- Chery’s new Q electric car will arrive in South Africa at the end of August, with prices ranging from R350 000 to R400 000.
- Developed primarily for city driving, it pairs a 90 kW motor with a 42.7 kWh battery and offers a claimed range of up to 400 km on the NEDC cycle.
- Although compact, the Q has a 2,700 mm wheelbase, up to 1,450 litres of rear load space and a separate 70-litre front trunk.
Chery South Africa will introduce the fully electric Chery Q at the beginning of September, with pricing starting at R350 000.
Developed to make electric mobility accessible to a broader range of South African motorists, the Q combines compact dimensions with a spacious cabin, useful storage capacity and a claimed driving range suited to everyday commuting.
“The Q has been developed to make electric driving a realistic option for more South Africans,” says Verene Petersen, National Marketing and Communications Manager at Chery South Africa.
“Its compact dimensions make it well suited to the city, but it still offers the space, range and everyday practicality buyers expect from their primary vehicle. With pricing starting at R350 000, it represents an important step in making electric mobility more accessible locally.”
The Q is powered by a 90 kW electric motor paired with a 42.7 kWh battery, providing a claimed range of up to 400 km on the NEDC cycle. Its compact footprint and 5.2-metre turning radius are intended to make it easy to use in busy urban environments, while intelligent driver-assistance and automatic parking systems in the Elite derivative help with congestion and tight parking spaces
Compact dimensions, practical packaging
The Chery Q measures 4,195 mm long, 1,811 mm wide and 1,570 mm high. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, it has a 2,700 mm wheelbase, allowing for a comparatively spacious cabin while keeping the vehicle manageable around town.
Boot capacity starts at 375 litres and expands to 1,450 litres when additional space is required. A 70-litre front trunk provides further storage, supported by several smaller compartments throughout the cabin.
Its four-wheels-at-the-corners layout and short front and rear overhangs contribute to both its interior packaging and planted stance. Depending on the derivative, the Q rides on 16- or 17-inch wheels, while semi-flush door handles, two-tone exterior mirrors and a floating C-pillar add detail to its profile.
Red Dot-recognised design
The Q’s exterior design combines squared-off proportions with softer, rounded details. Chery refers to this approach as “Square-Round Harmony”, to give the vehicle a distinctive but approachable appearance.
At the front, the closed-off grille reflects the Q’s electric powertrain, while Q-shaped LED headlights provide its most recognisable design feature. Each square headlight chamber incorporates a curved lighting element that gives the vehicle a friendly expression.
The design has received international recognition through a Red Dot Product Design Award. Rather than defining the vehicle, the award supports Chery’s focus on creating a compact EV that is visually distinctive without relying on excessive detailing.
A six-layer, high-gloss paint finish is used across the range and is supported by a 10-year anti-fade promise.
A clean and functional cabin
Inside, the Q has a dual-tone dashboard, contrast-colour air vents and a flat-bottom steering wheel. A column-mounted gear selector removes the need for a conventional shifter on the centre console, freeing additional storage space below.
An 8.8-inch digital instrument display is paired with a 15.6-inch 2.5K central touchscreen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor. The system supports a customisable home screen and gesture controls. The cabin also features a 1.22 m² windscreen and a 16.8-degree upper field of vision, helping to improve outward visibility in traffic and confined spaces.
Pre-order package
Chery has introduced a pre-order package for the Q that includes a seven-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty, a home-charging wallbox and portable charging equipment.
Customers will also be able to choose between a charging card of equivalent value to their holding deposit or a deduction from the vehicle’s purchase price. A complimentary electric tailgate upgrade will form part of the offer.
Further information on the Chery Q range, standard specifications and final derivative pricing will be announced closer to its South African launch in early September.
