WUHU, CHINA – The reborn Freelander brand has shown its first model in a new five-seat form. The Freelander 8 five-seater made its first public appearance at “Freelander Nightfall” in Wuhu, China, part of the 2026 Chery International User Summit, where the brand also revealed new details of the plug-in hybrid that will be sold in export markets, starting with the UAE in the first quarter of 2027.
Freelander is a new standalone brand created by China’s Chery and Jaguar Land Rover. The Freelander 8 made its international debut in Abu Dhabi on 29 September, underlining how important the Middle East is to the brand’s global plans.
A big, bold SUV
The Freelander 8 is a very large SUV. It measures 5,118 mm long, 2,050 mm wide and 1,926 mm tall, with a 3,040 mm wheelbase. That makes it 83 mm longer and 54 mm wider than a Land Rover Defender 110, though 44 mm lower. It also has serious off-road credentials, with up to 266 mm of ground clearance and a 900 mm wading depth.
The new five-seat version joins the existing six-seat model and is designed for buyers who want more luggage space and a more spacious second row, with optional zero-gravity seats for rear passengers.
460 kW plug-in hybrid for the Middle East
For export markets, the Freelander 8 will be a plug-in hybrid. It pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor on each axle for all-wheel drive. The left-hand-drive Middle East model produces 460 kW and 662 Nm, enough for a claimed 0–100 km/h in 5.8 seconds.
A 34.12 kWh LFP battery gives up to 110 km of electric range on the WLTC cycle and a combined range of 886 km. The battery can charge at up to 11 kW on AC, and DC fast charging takes it from 20 to 80 percent in under 20 minutes.
In China, the Freelander 8 uses a different range-extender set-up, with a 1.5-litre engine that acts purely as a generator, a 60.3 kWh battery and up to 610 kW.
A 46-inch screen
The cabin is dominated by a 46.3-inch mini-LED display that spans the entire dashboard, one of the largest screens in any car. It is complemented by a 15.6-inch touchscreen and, importantly, a set of physical buttons for key functions. An optional 17.3-inch screen in the roof entertains rear passengers, and there are up to 23 speakers and a cabin fridge.
UAE first
Freelander is rolling out in three phases. Phase one starts in the UAE and other left-hand-drive markets, with UAE deliveries due in Q1 2027, followed by expansion to other Middle Eastern countries. Phase two focuses on right-hand-drive markets, led by Australia and New Zealand, and phase three brings the car to continental Europe, then the UK and Ireland.
Prices for the UAE have not yet been announced. In China, where the Freelander 8 launched on 3 September and received 5,000 firm orders in its first 12 hours, prices start at 309,900 yuan.
At the Wuhu event, Kym Mellow, head of Freelander Australia and New Zealand, said local customer research showed buyers want traditional four-wheel-drive looks and capability combined with more comfort and technology, exactly the balance the Freelander 8 is designed to strike.
Built for family adventures
Beyond the headline numbers, the Freelander 8 is designed to be a comfortable long-distance family car. The plug-in hybrid lets owners drive most daily trips on electricity, then use the petrol engine for long highway journeys or weekend escapes into the desert or mountains. The all-wheel-drive system, high ground clearance and deep wading ability mean it should be able to handle rough tracks and sand that would stop most luxury SUVs.
Inside, the focus is on space and technology. The five-seat layout frees up room for bigger luggage loads and gives second-row passengers the option of reclining zero-gravity seats, while the giant dashboard display, rear entertainment screen and premium audio system are designed to keep everyone entertained on long drives. It is a recipe that has proved very popular in China, where large, high-tech family SUVs are among the fastest-growing segments.
A famous name, a new direction
The Freelander name was used by Land Rover from 1997 until 2015 on its compact SUV, before being replaced by the Discovery Sport. Its revival as a separate brand is one of the most interesting moves in the industry: JLR provides the name and design heritage, while Chery brings its electrified powertrains, technology and manufacturing scale. It is not badged as a Land Rover, but its boxy, adventurous design clearly draws on the British brand’s DNA.
For the Gulf, where large, capable SUVs are the backbone of the market and the Land Rover name is held in high regard, the Freelander 8 could be a strong contender, offering Defender-like size and presence with plug-in hybrid efficiency and a technology-packed cabin.
Freelander 8: key facts
- Brand: Freelander, a Chery–JLR joint venture
- Size: 5,118 mm long, 3,040 mm wheelbase
- Seats: Five or six
- Export powertrain: 2.0 turbo plug-in hybrid, 460 kW, 662 Nm, AWD
- Range: 110 km electric, 886 km combined (WLTC)
- Screen: 46.3-inch mini-LED dashboard display
- UAE deliveries: From Q1 2027