Will the Chery-JLR Freelander 8 Come to Malaysia? RHD Planned and ASEAN Testing Underway

The name Freelander has, for all intents and purposes, faded from memory in Malaysia.

The previous-generation Freelander's last registration in Malaysia was recorded in March 2017. For a full nine years, the moniker once synonymous with "entry-level Land Rover" has completely vanished from the local market.

Then, it returned—in a manner we have never expected.

In April 2026, at the Beijing Auto Show, the Freelander 8 made its global debut. It is no longer merely a model under the Land Rover umbrella, but the first mass-produced vehicle from an independent premium new energy SUV brand jointly owned by Chery and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).

A three-row luxury SUV boasting a length exceeding 5.1 metres and a wheelbase surpassing 3 metres, bearing the Freelander nameplate, carrying Land Rover's design DNA, equipped with Chery's range-extender technology, and featuring Huawei's intelligent driving system.

The question arises: Will this vehicle arrive in Malaysia? And if so, when?

What exactly is the Freelander 8?

Before debating its potential arrival in Malaysia, let us first clarify what it is.

The Freelander 8 is built upon Chery's new iMAX platform architecture, which supports multiple powertrain options including pure electric, range-extended, and plug-in hybrid variants. Its body dimensions are 5,118 mm (extending up to 5,185 mm depending on selected body kits) × 2,050 mm × 1,898 mm, with a wheelbase of 3,040 mm. It features a 2+2+2 six-seat layout.

To put this size into perspective: it is approximately 100 mm longer than the current Land Rover Defender 110. A vehicle bearing the Freelander name is longer than the active Defender model—this is not "entry-level Land Rover," but rather "a super large Land Rover".

Regarding design, the Freelander 8 was developed by the JLR design team; Design Director Phil Simmons previously worked on the original Freelander at Land Rover. The production model largely retains the design language of the Concept 97, including Land Rover's signature interlocking headlamps, large Freelander lettering on the front and rear, and prominent anti-scratch skid plates. The most distinctive design detail is the retention of the iconic triangular rear window from the original three-door convertible Freelander. The brand has even turned this triangular window into a logo, representing the letters F and L. The cabin is equipped with a panoramic wide-screen display spanning from A-pillar to A-pillar.

Off-road capabilities are the highlight of the Freelander 8.

It is equipped with the world's first i-ATS intelligent all-terrain system, offering 9 off-road driving modes. This system relies on LiDAR and stereo cameras for terrain perception, achieving millimetre-level road condition recognition precision, and has been validated across 20 terrain types. The chassis features a front mechanical locking differential, rear electronic limited-slip differential (e-LSD), a virtual centre differential, and a closed dual-chamber air suspension. Such specifications would be at home on any Land Rover.

In terms of intelligence, the Freelander 8 comes standard with the Huawei Qiankun Intelligent Driving ADS 5.0 system and an 896-line LiDAR unit. The chipset is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8397, delivering approximately three times the CPU and GPU computing power compared to the Snapdragon 8295, and a 12-fold increase in NPU performance.

Regarding powertrain, the China-debut model utilises a range-extender hybrid system, featuring a Chery 1.5-litre turbocharged range extender with a maximum power output of 115 kW. The battery is a 60.331 kWh Xiaoyao Extended & Hybrid battery, jointly developed with CATL, offering a WLTC pure electric range of 221 kilometres. The 800V high-voltage architecture supports a 6C charging rate, with peak charging power reaching 350 kW.

The ambition of this vehicle is clear: to leverage Chery's technology and cost control, combined with Land Rover's design and brand DNA, to create a luxury new energy SUV that is significantly more affordable than the Defender without compromising on specifications.

Will the Freelander 8 arrive in Malaysia?

This is the most pressing concern for all potential Malaysian buyers.

The good news is: the right-hand drive version has been planned, and ASEAN testing is underway.

