4 Minutes
Chery KP31 shakes up the mid-size pickup class
Chery has unveiled the KP31 concept — a rugged, ladder-frame mid-size pickup that introduces what the company calls the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain for a pickup truck. With bold styling that recalls the Ford Bronco and an off-road focus, the KP31 is clearly aimed at challenging segment leaders such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.
Key news right away
The KP31 will debut in showrooms in late 2026, starting in Australia, before a wider global rollout. Chery plans a diesel PHEV initially, followed by a petrol-hybrid variant in 2027. The move signals the brand's ambition to compete on a global scale, not just in regional markets.
Design and off-road character
The concept version shown in Sydney leans hard into a tough, boxy aesthetic. Clean, straight lines, round LED headlights, and three integrated marker lamps in the grille give it an assertive face. The show truck featured matte grey paint, a snorkel, beadlock-style wheels, and giant 17-inch 285/70 tyres — styling cues that emphasize overlanding and hardcore off-road use. Expect the production model to be slightly toned down, with more urban-friendly trim on higher-spec versions. At 5,450 mm in length, the KP31 sits squarely in the mid-size pickup segment.
Powertrain and performance: the headline
Chery’s headline is the 2.5-liter turbo diesel combined with a plug-in hybrid system. The company claims the diesel PHEV delivers roughly 10% better fuel efficiency than conventional diesel engines and cuts vibrations by up to 30% — a notable refinement for diesel powertrains. The hybrid architecture also allows short-distance all-electric driving, improving urban efficiency and reducing emissions on short trips.
Despite its efficiency focus, the KP31 doesn’t compromise utility. Chery quotes a 1-ton payload and a 3.5-ton towing capacity — figures that match or exceed many rivals in the class. Underpinning the truck is a traditional ladder-frame chassis and a robust four-wheel-drive system fitted with three differential locks (front, center, rear) for maximum traction on demanding terrain.
How it compares
- Rivals targeted: Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux
- Hybrid competitors: BYD Shark 6, Great Wall Cannon Alpha
Chery positions the KP31 as not only a contender against diesel-powered stalwarts but also as a superior hybrid option versus other electrified pickups from Chinese makers.
Market strategy and tuning
Chery’s international engineering team told Australian outlet CarExpert that the chassis will be specifically tuneable for harsh markets like Australia, with those settings potentially serving as templates for Africa and South America. Europe is also under consideration, suggesting Chery aims for a broad market push rather than a local niche play.
"We are engineering the KP31 to handle real-world Australian conditions," said Chery’s senior international programs engineer. "That testing and calibration will inform our global strategy."
Quick highlights
- Powertrain: 2.5L turbo diesel + plug-in hybrid; petrol-hybrid to follow in 2027
- Platform: ladder-frame chassis
- Dimensions: 5,450 mm length (mid-size class)
- Utility: 1,000 kg payload, 3,500 kg towing capacity
- Off-road kit: 4x4 with three diff locks, snorkel, large all-terrain tyres
Chery’s KP31 blends bold styling and genuine off-road capability with an innovative diesel PHEV package. If the production model can translate the concept’s promise into real-world reliability and efficiency, it could reshape buyers’ expectations for mid-size pickups — especially for customers seeking diesel economy together with electrified flexibility.
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