The ute market is crowded, and standing out in that crowd can be difficult. Just about every major manufacturer has a dual-cab ready to tow, tour, work and play.
So, when a new ute arrives, it takes a lot to get the Australian public’s attention.
The upcoming Chery Stockman may have done exactly that.
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Not Another Ute
On paper, the Stockman is entering one of the toughest segments in the country. Australians are fiercely loyal to their utes, and for good reason. The established players have spent decades earning reputations for reliability, capability and durability in some of the harshest conditions on earth.
Bu Chery aren’t aiming to copy what’s already out there. Instead, they’re arriving with something genuinely different.
The Stockman is set to become Australia’s first diesel plug-in hybrid ute. Pairing a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with an electric motor and battery system, Chery claim the combination will deliver up to 350kW and 800Nm. This means you can save fuel without sacrificing the grunt of a diesel towing machine. Even their electric-only driving range is set to exceed 100 kms under testing conditions.
Those numbers may not seem revolutionary, but being able to produce that while saving money on fuel, which is looking shaky at the best of times, is a win.
Why Diesel-Hybrid Makes More Sense Than You Might Think
The 4WD industry has been moving towards an electrified future for some time, but most touring enthusiasts have been left in the dust, wondering where they fit into the picture.
Hybrid 4X4s face challenges in remote Australia. Chargers can be hundreds of kilometres apart and if you want to tow anything substantial, you’d best not leave the east coast.
The Stockman is looking at a different approach.
For the daily commute, school run or a cheeky Macca’s run, the battery can do much of the work. But when it’s time to hitch up a camper or point the bonnet towards Cape York, the diesel engine is there. It provides that range and refuelling convenience Aussies expect from a touring vehicle.
The Numbers Look Promising
A birds eye view, x-ray style look at the new Chery Stockman ute
Photo: Chery Australia
While we’ll reserve final judgement until we can get behind the wheel, the early specifications certainly tick a few boxes.
Chery has confirmed targets of:
- 3,500kg braked towing capacity
- 1,000kg payload
- 800Nm of combines torque
- More than 100km of electric-only range
- Dual-cab 4X4 configuration
Those figures place it squarely in contention with Australia’s most popular touring utes.
More importantly, Chery has stated these towing and payload figures were considered non-negotiable. They claim Australia was in the brief from the start. It’s being made with our roads (and lack of) in mind.
What Matters to Tourers
Of course, spec sheets are easy. The real test will begin when accessories start going on, because in Australia, utes rarely stay stock for long. Bullbars, winches, canopies, long-range batteries, rooftop tents, fridges and recovery gear all add weight. Before long, even generous payload figures can disappear surprisingly quickly.
So, here’s our unanswered questions, that only time will tell:
- How will it perform while towing at highway speeds?
- What happens to fuel consumption once the battery is depleted?
- How capable is the standard suspension package?
- Will aftermarket support arrive quickly?
These questions will be the dealbreakers for us, and then we can determine whether the Stockman is a serious touring platform or simply an interesting idea.
Chery Knows it has Something to Prove
Unlike Toyota, Ford or Isuzu, Chery doesn’t have decades of outback credibility in the bank. That means the Stockman won’t be judged against other new vehicles, but legends like the Ranger, Hilux and D-Max. Because to claim you’re built for Australia means you need to match the desert crossings and mountain tracks that these utes have done so often and so well.
And it isn’t an easy benchmark to reach, but it’s one we’re excited to see fought for.
The good news is that Chery appears to understand the assignment. The company says Australian conditions have played a significant role during development and have positioned towing and long-distance capability as key priorities.
As much as the tangibles are important, reliability, dealer support, spare parts availability and long-term durability will matter just as much.
Should the Establishment be Nervous?
A view from inside the cabin of the new Chery Stockman ute
Photo: Chery Australia
Maybe. The ute market doesn’t change overnight, and there’s every chance those who have driven Hiluxes and Rangers for decades will stick with what they know.
But disruption rarely arrives by doing the same thing as everyone else. If Chery can deliver on their claimed towing capability, respectable real-world range and competitive pricing, the Stockman could carve out a genuine niche among touring enthusiasts. Even those who swear by a diesel can’t help but be interested in the benefits (largely financial) electrification can offer.
Final Thoughts
A few years ago, the idea of a diesel-electric touring ute would have sounded unlikely.
But the Chery Stockman might be what is needed. It still has plenty to prove to earn a place alongside our established touring favourites, but unlike many new vehicles, it isn’t simply offering more screens, more gadgets or a styling refresh. It’s bringing a breath of fresh air to a stagnant segment.
So in this market that is dominated by familiar names and formulas, the Stockman is already worth paying attention to.
From the Simpson to the High Country
We cover anywhere you can legally go in Australia
