Freelander 8: More details revealed about Aussie-bound Chery-JLR co-developed electrified SUV aimed at BMW iX3 and Denza B5

July 23, 2026 John Mahoney

More details and pictures of the inbound Freelander 8 have surfaced, revealing the rugged electrified 4×4 developed by Chery and JLR will be available in eight distinctive hues and feature a state-of-the-art cabin.

Already locked in for a launch in Australia via a new independent dealer network as soon as next year, the Freelander – a boxy BMW iX3 rival – will come with Lucent Lime yellow and immersive Purple, plus Brilliant Bronze, alongside the usual black, silver, blue and white.

Along with the colourful palette, the standalone Freelander brand will also offer its first model with a satin finish currently available only on the most expensive Range Rover models.

Inside, as is the Chinese way, the Freelander 8 is drowning in advanced technology.

Standard on all models is a huge 15.6-inch centrally mounted touchscreen that sits ahead of a BMW-style slim 47.2-inch screen stretching almost from pillar to pillar.

Named the Panoramic Intelligent Display, which sounds and looks awfully close to BMW’s Panoramic iDrive, the 1.2-metre-long screen features 8K resolution and is claimed to remain legible even in direct sunlight.

All the technology is said to have been sourced from Chery, while the screens run the company’s latest operating system.

Helping the driver clearly read key driving information, such as speed and range, the steering wheel is more oval than round for better visibility, while also gaining a pair of rollerball-style controls designed to reduce driver distraction.

Another row of physical buttons lurks beneath the touchscreen. They appear to be made from aluminium and accompany other high-grade materials, including leather- and Alcantara-wrapped surfaces.

Look closer and you’ll spot dual wireless phone chargers, plus a subtle driver-monitoring camera built into the A-pillar.

Fresh technology confirmed for the Freelander 8 includes a new Super Intelligent Valet Parking (SIVP) summon feature that allows the owner to leave the SUV at a car park and let it find a free parking space itself.

When passengers return, the Freelander can then be recalled autonomously to the pick-up point.

The Chery-JLR brand hopes owners will use the system when visiting hotels, offices and shopping centres, although some markets, such as the UK, may ban the technology.

While Land Rover designers were responsible for the styling, Chery is understood to have led the Freelander 8’s engineering and manufacturing, as well as overseeing how it will be sold globally.

There are no details on powertrains yet, but a new range-extender hybrid is expected that could also be offered on future JLR models.

Expected to combine a small 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 60kWh battery pack, the Freelander 8 should provide an electric-only driving range of around 200km.

When they arrive, the EV variants of the Toyota Prado-rivalling SUV will feature an 800-volt electrical architecture for ultra-fast DC charging.

Even the range-extender version is expected to rank among the fastest-charging hybrids available.

Helping it accept such high charging rates is CATL’s latest Freevoy battery, which is capable of 6C charging and can handle peak charging rates of up to 360kW when paired with an EREV powertrain.

Off-road, Land Rover will have helped hone the Freelander 8 into one of the most capable 4x4s available.

Hardware confirmed for the Chery-JLR model includes an electronic limited-slip differential that works alongside a virtual central locking differential to maximise traction in all conditions.

A height-adjustable dual-chamber air suspension system, meanwhile, provides the ground clearance required for more serious off-roading.

Helping the driver off road are nine different driving modes, representing a significant evolution of Land Rover’s current Terrain Response system.

Ensuring the highest levels of protection, Chery-JLR has confirmed the Freelander 8 has already been homologated for global markets, with the new SUV engineered to achieve a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. A similarly strong result is expected under ANCAP testing.

In China, sales will begin in the second half of 2026, with production taking place at the Chery-Land Rover factory in Changshu, near Shanghai.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed for China and global markets, but the Freelander 8 is set to be positioned as a more rugged and capable alternative to the Denza B5, which is priced from $74,990 to $79,990 in Australia.

When it lands in Australia, expect the reborn Freelander to be priced well below the combustion and hybrid Defender, which starts from $96,000 plus on-road costs.

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