The Chery Q is on sale in South Africa now, priced from R349 900 for the Comfort and R389 900 for the Elite. That makes it one of the cheapest new electric cars you can buy here. It uses a 42.7 kWh battery for a claimed 400 km NEDC range. Chery has not confirmed the warranty or service plan yet.
Last updated 2 September 2026
- Price
- R349 900 (Comfort) and R389 900 (Elite), as listed by Chery South Africa, September 2026.
- Battery
- 42.7 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack.
- Claimed range
- 400 km on the older NEDC cycle — expect meaningfully less in real driving.
- Motor
- 90 kW and 115 N.m, driving the rear wheels.
- DC fast charging
- 30% to 80% in about 16 minutes, per Chery.
- Warranty & service plan
- Not yet confirmed by Chery South Africa as of September 2026.
- Availability
- Launched August 2026. Dealer stock is still ramping up nationally.
Chery has sold petrol and hybrid Tiggo SUVs in South Africa for years. The Q is different: it is the brand's first fully electric car here, and it arrives at a price that undercuts almost every other new EV on the market. If you have around R350 000 to spend and you have been watching the fuel price, it is worth knowing exactly what that money does — and does not — buy.
How much does the Chery Q cost in South Africa?
R349 900 for the Comfort and R389 900 for the Elite, according to Chery South Africa's own Q page. Those are list prices. Licence registration, number plates, delivery and any dealer on-the-road fee are added on top, so budget a few thousand rand more than the sticker.
At that price the Q slots in below the R400 000 mark that most electric cars in South Africa sit well above. It is a small car — 4 195 mm long on a 2 700 mm wheelbase, five doors, five seats — aimed squarely at the school-run and commute buyer rather than the long-distance family.
What is the difference between the Comfort and the Elite?
The extra R40 000 for the Elite mainly buys a bigger screen and more driver-assistance kit. Chery has not published a full feature list per trim yet, so treat the table below as the confirmed basics, not the whole story.
| Q Comfort | Q Elite | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | R349 900 | R389 900 |
| Centre screen | 12-inch touchscreen | 15.6-inch touchscreen |
| Driver assistance | Core set | Adds further assistance features |
| Battery & motor | Same across both: 42.7 kWh, 90 kW / 115 N.m, rear-wheel drive | |
Full specification sheets were still thin at launch. Ask the dealer for the printed spec list for the exact trim you are looking at before you commit.
How far does the Chery Q actually go on a charge?
Chery's headline number is 400 km, but that is measured on the NEDC cycle — an old lab test that consistently produces optimistic figures. On the stricter WLTP standard, and in normal South African driving, expect noticeably less.
For a daily commute of 40–80 km that is a non-issue: you would charge once or twice a week. For regular highway trips between cities, a 42.7 kWh battery is tight, and you would be planning stops around chargers.
A 400 km NEDC claim is not a 400 km real-world range. If your buying decision depends on doing a specific long trip on one charge, get the WLTP figure in writing and, ideally, drive that route in a demo before you sign. This is the single most common regret with a budget EV.
How long does the Chery Q take to charge?
On a DC fast charger, Chery claims 30% to 80% in about 16 minutes, which is genuinely quick for this class. What Chery had not published at launch is the home AC charging time — the number most owners actually live with day to day.
As a rule of thumb, a battery this size from a standard home wallbox takes most of a working day or an overnight charge. If you can plug in at home, that suits the car well. If you would be relying on public chargers, factor their cost and availability into your sums before you buy.
What has Chery not confirmed yet?
Enough that it is worth waiting for the detail before you put down a deposit. As of early September 2026 the open questions were:
- Warranty term — no confirmed vehicle or battery warranty period for the Q.
- Service or maintenance plan — not announced, and EVs still need brake, tyre and coolant servicing.
- Home AC charging spec — onboard charger rating and cable inclusions not published.
- Full equipment list — what each of the two trims actually includes.
- On-the-road pricing — the all-in figure once licensing and fees are added.
The warranty matters most. On any new brand, a strong transferable warranty is a big part of what protects resale value — the same argument we make in our piece on whether Chery cars are reliable. Until Chery states the Q's terms, that protection is an unknown.
