Chery’s first electric car coming to South Africa – Photos

Chery plans to launch the new Q in South Africa later this year.

The Chery Q (QQ3 in China) will be the carmaker’s first electric vehicle (EV) in our market, expanding the scope of the brand’s new-energy vehicle catalogue.

It won’t be the first electric model from any of the Chery brands, mind you, as iCAUR is scheduled to launch this May with two battery-powered SUVs – the 03T and the V23.

However, while pricing has yet to be announced, both of these vehicles are expected to be relatively premium offerings in South Africa.

In contrast, the Chery Q will be positioned as an entry-level EV, taking aim at the nation’s two most affordable models – the R339,900 Geely E2 and the R341,900 BYD Dolphin Surf.

We had a chance to check out the Q on a recent trip to China, where we saw the car at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show and in an exhibition at Chery’s headquarters in Wuhu.

First look at the Chery Q3

The new Q is actually a revival of an old nameplate used by Chery.

The original QQ series was a collection of small petrol hatchbacks and sedans sold in the 2000s, but the badge has been re-imagined for new audiences with an electric focus.

This new model is 4,195mm long, 1,811mm wide, and 1,573mm tall, putting it on par with B-segment hatchbacks.

It also has a 375-litre boot that expands to 1,450 litres when the back seats are folded, and a 35-litre “frunk” under the bonnet.

The following table shows how the Q compares to its two main electric rivals. We also included the VW Polo as a more familiar reference:

The Q will be one of the more spacious models in its segment once it arrives in South Africa.

As far as powertrains are concerned, the hatchback is equipped with a single rear-mounted electric motor.

Chery has yet to confirm the specs for the South African-bound units, but in China, the car has one of two outputs.

The base models produce 50kW and 90Nm, while the higher-end units have access to 90kW and 115Nm.

It’s a similar story with the battery, as there are two sizes on offer, starting with a 29.4kWh pack with a CLTC range of 310km.

Alternatively, there’s a larger 41.2kWh power cell with a range of 420km.

Bear in mind that South Africa typically uses the WLTP standard rather than China’s CLTC system, which means the car’s “true” range is likely between 254km and 344km.

The full equipment sheet will only be announced at a later date, but based on what we saw in China, motorists can expect a decent amount of kit from something that is ostensibly an entry-level car.

Depending on the trim level, the Q will feature Advanced Driver Assistance Systems like cruise control, blind spot detection, lane-keep assist, braking assist, tyre pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and a 540-degree camera.

In other markets, the car has a two-tone black-and-white cabin, but this is unlikely to be offered here, as a Chery representative we spoke to mentioned there isn’t enough of a market for non-black interiors in South Africa.

The dashboard has a small digital driver display, and a large floating 15.6-inch infotainment screen with smartphone pairing.

Like most Chery cars, the centre console has a wireless charging pad, two cupholders, an armrest, and a lower storage area.

More information on the Chery Q will be revealed closer to the car’s launch in South Africa later in 2026.

Chery Q3 at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show

The new Q3 at Chery’s headquarters in Wuhu, China