I’ll admit, when Chery revived the Q nameplate, I did a double take. The last Q we knew here was a tiny city runabout that cost less than most motorcycles. The new one is a completely different animal: a full electric hatchback with rear-wheel drive, a 42.7-kWh battery, and 405 km of claimed range. At P1,120,000, it’s also Chery Philippines’ most serious swing at the EV market yet.

Chery QEV electric hatchback displayed at the 2026 Philippine International Motor Show
Image: Ethan Llamas via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Chery QEV made its local debut at PIMS 2026 back in June, and now the brand is pushing it hard — there’s an active showcase and test-drive program at SM Megamall as part of UAAGI On the Move 2026. That makes this a good moment to dig into what you actually get for your money.

Chery QEV specs at a glance

Known as the Chery Q in Indonesia and the QQ3 EV in China, the QEV is a B-segment hatchback that rides on a surprisingly long 2,700-mm wheelbase — that’s territory usually reserved for C- or D-segment sedans. The rear-mounted motor sends power to the rear wheels, which is still rare in this price class.

SpecChery QEV (PH)
Body5-door hatchback, 4,195 x 1,811 x 1,573 mm
Wheelbase2,700 mm
MotorRear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous, RWD
Power / torque120 hp (122 PS) / 115 Nm
Battery42.7 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP)
Range405 km NEDC (420 km CLTC)
DC fast chargeUp to 90 kW, 30–80% in ~16.5 min
V2LYes, up to 6.6 kW
SuspensionMacPherson strut front, three-link independent rear
BrakesVentilated discs front, discs rear, EPB with auto hold
Screens8.8-inch cluster + 15.6-inch Ultra HD (Snapdragon 8155)
ConnectivityWireless Apple CarPlay + Android Auto, 50W wireless charger
SeatsVentilated + heated front seats, 256-color ambient lighting
Cargo375 L (1,450 L folded) + 70 L frunk, 38 storage spaces
SafetyL2 ADAS, 540-degree camera, 6 airbags
Ground clearanceNot published at launch

What others are saying

Top Gear Philippines called it the “smart EV cruiser” at launch, highlighting the 30-to-80 percent charge in just over 16 minutes and the 405-km range figure. They also pointed out the party tricks: a 70-liter frunk, ventilated front seats, and a 540-degree around-view monitor — features you rarely see at this price point.

CarGuide.PH’s Ulysses Ang framed it as Chery bringing back the Q “but as a pure electric rear-wheel drive hatchback,” noting the wheelbase punches well above the car’s size class. His coverage confirmed the 120-hp motor, the 42.7-kWh LFP pack, and the 90-kW DC charging rate behind that 16.5-minute figure.

Internationally, CleanTechnica covered the Chery Q’s launch in Indonesia, where it goes for Rp239.9–259.9 million (about $13,300–$14,400). Their report emphasized the Q’s 82-percent high-strength-steel body, multi-link rear suspension, and the higher Q Rizz trim’s autonomous parking assist and 20 ADAS functions.

Price in PHP, USD, and INR

The QEV launched in a single variant at P1,120,000. For context, that converts to roughly $18,260 and about Rs 17.5 lakh at current rates (61.34 PHP/USD and 95.6 INR/USD as of mid-August 2026).

It’s worth noting the Philippines pays a premium over Indonesia, where the same car starts around $13,300. That’s the reality of our import and tax structure — and it’s why the QEV lands right in the middle of the local compact EV fight.

How it stacks up against the competition

ModelPriceRange
Wuling MacaronP663,000
BYD SeagullP898,000
Geely EX2P938,000–P1,038,000~395 km
Chery QEVP1,120,000405 km NEDC
VinFast VF 5P1,099,000
MG4 UrbanP1,198,888403 km NEDC

At P1.12 million, the QEV sits right between the budget micro-EVs and the proper compact EVs. It’s a bit more than the Geely EX2, but you get more range, rear-wheel drive, and that long wheelbase in return. If your budget is tighter, the Bestune Pony covers the basics at under half the price — though it’s a much smaller car with a fraction of the range.

Is the Chery QEV right for the Philippines?

City driving

This is where the QEV shines. The compact body slips through EDSA traffic and slots into tight Makati and BGC parking spots, and the 540-degree camera plus parking sensors make the tricky bits painless. Real-world city range should land somewhere around 300 km even with aircon running — more than a week of normal commuting on a single charge.

Long-distance travel

Manila to Baguio is roughly 250 km, so the QEV makes it on a full battery with a little margin — as long as you’re not driving at full tilt with the aircon on max. Plan a fast-charge stop anyway; the 16.5-minute 30-to-80 percent top-up adds roughly 100 to 150 km of real-world range, which turns a coffee break into a comfortable next leg. If your family trips need three rows of seats, the BYD Ti 7 PHEV is a very different answer to the same question.

Flooded streets

Here’s the honest part: Chery hasn’t published a ground clearance figure for the QEV, so treat it as a low-slung city car until proven otherwise. The LFP battery is thermally stable and there’s no engine to hydrolock, but that doesn’t mean you should wade into deep water. Stick to the wheel-center rule and avoid the flooded underpasses we all know too well.

High temperatures

LFP chemistry handles heat better than NMC packs, which is reassuring in our 36-to-38-degree summers. The ventilated front seats are a genuinely useful touch. Just remember range figures shrink when the aircon works hard — I’ve talked about why battery chemistry and thermal management matter so much in this climate.

The charger question

The PIMS display units showed a GBT charging plug, but Chery told CarGuide those weren’t the finalized specification. Most public fast chargers in the Philippines use CCS2 or Type 2, so confirm the exact charging standard with your dealer before you reserve — this is one detail worth getting in writing.

Bottom line

The Chery QEV is a well-rounded first full EV from Chery Philippines: proper rear-wheel drive, a range figure that beats most rivals at this price, and cabin features that punch above the P1.12-million tag. It’s aimed squarely at city commuters who want a real EV — not a glorified golf cart — without jumping to the two-million-peso bracket. Chery’s bigger electrified bets, like the Stockman diesel PHEV pickup, show where the brand is headed, but the QEV is the one you can actually buy and drive today.

If you’re in Metro Manila, go take one for a spin at the SM Megamall showcase. Bring your wallet-holding resolve — the QEV makes a convincing case.

Filed under Tech & Gadgets
Last Update: August 16, 2026 by Felix AlterEgo
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