Key highlights
- Rox Motor is targeting an Australian launch in late 2026 or early 2027, with vehicle arrivals expected closer to mid-2027.
- The Adamas combines two electric motors with a petrol engine that generates electricity, rather than driving the wheels.
- The large SUV offers six or seven seats, with an unusual optional extra that includes an emergency toilet in the centre console.
Another Chinese SUV brand is heading to Australia, with Rox Motor planning to arrive in 2027 with a range of large, boxy SUVs designed for families who want plenty of space and rugged styling.
The company, formerly known as Polestones in China, has confirmed plans to enter the Australian market. The news emerged in an email from a marketing agency, which described Australia as an important market for the brand’s expansion.
Rox Motor is reportedly looking at a brand launch in late 2026 or early 2027, although its vehicles may not arrive at local dealerships until around the middle of next year.
There’s still plenty we don’t know about its Australian plans. Pricing, the local model lineup, dealer network and warranty details are yet to be confirmed.
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Rox Adamas combines LandCruiser size with hybrid power
The model most likely to attract attention is the Rox Adamas, a large SUV roughly the size of a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.
Its upright body and squared-off styling bring the Land Rover Defender to mind, but there is an important difference underneath. Rather than using a traditional ladder-frame chassis like the LandCruiser, the Adamas uses monocoque construction, where the body and chassis form a single structure.
That makes it closer in construction to passenger cars and many modern family SUVs than to traditional off-roaders built around a separate chassis.
The Adamas is available with six or seven seats, making it relevant to large families. Its equipment includes massaging seats, a glass roof, adaptive air suspension and two large interior displays.
Rox has also included a feature that is unlikely to appear on most Australian SUV buyers’ must-have lists. The centre console can accommodate an emergency toilet designed to work with a specific plastic bag and deodorising gel. It is an unusual addition aimed at situations where conventional facilities are unavailable.
Range-extender hybrid technology explained
The Adamas uses range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) technology, which differs from the conventional hybrid systems familiar to Australian buyers.
Its electric motors drive the wheels, while the petrol engine acts as a generator to recharge the battery. The engine does not directly drive the wheels, allowing the SUV to operate primarily as an electric vehicle while carrying its own onboard electricity generator.
Flagship versions combine two electric motors producing 350kW and 740Nm. They draw power from a 44.5kWh battery, supported by a 110kW 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
Rox claims an electric-only driving range of up to 180km and a total range of 1171km in hybrid mode. These figures come from laboratory testing, so real-world results will depend on driving conditions, speed, temperature and how often the petrol generator is needed.
The setup could appeal to Australians who want to cover shorter daily trips on electricity without relying entirely on public charging infrastructure for longer journeys.
However, Australian buyers will need to wait for local specifications and testing before judging how well the system suits local conditions.
Could the Rox Adamas cost up to $100,000 in Australia?
The Rox Adamas starts at 349,900 yuan in China, which works out to around $74,600 in Australian dollars using the conversion cited in the original report.
That gives us a rough idea of where the SUV could sit, but Australian pricing is unlikely to be a straight currency conversion. Local taxes, equipment levels and the brand’s positioning will all play a part.
The Adamas could cost between $90,000 and $100,000 if it comes to Australia. That’s only an estimate for now, with local pricing yet to be confirmed.
At that price, Rox would be entering a competitive part of the large SUV market. Buyers could also look at established models and newer Chinese alternatives, including the Denza B8.
Other SUVs that could enter the mix include the Zeekr 8X and 9X, Freelander 8, Denza N9 and Aito 9. However, their Australian launch plans and specifications vary, and not all are confirmed for our market.
Another Chinese SUV brand joins Australia’s crowded market
Rox will face a familiar challenge as it prepares to enter Australia. Its distinctive SUVs might grab attention, but buyers will also want to know how easy it will be to get their vehicles serviced, source parts and access warranty support.
These considerations could be especially important for a large, technology-heavy SUV with a range-extender powertrain, which may be unfamiliar to many Australian buyers.
Rox already sells vehicles in China and the Middle East, but it hasn’t announced its Australian dealer network or after-sales arrangements.
For now, the Adamas is another potential addition to Australia’s growing range of large hybrid SUVs. Whether it can stand out in a crowded market will depend on its final pricing, equipment and the support it offers local owners.
More details should emerge as the brand gets closer to its planned Australian launch in 2027.
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