The new Chery Stockman is aiming to shake up Australia’s roughest roads with a diesel-hybrid system and genuine off-road capability in a dual-cab ute that’s made to adventure.
Fresh details about the Chinese brand’s first ute have emerged ahead of its February 2027 arrival into dealerships.
Aiming to target the Ford Ranger PHEV, BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha hybrid and JAC Hunter PHEV – as well as other plug-in hybrid utes that are reshaping the traditional diesel ute market – the Stockman takes a different route.
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Instead of a petrol engine, it teams its electric motors with a 2.5-litre turbo diesel.
The idea is to offer the best of both worlds: the long-distance range and towing confidence of diesel, plus the efficiency and refinement of electric driving around town.
That said, there’s one crucial figure we don’t have just yet: how much fuel it uses once the battery runs flat.
Chery Stockman diesel plug-in hybrid power
Chery calls the system a “Super Hybrid”, a term many Chinese brands have attributed to their PHEV systems.
Essentially it denotes a big battery and more EV-like performance courtesy of more powerful electric motors than early PHEVs had.
The Stockman combines the 2.5-litre turbo diesel with a 34kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and all-wheel drive.
The diesel engine makes 140kW and 450Nm on its own. Combined with the electric motors, outputs rise to a hefty 350kW and 800Nm, making the Stockman one of the most powerful electrified utes on the market.
Drive goes through what Chery calls a four-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (4DHT). The battery sits under the tub.
It can drive up to 96km on electricity alone (according to the WLTP cycle; expect something like 85km in the real world, or less if you’re loaded with gear and accessories).
That’s with the standard all-terrain tyres. Chery quotes electric energy consumption of 31.1kWh per 100km, which is about double what a all-electric mid-sized SUV uses.
That’s enough to cover most daily commutes without using the engine.
Home AC charging can be done at up to 6.6kW on AC.
DC charging is also available at up to 70kW on DC, but given the cost of electricity at public fast chargers and the time taken it’s unlikely to make sense when you’re on the road (a charge would take about 35-40 minutes and could cost upwards of $20 to give you that 96km of claimed range).
When the battery runs flat, the diesel takes over and the Stockman essentially turns into a regular hybrid.
An 80-litre fuel tank should give it decent touring range once the battery is drained.
Chery has released an official combined fuel figure of 1.1L/100km, which is a largely irrelevant figure. Like all PHEV ratings, it’s based on a test that starts with a fully charged battery.
The more relevant figure is what fuel consumption will be when the battery is drained, something Chery Australia COO Lucas Harris says the brand will publish.
“What we’ll do is we’ll have a percentage battery and then give a fuel consumption at that percentage battery to try and give people more of an accurate steer,” Harris said.
He said that figure is likely to be measured at around 30 per cent battery charge.
Harris indicated the Stockman will use less fuel than a regular diesel ute and less than existing plug-in hybrid utes.
However, he didn’t give any numbers and stopped short of claiming class leadership.
“Without looking at all of the numbers carefully, making sure I’m giving you a fair and accurate quote, I’d be reluctant to say that, but it has a good fighting chance,” he said.
That more realistic low-battery figure is due soon.
Petrol hybrid coming for Stockman, but no EV
The diesel hybrid is just the start. Chery has confirmed a petrol plug-in hybrid version of the Stockman will join the range down the track.
“Yes, we are looking at having a petrol hybrid version, a plug-in hybrid version,” Harris said. “The exact timing on that is to be determined at the moment.”
Don’t expect a fully electric Stockman, though. Asked about a battery-only version, Harris said it was “unlikely at this stage”.
Clearly the EV ute market will gain pace at some stage – there’s already a Toyota HiLux BEV and upcoming MG U9 EV – but outback adventurers and ute buyers who like towing aren’t yet convinced.
Chery Stockman gets some serious off-road gear
The Stockman isn’t just about clever drivetrains.
Chery has fitted it with front, centre and rear differential locks, a rare combination in the ute class.
There’s also a proper 4WD system with high and low range (4H and 4L) as well as an intelligent 4WD mode for mixed surfaces.
Off-road drive modes include Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock. There’s also crawl control, a turn assist function that tightens the turning circle on the trails, and an “Expert” mode.
Ground clearance is 247mm. The approach angle is 30 degrees and the departure angle is 25 degrees.
The suspension uses double wishbones up front and traditional leaf springs at the rear with a live axle, a set-up that tends to suit heavy loads and towing.
A 360-degree camera with a “clear chassis” view, which shows what’s under the front of the vehicle, and an off-road display add to its off-road appeal.
