Geely Readies Defender Rival

Geely is preparing to launch a rugged-styled SUV whose design strongly echoes the Land Rover Defender. The model is scheduled to debut in the Chinese market before the end of the year and is also expected to target the European market. Previously, the SUV was revealed in concept form as the Galaxy Cruiser at last year’s Shanghai Auto Show. Now, a production prototype has begun light camouflage testing on the road. Citing Carscoops, on Wednesday 3 March 2026, the silhouette retains the boxy, adventure-SUV styling. The front and rear overhangs are short, the fenders flare, and the side-opening tailgate with the spare wheel mounted outside. This design is reminiscent of the Defender. Although official specifications have not been announced, several reports say the SUV will use Geely’s SEA-R platform, which is also used by Zeekr 9X and forms the basis for the hybrid variant of Lotus Eletre. The configuration is expected to feature a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine paired with three electric motors. A 70 kWh battery is said to provide a pure electric range of around 354 kilometres. However, another report from China suggested the possibility of a 1.5-litre hybrid system similar to the Geely Galaxy M9. The SUV is also said to be equipped with an AI-based all-wheel-drive system. In fact, in the concept version, the vehicle was claimed to be able to float for up to two hours and travel on water at speeds of around 8.5 km/h.