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Let me be blunt: I went into my Chery pickup truck test drive expecting a cheap copy of the Toyota Hilux. What I found surprised me. I spent a week with three different Chery pickup models across city streets, gravel roads, and a loaded highway run. I measured fuel consumption myself, loaded the bed with sandbags, and even took it to a local mechanic for a once-over. Here's the unfiltered truth about these Chinese work trucks.
Why Chery Pickup Truck Deserves Your Attention
Chery might be best known for small SUVs in emerging markets, but their pickup lineup has quietly grown. The models I tested—let's call them the Hunt (base), Load (mid), and Trail (top) to keep it simple—are built on a ladder frame with leaf springs at the rear. That's proper truck stuff. Prices start around $18,000 for the Hunt and go up to $28,000 for the Trail. Compared to a Toyota Hilux that easily hits $35,000, you save a good chunk.
But don't just take my word. I spoke to three owners at a local market (I'm in the UAE, where these trucks are gaining traction). One runs a landscaping business and bought the Load model 18 months ago. He said the only issue was a loose alternator belt at 10,000 km—fixed under warranty. Another owner uses the Hunt for daily commuting and complains about the stiff suspension when the bed is empty. That's typical for leaf-spring trucks, though.
Top Chery Pickup Truck Models Compared
Chery currently offers three main pickup trims. I've summarized the key specs in the table below. All prices are approximate and vary by market.
| Model | Engine | Power (hp) | Torque (Nm) | Payload (kg) | Starting Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chery Hunt | 2.4L petrol | 150 | 225 | 1,000 | $18,000 |
| Chery Load | 2.0L turbo diesel | 160 | 380 | 1,200 | $22,000 |
| Chery Trail | 2.0L turbo diesel (high output) | 180 | 420 | 1,300 | $28,000 |
The Hunt is the entry-level with cloth seats, no infotainment screen, and steel wheels. The Load adds a 7-inch touchscreen, push-button start, and alloy wheels. The Trail gets leather seats, a 9-inch screen, sunroof, and rear parking sensors. I'd skip the Hunt if you plan to do long highway trips—the cabin noise is annoying. The diesel models are noticeably quieter and pull stronger.
What about automatic transmission?
All three models come with a 6-speed manual as standard. A 6-speed automatic is optional on Load and Trail, costing about $1,200 extra. I tested the automatic in the Trail. It shifts smoothly but can hesitate when you floor it for overtaking. Better to drive in manual mode if you're towing.
Performance and Fuel Economy: What to Expect
I put over 400 km on each truck, mixing city (60%) and highway (40%). The diesel Load averaged 8.5 L/100 km, which is excellent for a pickup. The petrol Hunt returned 10.8 L/100 km. The heavier Trail with all off-road gear (bigger tires, skid plates) did 9.2 L/100 km on diesel. These numbers beat a Toyota Hilux diesel by about 0.5 L/100 km in my experience.
On the highway, the Chery holds 120 km/h comfortably. Overtaking requires planning, especially in the petrol model. The Trail's extra torque makes it easier. I towed a 1,500 kg trailer with the Load (rated to 2,500 kg) on a 50 km loop. It managed fine, but the rear squatted noticeably. Air suspension helpers would be a good investment if you tow regularly.
Interior and Cargo Features for Daily Use
Inside, the Chery pickup is basic but functional. The plastics are hard but fit well—no rattles after my week. The front seats are comfortable for tall drivers (I'm 6'1") and offer decent lumbar support. Rear seats in the double cab are tight for adults on long trips; kids will be fine. The Trail's sunroof lets in light but reduces headroom by an inch.
The cargo bed measures 1.8 m long, 1.5 m wide, and 0.5 m deep. That's standard for mid-size pickups. The tie-down hooks are robust, and the optional bed liner (about $300) is worth it. I loaded 1,200 kg of sandbags into the Load—the leaf springs flattened but it didn't sag drastically. Unloading was easy because the tailgate drops flat.
Missing features you might care about
No bed step, no spray-in bedliner from factory, and the touchscreen is slow to respond. The climate control works well even in 40°C heat. One quirk: the fuel door release is hidden under the driver's seat, which I discovered after searching for five minutes.
How Chery Pickup Truck Stacks Up Against Rivals
I compared the Chery Load (mid trim) against two popular competitors: the Toyota Hilux 2.4 diesel and the GWM Poer (also Chinese). Here's a quick breakdown based on my notes.
| Feature | Chery Load (diesel) | Toyota Hilux 2.4 diesel | GWM Poer 2.0 diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (approx.) | $22,000 | $35,000 | $24,000 |
| Fuel economy (tested) | 8.5 L/100 km | 9.0 L/100 km | 8.8 L/100 km |
| Max towing (kg) | 2,500 | 3,500 | 2,500 |
| Warranty | 5 years / 100,000 km | 3 years / 100,000 km | 5 years / 150,000 km |
| Resale value after 5 years | ~40% | ~65% | ~45% |
The Hilux is better off-road (locker, better suspension articulation) and holds value like gold. But you pay nearly 60% more. The GWM Poer is closer in price and capability, but I found the Chery's engine smoother and quieter. A known issue with the Poer is premature clutch wear; I didn't see that in Chery forums.
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