Chery KP31 previews world’s first diesel PHEV ute, why this one is actually interesting

KUALA LUMPUR: Most brands talking about electrified utes are going down the usual path, petrol hybrids, full EVs, or just sticking with regular diesel. Chery is trying something different, and that alone makes the KP31 concept more interesting than the usual concept-car reveal.

Shown at Chery’s recent Hybrid showcase event in Sydney, the KP31 is a preview of a production dual-cab ute that is expected to reach showrooms in Q4 2026. The big talking point is the powertrain, Chery says it will be the world’s first ute with a plug-in hybrid diesel system.

Also Read: Lepas L8 coming to Malaysia, here’s what to expect?

That is a bold move, especially in a segment where diesel still matters for towing, payload and long-distance use, but electrification is becoming harder to ignore. Instead of forcing a full EV approach into a workhorse category, Chery looks like it is trying to bridge both worlds, keep diesel strengths, then add plug-in hybrid capability on top.

According to Chery, the KP31 will use a 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine, with a claimed thermal efficiency of 47%. The company also says it will be 10% more fuel efficient than the average diesel powertrain. On paper, those are the kind of numbers that will get attention from ute buyers who actually care about running costs and range, not just badge appeal.

Chery is also quoting the figures that matter in this segment, a 1,000 kg payload and 3.5-tonne towing capacity. That puts the KP31 in the conversation where it needs to be, because no one in this class is going to take a new electrified ute seriously if it cannot do proper work.

Another point Chery is pushing is refinement. Diesel engines are great for torque, but they are not exactly known for being the quietest or smoothest. Chery says the production version will deliver a 30% reduction in vibration compared to the average diesel powertrain, with NVH being a key focus. If that claim holds up in the real world, it could be a genuine selling point, especially for buyers who use their ute as both a work vehicle and family transport.

Chery Australia COO Lucas Harris said the brand sees this as a major differentiator in the segment.

“We’re incredibly excited to finally reveal the KP31 ute concept vehicle, and this marks the next step in bringing it to the Australian market”, said Lucas Harris Chery Australia Chief Operating Officer.

“It’s also riveting to be the first brand to offer a diesel PHEV in the dual-cab ute class, which will be our key point of difference compared to the competition”.

Visually, the KP31 concept is clearly styled to look tough and ready for off-road use, even if it is still a concept. It gets large Chery lettering front and rear, a snorkel, chunky 285/70 R17 all-terrain tyres, a tub rack with 4x4 recovery tracks, and a matte grey finish.

It is very much the usual concept formula, make it look rugged, make it look big, make sure people remember it, but in this case the powertrain story is still the main reason it stands out.

In terms of size, the concept measures 5,610 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,925 mm tall. Chery says the production version will be slightly shorter at 5,450 mm long, which is more in line with what buyers would expect from a mainstream dual-cab ute.

Chery also confirmed a petrol PHEV version will join the range in 2027, so the company is not betting everything on diesel plug-in hybrid alone. That is probably the smart move, since different markets and buyers will want different setups.

For now, the KP31 is still a preview, and Chery is keeping the full production details for closer to launch. Still, the key takeaway is already clear, while most brands are playing it safe with familiar electrification strategies, Chery is trying a diesel PHEV in a ute segment that still relies heavily on diesel.

Whether it works in the market is a separate question, but as an idea, it is one of the more interesting ones we have seen in a while.

Also Read: Chery Malaysia puts TIGGO front and centre for 2026, more CSH models coming