Should you wait for the Chery Q, or buy now?
Picture the position a lot of buyers are in right now: about R350 000 to spend, a close eye on the petrol price, and a new badge that undercuts nearly every other EV in the country. Tempting — but the answer comes down to two practical questions.
Can you charge at home, and do you mostly drive locally? If yes, the Q is worth a test drive as soon as demo units are in. If you do long highway trips often, or you cannot install a charger where you park, an efficient petrol car or a hybrid will still be less hassle.
| If you... | The Chery Q is... |
|---|---|
| Commute 40–80 km a day and charge at home | A strong option once warranty terms are confirmed |
| Regularly drive between cities | Marginal — the battery is small for that |
| Cannot charge where you park | Probably not yet — look at petrol or hybrid |
| Want an EV now with a bigger battery | Worth comparing against cars like the iCaur V23 |
For reference, on our own floor the petrol Chery Tiggo Cross LiT starts at R279 900 and the electric iCaur V23 from R519 900 with a larger battery — useful bookends when you are working out where the Q's R349 900 really sits.
Can you buy a Chery Q through Tembani Sales?
Not right now — we do not hold Chery Q stock. We are an independent used and new-brand dealer in South Kensington, Johannesburg, and the Q is sold through Chery's franchise network.
What we can do is help with the parts of the decision that do not change: a finance pre-check so you know your real monthly number before you shop, and a free valuation of your current car whether you buy the Q or something we sell. We also stock other Chery models and the iCaur V23 EV — see the current floor.
The short version
- Price: R349 900 Comfort, R389 900 Elite, per Chery SA, September 2026.
- Battery & range: 42.7 kWh, 400 km claimed on NEDC — real-world is lower.
- Charging: DC 30–80% in about 16 minutes; home AC time not yet published.
- Still open: warranty, service plan, full spec, on-the-road pricing.
- Best fit: home charging plus a local commute. Long-distance drivers should think twice.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chery Q available in South Africa now?
Yes. Chery South Africa launched the Q in August 2026 and lists it from R349 900. Individual dealer stock is still filling in, so phone ahead before driving out to see one in the metal.
How much is the Chery Q in South Africa?
R349 900 for the Comfort and R389 900 for the Elite, per Chery South Africa's website in September 2026. Those are list prices — licensing, delivery and any dealer on-the-road fees are added on top.
What is the range of the Chery Q?
Chery quotes 400 km, but on the old NEDC test cycle, which flatters the figure. Plan around a real-world number comfortably under that, especially on the highway or with the aircon running. For town commuting it is more than enough.
Does the Chery Q come with a warranty and service plan?
As of September 2026 Chery South Africa had not published the Q's warranty or service-plan terms. Get both in writing from the selling dealer before you sign anything — on a budget EV the warranty is a big part of the running-cost and resale picture.
How long does the Chery Q take to charge?
On a DC fast charger Chery claims 30% to 80% in about 16 minutes. Home AC charging times were not published at launch; expect several hours from a normal home wallbox, which is normal for a battery this size.
Is the Chery Q the cheapest electric car in South Africa?
At R349 900 it is among the two or three cheapest new EVs on sale in South Africa in 2026. Whether it is the best value depends on the warranty, service-plan and running-cost detail Chery still has to confirm.
Can I trade my current car in against a Chery Q?
Not through Tembani Sales for the Q specifically — we do not hold Chery Q stock. We will still value your car for free and arrange finance whatever you end up buying, including the Chery and iCaur models we do sell.
Is the Chery Q the same as the Chery Tiggo Q?
Yes. Early reports called it the Tiggo Q; Chery South Africa sells it simply as the Q. It is Chery's first fully electric model in South Africa, separate from the petrol and hybrid Tiggo SUVs.
Working out your budget for an EV?
Get your real monthly finance figure and a free valuation on your current car first — then shop with actual numbers, whichever way you go.
Prices and specifications above are as published by Chery South Africa and reported by CAR magazine, checked on 2 September 2026. New-model details change — confirm the current price, warranty and specification with a Chery dealer before you buy.