Chery KP31 Ute Interior Revealed: Diesel Hybrid Dual-Cab Targets the Ranger

Image credit: Chery Australia

Chery has pulled the covers off the interior of its KP31 dual-cab ute concept, and it's clear this thing is aiming straight at the top of the segment. Think Ford Ranger Wildtrak territory, not base-model fleet fodder. Leather, suede, three diff locks, and a diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain that nobody else offers. It's the first time we've seen the cabin, and the message is obvious: Chery wants the premium ute buyer.

The Interior: Off-Road Controls Meet Premium Trim

Image credit: Chery Australia

The dashboard layout is dominated by a large floating touchscreen paired with a digital instrument cluster behind a flat-bottomed, two-tone steering wheel. It looks modern without going full Tesla minimalist. Importantly, Chery has kept physical controls for the climate system, a row of tactile switches sitting below the main screen. That'll please anyone who's tried adjusting the aircon via touchscreen while wearing work gloves.

Image credit: Chery Australia

The centre console is where it gets interesting. A chunky, aircraft-style gear selector sits in the middle, flanked by physical toggle switches for the 4WD system: 4H, 4L, and AWD modes. There are also dedicated buttons for a 360-degree camera and a toggle to switch between EV and HEV modes for the plug-in hybrid system. Ahead of the shifter, a dual wireless phone charging pad is built into a textured surface.

But the real headline is the off-road hardware. The concept has individual controls for front, centre, and rear locking differentials, plus crawl control and a tight-turn function that drags the inside wheel to help pivot around tight corners on loose surfaces. That's serious off-road kit. For context, the Toyota HiLux offers a rear diff lock only, and the Ford Ranger tops out at a rear diff lock with the optional locking front diff on the Raptor.

Luxury Touches Everywhere

Image credit: Chery Australia

The prototype is dressed in tan leather with a wave-pattern stitch on the seats, contrasted by dark suede covering the upper dashboard, door trims, and headliner. The passenger side of the dash has an industrial-looking grab handle next to a textured panel fastened with exposed hex bolts. It's a deliberate rugged-meets-luxury aesthetic, similar to what Kia did with the Tasman.

Other premium kit includes heated and ventilated electric front seats, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting that runs across the dash and into the doors, adaptive cruise control, and a premium sound system with stainless steel speaker grilles. The steering wheel and door armrests are leather-wrapped. This is clearly the range-topping spec, and it looks like it could genuinely compete with a Ranger Wildtrak or Prado on cabin quality.

Rear Seats

Image credit: Chery Australia

The rear bench gets the same leather treatment, with some noticeable rake built into the backrest for improved comfort on longer trips. There are dedicated rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, though there doesn't appear to be a fold-down centre armrest. The panoramic sunroof extends over the second row, which should make the rear cabin feel open and airy.

Under the Bonnet: Diesel PHEV First

The KP31 will be the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid ute. It pairs an electric motor with a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine. Exact power and torque figures haven't been confirmed, but unverified reports out of China suggest some seriously strong numbers, along with up to 170km of electric-only driving range. If that EV range figure holds up, it would dwarf the BYD Shark 6, which uses a petrol-hybrid setup.

Chery has confirmed 3,500kg braked towing and 1,000kg payload. That puts it level with the Ranger, HiLux, and D-Max on towing. Payload is modest compared to some diesel utes (the Ranger XL does 1,185kg), but 1,000kg covers most recreational and light trade use.

A petrol PHEV variant is planned to follow in 2027, which will compete more directly with the Shark 6. The diesel version arrives first, likely late 2026.

Size: Bigger Than a Ranger

Image credit: Chery Australia

Based on concept dimensions, the KP31 measures roughly 80mm longer, 2mm wider, and 39mm taller than a Ford Ranger Wildtrak. That makes it one of the largest dual-cabs headed for Australia. The prototype also features front and rear bash plates, recovery points, a snorkel, and all-terrain tyres on six-stud alloy wheels. Off-road capability was clearly a priority during development.

The Name

KP31 is just the internal codename. Chery ran a public naming competition in Australia that pulled in over 20,000 entries in two weeks. Submissions closed in late March, and the shortlist and community vote are still pending. We'll update this article when the official name drops.

Our Take

This is a genuine contender. A diesel PHEV with three diff locks, 170km of EV range, and a cabin that looks like a luxury SUV is a combination nobody else is offering. The Ranger and HiLux are proven, sure, but neither can plug in and run on electricity for the daily commute, then switch to diesel for a 3,500kg tow on the weekend.

The unknowns are pricing, real-world fuel economy, and whether Chery's Australian dealer network can support a vehicle this complex. But based on what we've seen so far, the ute segment is about to get a lot more interesting. We reckon this is the one to watch in 2026.

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