Unusually for the ute class – and especially plug-in hybrid utes – ll-terrain tyres are standard.
The tyres fitted to the car on show at the recent Everything Electric show in Sydney were BF Goodrich in 285/70 R17s on 17-inch alloy wheels. And, yes. there’s a full-size alloy spare.
Buyers will be able to swap to highway tyres at no extra cost.
“Frankly, I think the all-terrain tyres are a big drawcard for the vehicle, and also it adds a lot of value, considering how expensive all-terrain tyres are to swap over,” Harris said.
He expects buyer preferences for the tyres to vary across the country.
“I suspect that Queensland might be more all-terrain tyres, and Victoria might be more highway tyres,” he said.
Highway tyres should also improve efficiency, in turn eking a tad more out of the battery pack and lowering fuel use.
Chery Stockman payload down on rivals
The Chery Stockman is rated to tow 3495kg braked (750kg unbraked) – just shy of the 3500kg that has become the benchmark for dual-cab utes. Maximum towball download is 350kg.
As with the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha, it’s a heavy ute, though, weighing 2735kg.
Its gross vehicle mass (GVM) is 3500kg, which leaves a payload of just 765kg.
That’s well short of the roughly one-tonne payloads of many diesel dual-cabs, and you’ll need to count the weight of any accessories you fit, such as a bullbar, canopy or drawers.
The gross combination mass (GCM) – the maximum the ute and trailer can weigh together – is 6500kg.
Do the maths and, with a 3495kg trailer hooked up, there’s only 270kg left for the ute itself. That has to cover people, gear and accessories.
That’s not unusual among dual-cabs, but it’s a reminder to check the numbers carefully if you plan to tow a big van.
Chery Stockman size and tub
At 5450mm long, 2010mm wide and 1930mm tall on a 3250mm wheelbase, the Stockman is a big ute.
The tub measures 1560mm long and 1560mm wide, with 1220mm between the wheel arches – enough to fit a standard Australian pallet. It’s 505mm deep, and there are steps to help you climb into the tub.
Roof rails and side steps are also standard.
Tech-heavy cabin
Only one model will initially be available, the Stockman Ultimate, and it’s well equipped.
There’s a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, a head-up display and a 14-speaker sound system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work wired or wirelessly.
The seats are trimmed in synthetic leather. The front seats are heated and ventilated, there’s an eight-way power driver’s seat with memory, and the steering wheel is heated. The rear seat slides and reclines.
For campers, there are two 230-volt power outlets to run appliances from the battery. You also get four USB-A and three USB-C ports, plus wireless phone charging.
Other features include dual-zone climate control with rear vents, a digital rear-view mirror, remote start and LED headlights.
Chery Stockman safety
The Stockman comes with seven airbags, including a front-centre airbag between the front occupants.
Driver assistance systems include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane centring, blind-spot monitoring, rear and front cross-traffic alert, door opening warning and a driver monitoring system.
Chery Stockman price and arrival
Pricing is yet to be announced, but expect the Stockman to start at around $55,000 before on-road costs.
That would put it in Shark 6 territory and well under the Ranger PHEV.
Chery isn’t making any bold sales predictions, but Harris says the brand is serious about the ute market.
“Look, obviously we’re not bringing the vehicle for fun. We’re bringing it because we want to sell a few,” he said.
“We’ll price it accordingly and I think the spec does a lot of the talking for it.”
That said, he doesn’t expect the Stockman to initially become the brand’s top seller, but added: “Never say never.”
Four colours will be offered, with three of them premium paints that cost extra.
Customer deliveries of the Chery Stockman are scheduled to start on 1 February 2027.
Chery Stockman key specifications
Model: Stockman Ultimate AWD
Engine: 2.5-litre turbo diesel plug-in hybrid
Engine power/torque: 140kW/450Nm
Hybrid system combined power/torque: 350kW/800Nm
Transmission: Four-speed dedicated hybrid (4DHT)
Battery: 34kWh LFP
Electric range: Up to 96km (WLTP)
Official fuel use: 1.1L/100km (WLTC, combined)
Fuel tank: 80L
Charging: 6.6kW AC / 70kW DC
Towing: 3495kg braked / 750kg unbraked
Towball download: 350kg
Kerb weight: 2735kg
Payload: 765kg
GVM: 3500kg
GCM: 6500kg
4WD: Dual-range 4×4; 4H, 4L, intelligent 4WD
Diff locks: Front, centre and rear
Ground clearance: 247mm
Approach/departure angles: 30/25 degrees
Wheels/tyres: 285/70 R17s ATs on 17-inch alloy wheelsl; full-size alloy spare
