Chery Tiggo V SUV that transforms into a ute

Chery has unveiled the genre-bending Tiggo V at the 2026 Beijing motor show, a three-row SUV that can transform into a ute by removing its rear body section and third-row seating. And it’s under consideration for the Australian market.

The Chery Tiggo V is one of the more unconventional debuts from the Beijing motor show, blending family SUV practicality with the versatility of a dual-cab ute.

At its core, the Tiggo V is a three-row SUV, but its defining feature is a removable rear section.

By detaching the rear bodywork and third-row seating, the vehicle effectively becomes an open-bed ute, aimed at buyers who want occasional load-carrying ability without committing to a traditional ladder-frame workhorse, like a Toyota HiLux or Mitsubishi Triton.

Unlike established workhorse utes like the Ford Ranger, the Tiggo V rides on a car-based unibody platform.

These layout typically delivers more car-like ride and handling characteristics in everyday driving, though it comes at the expense of heavy-duty towing and payload capability.

Chery claims up to six different configurations will be offered, including a camper-style setup, though the brand has yet to detail exactly how the removable roof and rear section operate, or where those components are stored when detached.

Powertrain options are expected to include both petrol and plug-in hybrid variants. But it could leverage the Tiggo 9’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with dual e-motors, all-wheel drive, and a 34 kilowatt-hour battery.

It’s unlikely to get the diesel PHEV powertrain from the highly-anticipated Chery KP31 ute.

Off-road credentials look fairly solid, with an impressive 220mm of ground clearance and a claimed 700mm wading depth.

Chery Australia has stopped short of confirming the Tiggo V for local showrooms, but the idea has been acknowledged as a potential fit for the market.

While still unconfirmed for Australia, the Tiggo V points to a growing sub-segment of lifestyle-oriented utes that prioritise comfort and flexibility over outright toughness.

With Chery gaining traction locally through its expanding SUV line-up, and its upcoming diesel PHEV ute, the Tiggo V could represent a second in the ute market. One aimed squarely at buyers juggling school runs, weekend getaways and light-duty hauling rather than hay hauling and tool storage.

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