The Chery QQ3 electric hatch is going on sale in China this month ahead of a potential launch in Australia by early 2027.
The BYD Dolphin rival debuted at last year’s Chengdu motor show, and a camouflaged version of the new QQ3 was recently shown to Australian media alongside another disguised vehicle, the large Fulwin A9L sedan.
Both vehicles have been in Australia completing hot-weather testing.
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While the QQ3 and A9L have yet to be officially confirmed for a local launch, Chery Australia told CarExpert in November 2025 it was focusing on three new models for Australia: a dual-cab ute, a mid-size sedan, and a small hatchback.
While the dual-cab ute has subsequently been announced as the KP31, the yet-to-be-confirmed small hatch may be the QQ3.
The new hatchback is the latest vehicle under the QQ sub-brand. This name was first used on the 2003 Chery QQ that closely resembled the Daewoo Matiz, with the QQ name also applied to vehicles like the QQ Ice Cream electric microcar.
According to CarNewsChina, the QQ3 is anticipated to start from ¥70,000 ($A14,317) in China, undercutting the Dolphin’s ¥99,800 ($A20,414) entry price there.
In Australia, the Dolphin starts at $29,990 before on-road costs, with the rival MG 4 priced here from $37,990 before on-road costs.
The QQ3 will also be a competitor to the GWM Ora and the Geely EX2 electric hatch – the latter was the best-selling new car in China last year, and is scheduled to arrive here in the second half of 2026.
Measuring 4195mm long, 1811mm wide and 1569mm tall, and sitting on a 2700mm wheelbase, the QQ3 uses a purpose-built electric ‘T12’ platform and runs a single-motor rear-wheel-drive layout.
The entry-level model uses a 58kW motor with a 29.5kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, with a larger 41.3kWh battery and 90kW motor also available.
Claimed driving range on a single charge under the CLTC cycle is between 310–420km – not quite as far as the Dolphin’s best of 427km (WLTP), but similar to the EX2’s best of 410km (CLTC).
Inside, the QQ3 features a 15.6-inch touchscreen, powered by a Snapdragon 8155 chip, with an artificial intelligence (AI) voice assistant. There’s also a digital instrument cluster and physical buttons on the dash.
This follows Chinese regulations mandating physical buttons for key features – instead of touchscreen commands – in new cars sold from July 1, 2026.
Chery has said its upcoming local models will include a range of different powertrain types, with the KP31 using a diesel plug-in hybrid, and range-extender and battery-electric models such as the QQ3 also in the mix.
The automaker said there are more development gains to be made for internal combustion engines, with local tuning a key factor for Australian showroom models.
