Freelander 8: Everything We Know So Far

The Freelander is returning, but not as you may remember it.

Revealed at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, the new Freelander 8 marks the first model from the new Freelander brand, created through a collaboration between JLR and Chery. Positioned as a premium SUV, it revives a familiar nameplate while taking the brand in a very different direction.

Here’s everything we know so far.

A new chapter for Freelander

The original Freelander was a well-known part of the Land Rover range, but this new model is something different.

Rather than returning as a Land Rover model, Freelander now becomes its own standalone brand focused on electrified vehicles, with the Freelander 8 leading the way. It is expected to be the first of several new SUVs due over the coming years.

While it carries a familiar name, this is a modern reinterpretation rather than a revival in the traditional sense.

Boxy design with Land Rover influences

The Freelander 8 adopts a bold, upright SUV shape with clear influences from modern Land Rover models, particularly the Defender.

Its bluff front end, squared-off proportions and distinctive lighting signatures give it a rugged appearance, while smaller details nod to earlier Freelander models. One example is the triangular rear quarter window, a subtle reference to the original three-door Freelander.

At over five metres long, the Freelander 8 is a substantial vehicle, sitting somewhere between the Defender 110 and Defender 130 in size.

A large three-row SUV

The Freelander 8 has been designed as a practical family SUV, with three rows of seating and room for up to seven occupants.

That places it in a growing segment of large SUVs aimed at buyers who need space but want an alternative to traditional combustion-powered seven-seaters.

While interior specifications have not yet been fully revealed, early previews point to a tech-heavy cabin with large digital displays and a premium feel.

Powertrain and performance

Full specifications have yet to be confirmed, but the Freelander 8 is expected to launch with a range-extender electric (REEV) powertrain.

This setup uses electric motors to drive the wheels, while a 2.0-litre petrol engine acts as a generator to help recharge the battery. Unlike a conventional hybrid, the engine is not expected to power the wheels directly.

This could give the Freelander 8 the benefits of electric-style driving with the reassurance of extended range for longer journeys.

The platform is also designed to support multiple powertrain types, including full electric models, suggesting additional versions may follow.

Charging and technology

The Freelander 8 will use CATL battery technology and support rapid charging at up to 350kW, which would place it among the faster-charging SUVs in its class.

Although final charging times have not been announced, this should enable quick top-ups at suitable ultra-rapid charging points.

Technology will also be a major focus, with advanced driver assistance systems, roof-mounted LiDAR on some versions, automated parking functions and what the brand describes as an intelligent all-terrain system.

Off-road features

Despite its electrified focus, the Freelander 8 is also being positioned as a capable all-terrain SUV.

Reported features include dual-chamber air suspension, a rear electronic limited-slip differential and multiple drive modes designed for different surfaces.

While it remains to be seen how it performs in real-world conditions, the emphasis on off-road technology suggests the Freelander’s adventurous roots have not been forgotten.

UK release date

Right-hand-drive versions of the Freelander 8 are being lined up for production, meaning there’s a good chance the SUV will make its way to the UK.

An exact launch date has not yet been announced, but development is already underway, and more details are expected over the coming months.

The Freelander 8 will be built in China as part of the Chery-JLR joint venture and sold through its own retailer network, rather than through traditional Land Rover dealerships.

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