Chery Q electric hatch set for Australia as cut-price BYD Atto 1 rival

The Chery Q is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms in 2027 as a cut-price electric hatch to rival the BYD Atto 1 – currently Australia’s cheapest electric vehicle (EV).

Chery Australia has not officially confirmed the five-seat, five-door Q hatch for local sale, but its introduction to the Chinese brand’s local lineup was indicated by an executive at the Auto China 2026 show in Beijing.

No further details – such as the model range or whether the Q will match or undercut the Atto 1’s $23,990 before on-road costs starting price – have yet been confirmed for what should become second Chery-badged EV here following the E5 small electric SUV.

In China, the two models are closely matched on price, with the Q starting at ¥58,900 and the Atto 1 priced from ¥69,800, while top-spec versions of both electric hatchbacks are listed at ¥78,900 (about A$16,000). CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.

Featuring LED headlights and tail-lights that spell out the letter ‘Q’, the Chery hatch has a soft-edged design the automaker describes as a “square and circle symbiosis”.

The Q sits between the Atto 1 and the new MG 4 Urban in terms of size, measuring 4195mm long, 1811mm wide and 1568mm high on a 2700mm wheelbase.

Boot space is quoted at 375 litres, expanding to 1450L with the rear seatbacks folded down, while there’s also a 70L front trunk and a claimed 38 storage spaces throughout the cabin.

Power comes from a rear-mounted electric motor producing 58kW along with 90Nm of torque, paired with a 29.48kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery delivering a claimed 310km of range on the CLTC cycle.

Higher-spec variants use a more powerful 90kW/115Nm motor and a larger 41.28kWh LFP battery, increasing range to a claimed 420km (CLTC).

By comparison, the BYD Atto 1 offers 220km and 310km of driving range depending on the variant, measured under the more stringent WLTP cycle.

DC fast-charging allows a 30 to 80 per cent top-up in as little as 16.5 minutes, says Chery.

Despite its focus on practicality, the Q features multi-link independent rear suspension and rides on 16-inch wheels as standard, with 17-inch alloys available on higher grades overseas.

Inside, all models feature keyless entry and ‘Yunshu leather’ seat trim, along with an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen.

Higher grades upgrade to an 8.8-inch instrument display and a 15.6-inch multimedia screen, along with a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor running the ‘Sugar OS’ operating system with AI voice control.

Standard features also include a 540-degree surround-view camera system, parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring, and ISOFIX child seat anchor points.

The Q would enter a smaller segment but add incremental volume to the brand’s sales momentum, which is currently led by the Tiggo 4 small SUV – Australia’s seventh most popular model overall in March.

Chery Australia has said it aims to be a top-five auto brand locally by 2027. It finished 13th in 2025 with 34,889 sales, following a series of record results.

It sits in ninth place overall so far this year, with 11,736 sales between January and March – nearly double its tally at the same point last year.

Also set to boost Chery’s sales is the brand’s first ute, a plug-in hybrid diesel-powered dual-cab hitherto codenamed KP31, due in Australia before the end of 2026. MORE: Explore the Chery showroom