CHERY Q: extremely cheap in China, will it be available in the Netherlands soon?
The CHERY Q makes its European debut at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. This electric hatchback will arrive in the Netherlands in 2027 and offers surprisingly ample interior space. In China, it costs less than €10,000 when converted. But at what price will it be available in our showrooms soon?
CHERY Q debuts in Europe in Paris
Chinese automakers are increasingly focusing on compact and affordable electric vehicles. CHERY is also joining this competition. The new Q makes its European debut from October 12 to 18 at the Paris auto show and is expected to arrive in the Netherlands in the second quarter of 2027.
The car isn’t entirely new, by the way. In China it’s already known as the Chery QQ3. We wrote about it earlier on e-Drivers.com when it wasn’t clear yet whether the model would come to Europe. That confirmation has now arrived. The Q will soon compete with models such as the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, Citroën ë-C3, and BYD Dolphin Surf.
The compact CHERY Q makes smart use of its dimensions
With a length of 4.20 meters, the CHERY Q is compact enough for city driving, but it’s by no means a tiny urban car. It measures 1.81 meters wide and 1.57 meters tall. The 2.70-meter wheelbase is particularly notable—it’s quite large for this class and should provide ample interior space.
CHERY uses its electric T1X 3.0 architecture for this purpose. Thanks to the flat floor, extra space is created for the passengers. How much legroom this actually provides will have to be experienced during a first test drive.
The trunk space promises a lot. There is 375 liters of space at the back, which increases to 1,450 liters when the rear seat is folded down. Additionally, there is a frunk area of 70 liters under the hood. Inside as well, CHERY has made use of every centimeter, offering a whopping 38 storage options. Among these is a 35-liter pull-out tray under the rear seat. These are practical solutions that you will especially appreciate in everyday use.
Rear-wheel drive, but no extremely long range
Technically, CHERY has made an interesting choice. While many compact electric cars use front-wheel drive, the Q uses rear-wheel drive. The electric motor is located at the back and delivers 90 kW, or 122 horsepower. We shouldn’t expect sporty performance from it, but it seems more than sufficient for daily use.
The battery pack has a capacity of 42.7 kWh and uses LFP technology. Based on preliminary WLTP figures, the CHERY Q can travel up to 310 kilometers on a single charge. This is generally sufficient for daily commuting, but those who frequently drive long distances will be particularly interested in the charging performance.
CHERY has not yet disclosed any details regarding this aspect. Both the maximum fast charging capacity and AC charging options are currently unknown. However, the Q does come equipped with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, which allows it to power external electrical devices. With a turning radius of just 10.4 meters, the hatchback is also expected to be quite agile.
Large touchscreen and impressive amount of technology
Inside, CHERY opts for a modern dashboard with a relatively minimalist design. At the center is a 15.6-inch touchscreen controlled by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip. Behind the steering wheel, there is also an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features. Additionally, there are two wireless charging ports for smartphones, and you can arrange the home screen according to your preferences. A 540-degree camera system combines multiple camera views to provide a better view of the vehicle’s surroundings, including directly under the chassis.
The appearance is just as recognizable. CHERY calls its design style “Square-Round Harmony,” which combines rounded shapes with sharp lines. In particular, the Q-shaped LED headlights, two-tone exterior mirrors, and optically floating C-pillars give the car its distinct look. The overall design appears friendly, without any overly futuristic gimmicks.
In China, the CHERY Q costs less than €10,000
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this newcomer is its price in China. There, the QQ3 starts at 69,800 yuan, which is approximately €8,750. The most expensive version costs around €11,280. These are prices at which you can hardly buy a new gasoline car in the Netherlands, let alone an electric one.
Naturally, this doesn’t mean the CHERY Q will become equally cheap here soon. Import duties, transportation costs, taxes, and adjustments to European regulations drive up the price significantly. A starting price in the Netherlands ranging from €20,000 to €25,000 doesn’t seem impossible to us, though it remains an estimate for now.
This puts the Q in competition with models like the BYD Dolphin Surf, which previously dropped below €21,000 during a discount campaign. Such competition makes pricing even more crucial. The CHERY Q offers plenty of space and decent equipment on paper, but its 310-kilometer range is by no means exceptional. If CHERY wants to convince buyers, the price will need to be competitive.
CHERY aims to establish a stronger presence
The Q is not stand-alone. CHERY is also presenting the Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8, and Tiggo 9 in Paris. Additionally, the Chinese company has several other brands it plans to use to target the European market. Earlier, CHERY also announced the arrival of iCar in the Netherlands.
The CHERY Q holds an interesting position within this expanding lineup. It combines the space of a larger hatchback with the advantages of a compact electric car. Yet two questions remain: what will it cost, and how fast can it charge? More details are expected at the Chery International User Summit, held from October 18 to 24 in China. If CHERY can set a competitive price, this electric hatchback could easily become an attractive newcomer.
Text by Marc Verweij