The Freelander brand has clearly confirmed synchronous development of left-hand drive, right-hand drive, and EU-compliant versions, ensuring consistent quality and user experience across all markets. The existence of the right-hand drive version indicates that right-hand drive markets such as Malaysia, Australia, and the UK have been part of the product planning landscape from the outset.

More specific signals include: The Freelander 8 is designed to meet the standards of five major global safety assessment systems—Euro NCAP, C-NCAP, ANCAP, Latin NCAP, and ASEAN NCAP. This means the Freelander 8 is making substantial preparations to enter the ASEAN market, rather than merely staying in the "consideration" phase.

However, the bad news is: there is currently no confirmed Malaysia launch plan.

The Freelander 8 is scheduled to launch first in the Chinese market in the second half of 2026. The global rollout will follow subsequently. The Freelander plans to introduce six new models over the next five years, with target markets including China, the Middle East, and Europe. Whether Southeast Asia is included in the initial global rollout list remains unconfirmed by the official source.

If it does come, when might that be?

Based on available information, we can make some reasonable extrapolations.

The earliest it could arrive is 2027. The Freelander 8 will not launch in China until the second half of 2026, and the global rollout requires time. If testing and certification in Southeast Asia are completed within 2026, an entry into the ASEAN market in 2027 is an optimistic estimate. If testing and certification progress more slowly, it might be pushed to the second half of 2027 or even later.

Of course, this is merely speculation based on current information and not any official announcement.

If the Freelander 8 arrives, who will it appeal to?

The positioning of the Freelander 8 in Malaysia is actually quite unique.

Land Rover is an absolute luxury brand in Malaysia. The pricing of models such as the Defender and Range Rover falls into a "just look" category for the vast majority of Malaysian consumers.

The arrival of the Freelander 8 could change this dynamic. With the budget for a mid-to-high-end SUV, one could acquire a large three-row SUV featuring Land Rover's design DNA, complete off-road capabilities, and Huawei's intelligent driving system—a combination that currently has almost no rivals in the Malaysian market.

It will attract two types of buyers:

First, those who aspire to own a Land Rover but lack the budget. These individuals admire the Land Rover brand and design but find the Defender price out of reach. The Freelander 8 offers an option of "downgrading without compromising prestige."

Second, those currently evaluating high-end models from Chinese brands like Chery, Jaecoo, and BYD. These consumers are already receptive to the product strength of Chinese brands, but a combination of "Chinese technology + British design" could pique their interest even further.

Of course, the Freelander 8 also faces challenges. Brand perception needs to be rebuilt—Malaysian consumers' memory of the Freelander name dates back nine years, and the previous Freelander was a "small car," not the 5.1-metre giant we see today. After-sales service networks, parts availability, and used vehicle value retention—all these are issues that a new brand must address when entering the market.

Final Thoughts

Will the Freelander 8 arrive in Malaysia? Most likely, but it will need some time.

The right-hand drive version has been planned, and ASEAN testing is underway—these signals point in one direction: the Freelander 8's entry into the ASEAN market is merely a matter of time.

However, "entering ASEAN" does not equate to "entering Malaysia." The scale and competitive landscape of the Malaysian market may influence Freelander's priority. If Chery-JLR chooses to test the waters first in Thailand or Indonesia, Malaysia may have to wait even longer.

For Malaysian consumers currently considering a large SUV:

If you are not in a hurry to replace your vehicle, the Freelander 8 is worth keeping an eye on. More definitive news may emerge in 2027.

If you need a vehicle right now, Chery's existing product lineup (Tiggo 8 Pro, Jaecoo J8) and the upcoming LEPAS brand already offer excellent Chinese brand SUV options.

The Freelander 8 is an interesting vehicle. It possesses the soul of Land Rover, the bones of Chery, and the brain of Huawei. While this kind of "hybridisation" is becoming increasingly common in the automotive industry, the Freelander 8 may represent the boldest attempt to date.

Note: As the global version of this vehicle has not been released with related imagery, all images used in this article are official pictures of the Chinese version.