The legendary Land Rover Freelander will make a dramatic comeback in 2026 as the Trailblaze, a state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid SUV, after more than a decade away. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), which is reviving the Freelander nameplate through a daring joint venture with Chinese automotive giant Chery, is making a significant strategic move with this next-generation model. The objective is to create an SUV brand that is more electric, accessible, and globally viable for a new generation of drivers.
Trailblaze: The First of a New Breed
The Trailblaze, a sporty SUV with a coupe-like design that blends sustainability, performance, and flair, will be the first car to be sold under the resurrected Freelander name. The 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine and three electric motors in the Trailblaze’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, which is based on Chery’s adaptable T1X platform, will produce a total of 443 horsepower. This gives it a class-leading 93 miles (150 km) of electric-only range and enables it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds.
Designed for the Electrified Era
Traditional Land Rover appearance will be visually altered by the Freelander Trailblaze’s design. The SUV will have coupe-like lines, robust off-road dimensions, and a tech-forward cockpit full of connected capabilities, drawing inspiration from both luxury and adventure cars. It will retain the DNA of the original Freelander—pragmatic, powerful, and designed for real-world adventure—but without the Land Rover label.
Positioning the Freelander Brand
The Freelander brand will target younger, urban consumers looking for electrified mobility without compromising performance or design, in contrast to luxury nameplates like Range Rover or Defender. Freelander will be able to focus on new markets by delivering PHEVs and eventually full EVs with a variety of body styles, all of which will share a flexible architecture and a striking brand identity, thanks to its separation from the JLR luxury lineup.
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