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This new category looks at upcoming new models which, at the time of voting, we hadn\u2019t had the opportunity to test yet but which have wowed us with their designs.<\/p>\n
The Chery Stockman, as it\u2019s now known, beat out some tough competition, with the runners-up being the BMW iX3<\/a> and Honda Prelude<\/a> \u2013 two designs that certainly wowed us too.<\/p>\n No, the Stockman doesn\u2019t reinvent the wheel. We\u2019ve seen plenty of utes with flared wheel-arches, big grille lettering and boxy fenders, but it blends all these design elements so cohesively \u2013 and that front-end with its round headlights gives it a touch of retro flair.<\/p>\n In short, the Stockman is distinctive enough to get your attention without looking out of place at the job site, the boat ramp, or on the farm. In a market segment where there are some blatant copycats, dated designs, and some truly unfortunate-looking utes, the Stockman passes the pub test.<\/p>\n Then there\u2019s the interior. At some point, ute manufacturers \u2013 particularly the Chinese ones \u2013 realised the interiors of these vehicles didn\u2019t have to be so drab, especially considering utes have become popular family vehicles in our country.<\/p>\n Chery got the memo too, and there\u2019s a rather luxurious look to its interior. It was initially previewed to media with a tan interior, but Chery subsequently revealed a black cabin that\u2019s much more practical for owners that will track grime into the cabin.<\/p>\n Unlike so many Chinese vehicles in Australia, Chery has remembered physical switchgear is crucial \u2013 particularly in a vehicle being used for hauling and off-roading. To that end, there are plenty of actual buttons and knobs in the cabin.<\/p>\n It\u2019s still thoroughly modern and high-tech in appearance, however, with a pair of large screens. We also like the practical touches, like the huge grab handles on either end of the dashboard, and the clever storage shelf under the centre console \u2013 the latter a feature ubiquitous among SUVs today, but not as common in utes.<\/p>\n We\u2019re just talking about the design here. Mechanically, there\u2019s even more to be excited about, with the Stockman set to be the first diesel plug-in hybrid ute to arrive on our shores. A petrol plug-in hybrid, to take on a growing contingent of rival utes led by the BYD Shark 6, will follow.<\/p>\n The Stockman strikes us as a carefully considered new ute offering, developed by a brand that wants to get its first dual-cab ute in Australia right from the start. It certainly helps that it\u2019s one good-looking unit.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2027-chery-stockman-1.jpg\")
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