A Chinese Land Rover!? Timing firms for Chery and Land Rover co-developed Freelander SUV brand as new logo unveiled for future Kia Sorento, Toyota Kluger rival

The logo for Land Rover’s forthcoming standalone Freelander brand, which is coming to fruition as part of a joint venture with China’s Chery, has been revealed.

Freelander is set to sit alongside standalone Land Rover brands like Range Rover, Defender and Discovery.

As reported by Chinese publication Autohome, the first Freelander vehicle is set to debut in the second half of 2026.

It’s reportedly a large six-seater SUV with a range-extender (REEV) powertrain.

Previous reports have speculated this SUV will be based on a joint-venture platform called E0X and draw features and powertrains from Chery’s premium Exceed brand.

This means the Freelander SUV could be based on the Exceed Sterra ET, which is based on the E0X platform. It’s offered with both REEV and all-electric powertrains.

It’ll likely have different looks, however, as the exterior is reportedly being designed by JLR Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern. He’s designed virtually all of Land Rover’s current line-up, including the current Defender.

Initially this Freelander SUV will be for the Chinese market only, but the company is reportedly looking at expanding into other markets in the future. It’s unclear if a right-hand-drive version is being considered.

This SUV is set to be built at Chery Jaguar Land Rover’s existing production facility in Changshu, China.

This plant currently manufactures the Land Rover Discovery Sport, a stretched version of the Range Rover Evoque, as well as the Jaguar E-Pace and stretched versions of the XE and XF for the Chinese domestic market.

Beyond this initial Freelander SUV, a wider “family” of electric models will be offered. There are reportedly three models in the works currently.

The original Land Rover Freelander was offered for two generations between 1997 and 2015.

Initially offered with only a three-door body style in first-generation guise, this model was eventually replaced by the Range Rover Evoque in 2011.

The second-generation Freelander was only offered in five-door guise and was succeeded by the Discovery Sport in 2015.