Watch out Toyota Prado: 2027 GAC Yue 7 detailed as new hybrid 4WD to challenge Denza B5

GAC has revealed details of its upcoming boxy hybrid 4WD, the Yue 7.

The new model, which recently debuted at the Beijing Motor Show after a camouflaged teaser campaign, will follow in the footsteps of the Denza B5 that came before it, cashing in on an exploding trend of hybrid off-roaders from Chinese brands.

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The brand told Chinese media it intends to launch the Yue 7 as soon as the third quarter of this year.

Some specifications were also revealed thanks to filings with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. These confirm imposing dimensions 5045mm long, 2030mm wide, and 1933mm tall with a wheelbase of 2900mm. It weighs 2810kg, and has reasonably rugged off-road specifications, with an approach angle of 30 degrees and a departure angle of 33 degrees.

It is strictly a five-seater for now, placing it in direct rivalry with the Toyota Prado and Denza B5, and it will feature a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 125kW, with dual electric motors on each axle combining to produce a total claimed 400kW of power.

The brand said it will be equipped with a 46kWh battery pack good for a pure electric driving range (according to the more lenient CLTC standard) of 188km, although regulatory filings also reveal a smaller 28.3kWh battery, which provides 116km of driving range to the same measuring standard.

According to Chinese media, the company said the Yue 7’s all-wheel drive system is capable of sending traction to just one wheel at a time, and is capable of using a simulated low-range setting. Its rear tailgate was shown at Beijing with a full-size spare tyre and significant off-road equipment added.

The company also shared some closer-to-production images online as the model draws closer to its Chinese domestic launch. It debuts a new styling direction for GAC, completely distinct from the rest of its range of cars, as seen on Australia with the Emzoom small SUV or Aion UT or Aion V from the company’s fully electric sub-brand.

While GAC is yet to comment on the Yue 7’s chances for arrival in Australia specifically, the SUV is understood to be likely to spawn a ute on the same platform, which would certainly have a likelihood for an Australian launch given the company’s ambition to have 10 new models on sale in five years.

GAC’s local CEO Kevin Shu told CarsGuide: “For next year we will have three models, including a larger SUV and a pick-up truck.”

This suggests both the Yue 7 and its likely ute spin-off could be on sale locally before the end of 2027.

The Yue 7 would make an appealing addition to the brand’s local line-up as hybrid 4WDs attract more attention in Australia primarily thanks to the success of the BYD Shark 6.

Other brands, like Geely, also have boxy hybrid off-roaders in development as the market for them explodes in China and overseas, with Australia a prime target for them to test their mettle against entrenched local favourites.