Chery Stockman, iCaur V27 target better towing for AU launch

Key highlights:

• iCaur plans to improve the V27’s current 1600kg towing capacity
• Chery is still working towards a one-tonne Stockman payload
• The Stockman remains scheduled for Australian delivery in February 2027

Chery is working to improve the payload of its upcoming Stockman plug-in hybrid ute, while its premium iCaur brand plans to increase the towing capacity of the V27 SUV. Both models are heading to Australia in 2027, but their current figures leave room for improvement. 

The Stockman is targeting a one-tonne payload, while the V27’s current 1600kg towing limit falls short of several established large SUVs.

iCaur V27 towing capacity needs improvement

An iCaur Australia product manager at a Chinese event acknowledged that the V27’s current towing capacity isn’t sufficient for the local market.

“Currently, the V27’s towing capacity is about 1.6 tonnes. It is not enough, but we will improve it in the future,” the product manager said.

The larger of the two iCaur SUVs confirmed for Australia, the V27 uses an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain and its current 1600kg towing limit sits well below the 3500kg available with a Ford Everest fitted with the genuine tow pack.

Interestingly, the smaller iCaur V25 has a higher quoted towing capacity of 1800kg across both its battery-electric and range-extender versions. Asked why the smaller SUV could tow more than the V27, the product manager replied: “Yes, because the V27 was developed earlier than the V25.”

iCaur hasn’t announced a revised towing figure or a timeframe for the upgrade, and final Australian specifications for the V27 also remain unconfirmed.

Chery Stockman still targets a one-tonne payload

At the Chery brand, development work continues on the Stockman diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute, with the team still aiming for the originally proposed one-tonne payload. Preliminary Australian specifications list a payload of 765kg, which is 25kg less than the 790kg offered by the BYD Shark 6 Premium.

Stockman chief product manager Mark Qi acknowledged the challenge of reaching the target, pointing to the weight of the hybrid system and its battery. He confirmed Chery is still working with its Australian team to improve payload capacity, adding that payload matters less in China for a vehicle that isn’t primarily intended for commercial use.

The preliminary 765kg figure comes from the difference between the Stockman’s gross vehicle mass (GVM) and kerb weight.

GVM represents the maximum permitted weight of the fully loaded vehicle, and subtracting the 2735kg kerb weight from the 3500kg GVM gives the preliminary 765kg payload.

The Stockman’s preliminary braked towing capacity stands at 3495kg, just 5kg below the BYD Shark 6 Performance’s 3500kg limit. However, payload and towing figures tell only part of the story.

* Stockman figures are preliminary

Payload includes more than the gear loaded into the ute’s tub, and it also covers occupants, cargo, accessories fitted to the vehicle and the weight a trailer places on the towball. That means buyers who regularly carry a full load and tow a heavy trailer need to consider how those demands affect the vehicle’s available payload.

Also read: Chery’s Luxeed plans six global models, including four new SUVs

BYD Shark 6 sets a strong sales benchmark

BYD sold 18,073 Shark 6 utes in 2025, including 15,564 to private buyers, which made it Australia’s best-selling ute among private buyers, ahead of both the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. Those sales came from the original Shark 6 Premium, which offers a 790kg payload and 2500kg braked towing capacity.

BYD has since added the Shark 6 Performance, which raises braked towing capacity to 3500kg but reduces payload to 725kg.

The comparison highlights the trade-off manufacturers can face when balancing towing capability against carrying capacity, and Chery’s challenge is to improve the Stockman’s payload without losing its near-3500kg towing target.

Premcar helps tune the Stockman’s ride and handling

Chery has engaged Australian engineering firm Premcar to test and validate the Stockman’s ride and handling. That local development work complements the company’s ongoing efforts to improve payload capacity alongside its Australian team.

The Stockman remains scheduled to arrive in Australia in February 2027. Qi reaffirmed the target, saying Chery had discussed the timing with its Australian team and still planned to deliver the ute in February.

The fully electric V25 will introduce the iCaur brand to Australia in early 2027. An EREV version of the V25 and the larger V27 are also planned for later in the year, although the company has separately outlined a rollout sequence that places the V27 EREV before the V25 EREV.

iCaur is also working with an Australian supplier as part of its local development program, although it hasn’t identified the company.