From Coast to Mountains: HIMLA Brings Outdoor Living to Every Summer Journey

As outdoor activities gain momentum over the summer, owners increasingly expect their vehicles to go beyond transport and support the complete outdoor experience.From family camping and coastal escapes to mountain exploration, journeys often involve carrying tents, awnings, tables and chairs, cool boxes and water-sports gear. These varied settings place greater demands on load capacity, performance and ride comfort. Vehicles that combine practical utility, adaptability across different environments and passenger comfort are therefore becoming an important choice for increasingly diverse lifestyles.

Developed by CHERY for global markets, HIMLA is a next-generation flagship compact pickup built around four core strengths: greater load capacity, stronger performance, enhanced durability and greater comfort. Together, these qualities improve its overall capability for transporting equipment, travelling long distances, spending time at the campsite and exploring the outdoors, providing owners worldwide with a versatile mobility solution for work, family life and outdoor pursuits.

Carry More, Do More | A High-Capacity Load Bed Expands Outdoor Living

A rewarding outdoor experience begins with the ability to transport equipment efficiently and flexibly. From camping tables, chairs, tents and awnings to cool boxes, surfboards, bicycles and changes of clothing, a broad range of outdoor gear places greater demands on a vehicle's load-carrying capability. HIMLA features a load bed with a capacity of 1,276 litres and dimensions of 1,530 × 1,620 × 515 mm, providing generous space for family camping, road trips, outdoor sports and other equipment-intensive activities.

For camping trips, the 36 anchor points in the load bed can be used to organise and secure tents, folding tables and chairs, cool boxes and other equipment. They also provide a foundation for additions such as a side awning, toolbox or outdoor kitchen worktop. On coastal trips, surfboards, an awning and changes of clothing can be stored in separate areas, helping prevent items from shifting or colliding during the journey. At the destination, the load bed can shift from equipment carrier to a central hub for retrieving and organising gear, as well as supporting outdoor activities, creating a natural connection between loading, travel and time at the campsite.

Go Further | Capability for Challenging Terrain, Comfort for Long Journeys

A wider range of outdoor destinations calls for a vehicle that combines performance, all-terrain capability and long-distance comfort. From city streets and coastal roads to mountain campsites and unpaved tracks, steady, dependable power is essential for exploring more environments.

The 2.3T diesel 8AT version of HIMLA is equipped with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and delivers peak torque of 420 N·m,supporting motorway cruising, full-load transport and steep gradients. A rear differential lock is available as an option on selected four-wheel-drive variants, further improving capability on challenging terrain and providing dependable support across a broad range of outdoor activities.

Reaching a coastal campsite or mountain retreat can mean several hours on the motorway, with junctions, gradients and access routes to navigate along the way. Selected HIMLA variants feature a 15.6-inch floating centre display and a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster, making it easier to view navigation and driving information at a glance. In the rear, a 26-degree seatback angle and a seat cushion nearly 500 mm long provide fuller support for the back and thighs, helping family members maintain a more relaxed posture on longer journeys. Even with the load bed filled with equipment, passengers can travel comfortably in a separate, spacious cabin. Together, these features enhance ride comfort across a wide range of journeys.

One Vehicle, Supporting Every Stage of the Outdoor Journey

As outdoor travel becomes a way of life, the role of the vehicle is expanding from a simple means of transport to an important platform supporting the full experience, spanning departure, equipment transport, arrival and time spent at the destination. For owners, a capable vehicle should not only meet the demands of different journeys but also continue to support the outdoor experience once the drive is over.

HIMLA does more than carry people and equipment to their destination. It creates a natural connection between loading, driving and spending time outdoors. When the side awning is extended and tables and chairs are set out in the sea breeze, the load bed moves beyond its role as cargo space and becomes the starting point for outdoor life, opening up more possibilities for camping, taking in the scenery and coastal leisure.