as it is known for export markets), which is also available in plug-in hybrid or combustion forms.

In its Chinese home-market the Freedom starts as low as the equivalent of A$28,500, although it’s fair to add roughly 15 - 20 per cent to the price for Australia. The 2.0-litre turbo Tank 300 4x4, for comparison, starts at $46,990 drive-away.

Chery’s Jetour brand also has more traditionally-shaped SUVs, but as a point of difference this range of T-series off-roaders seems to be its future direction as a direct rival to GWM’s Tank brand. This should mean Chery’s sub-brands to each have a more unique identity as many sub-brands as start-ups begin to be merged to discontinued after an aggressive period of growth in China.

It also recently revealed what look to be its next two products, the G700 large SUV and F700 pick-up truck, seemingly designed to rival BYD’s Bao 5 and Shark 6 respectively, with Chery no doubt wanting a slice of the international recognition its rival has received.

As far as we know, the Jetour brand is manufactured in left-hand drive only for the time being and has not been made available to the local Chery division in Australia.

“Jetour is not in the plans at this stage” Chery’s local managing director, Lucas Harris, told CarsGuide at the launch of the Tiggo 8 seven-seat SUV, “It’s not a cheap exercise to redevelop from left-hand drive to right-hand drive.” He added, indicating that right-hand drive for Jetour simply wasn’t in the plans he’d seen at the time of the Tiggo 8’s launch in May of 2024.

Currently, Jetour products are exported to the Philippines, the Middle East, some South American countries, as well as Russia. It even has a knock-down-kit assembly line in Indonesia, although in all markets the Traveller is available in, it remains left-hand drive.

In the short-term, Australia will receive the Jaecoo semi-premium marque alongside an expanded range of Chery SUVs, with the brand promising it will focus more on electric and hybrid models. Other Chery sub-brands include Exceed/Luxeed (mostly hybrid SUVs), iCar (electric and hybrid lifestyle vehicles), and Karry, which manufactures light commercial vehicles.

Its most recently launched Tiggo 4 small SUV is off to a strong start, no doubt helped along by tough interest rate conditions in the Australian market.