Freelander Returns As Chery and Land Rover’s New EV SUV

The Freelander name is making a comeback only this time, it’s all-electric.

Spotted recently undergoing road tests in Suzhou, China, the first SUV under the new Freelander EV brand is being developed by the Chery Jaguar Land Rover (CJLR) joint venture. The model is expected to go on sale in China by 2026, with export plans to follow.

Once a Land Rover model, Freelander is now being revived as a standalone EV brand aimed squarely at China’s booming electric SUV market. The new vehicle, codenamed E0V, is built on Chery’s E0X modular platform, which supports both battery electric (BEV) and range-extended (EREV) powertrains.

Early specifications suggest the Freelander SUV will offer up to 553 HP, feature air suspension and Level 2 advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS).

The SUV has an estimated body length of around 5,000 Meters and carries the silhouette of a modern luxury crossover, bearing a resemblance to the Range Rover Sport. Despite the heavy camouflage in the spy shots, a few design cues are visible: a high bonnet line, flat roof, retractable door handles, large wing mirrors, and blacked-out rims.

Its proportions hint at a long wheelbase and short overhangs design with ample cabin space. The model is expected to feature a three-row 2+2+2 seating layout. Roof-mounted sensors, common in vehicles undergoing test validation in China, were also spotted on the prototype.

CJLR has operated in China since 2012 and currently produces models like the Range Rover Evoque, Discovery Sport, Jaguar XFL, XEL, and E-Pace. However, all production under the current lineup will cease by the end of 2026.

Jaguar Land Rover’s presence in China has weakened in recent years, hampered by declining sales, a bumpy shift toward electrification, and fresh U.S. import tariffs. The Freelander EV project marks a major strategic reset for both the joint venture and JLR’s China operations.

Initially teased under Chery’s Exeed brand, the E0V has since been rebranded and redesigned as part of the Freelander lineup. When launched, it will enter one of the most competitive segments in China’s EV market.

Core rivals in this segment include offerings like the Yangwang U8 and Zeekr 9X, as well as more affordable models such as the Deepal S09 and Geely Galaxy M9.

Now whether the Freelander EV can carve out a niche in this crowded field remains to be seen. But with full-size dimensions, luxury positioning and the combined strengths of Chery and Land Rover, this SUV is shaping up to be one of the more ambitious entries in China’s EV race.

Source: CarNewsChina