Freelander confirmed for UK market

Need another Chinese SUV to choose from? The JLR-Chery collab is inbound

By Matt Bird / Tuesday, 6 October 2026 / Loading comments

In the glut of Chinese electric cars out there, you may well already have heard about Freelander. Because, well, it’s the name of an old Land Rover, and has come about thanks to JLR and Chery working together. The idea being that everyone wins: JLR gets some insight into the Chinese way of making cars, Chery has access to great brand recognition. Many more people have heard of a Freelander than they have a Chery Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9 combined. Plus a Freelander isn’t called a Tiggo…

Now it’s been confirmed that the Freelander brand will be offered in the UK. As part of a third phase of market rollout, European markets like Germany, Spain, Italy and Belgium will be followed up by the UK and Ireland. Freelander says the move ‘will bring the brand’s British design heritage and intelligent technology to more European customers’. It seems unlikely before 2028, given Freelander is only currently talking about LHD expansion that ‘will continue in 2027’ - the UAE is first, followed by the Middle East and North Africa - but it’ll happen alright.

Exactly which Freelander we’ll get isn’t clear for the moment. The brand launched last week with the Freelander 8, the huge 600hp PHEV SUV that’s in the pictures, but it’s hard to imagine JLR would love the idea of such a closely aligned Defender rival from its joint merger project being sold here. Presumably smaller, more affordable hybrids and EVs are on the way.

For now, all that’s being said is that launch dates, dealer networks, ‘product specifications and sales arrangements will be announced individually as local plans progress.’ Interestingly, we won’t just be getting a global-grade car with the steering wheel on the right; Freelander says that ‘development and validation for different climates, road conditions and customer needs’ are being considered from the outset. And who better to make a new car work in Britain than JLR?

Lucia Mao, CEO of Freelander International, said, “Freelander is a British legend. But we want to do more than just bring it back. Chinese technology opens up new possibilities. That is what ‘Beyond the Legend’ means. British soul. Chinese intelligence. A legend going further than ever.” So if this is another new brand to you, expect to hear plenty more in the coming months. And maybe, just maybe, a little bit more interest in the best versions of the Land Rover Freelander. Stranger things have happened…