From Daily life to the Great Outdoors: HIMLA Brings Reliable Family Adventures Within Reach

Family leisure is becoming increasingly diverse, from desert drives and mountain camping to seaside picnics and weekend escapes. These trips often mean carrying tents, surfboards, cooking equipment and other bulky gear, while also dealing with intense heat, rough gravel roads, salty coastal air and steep sandy slopes. Many conventional vehicles struggle to balance family comfort with the demands of outdoor travel. Developed by CHERY for global markets, HIMLA brings the “For Family” value proposition into real family journeys. With dependable power, a durable body structure and practical features, this comfortable SUV-like pickup is designed to make family travel easier across both everyday and outdoor scenarios.

Reliable Power for Long-Distance Family Travel

Family road trips through hot deserts or tropical regions can place sustained demands on a vehicle. With ambient and surface temperatures rising sharply, a full cabin, a cargo bed loaded with camping equipment, soft sand and long climbs can all increase the strain on the powertrain. Under these conditions, stable thermal management and consistent power delivery become essential to keeping the journey moving smoothly.

HIMLA is available with a 2.3T diesel engine or a 2.4L petrol engine. Its large front grille and enhanced cooling design are intended to support stable engine operation during long-distance travel. The 2.3T diesel engine delivers peak torque of 420 N·m from 1,500 rpm, providing strong low-speed pulling power on loose sand and inclines. On versions equipped with the 2.3T diesel engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain is designed to provide smooth gear changes and consistent power delivery.

Built Tough for Mountains, Coasts and Everything in Between

Family journeys can take in very different environments—from gravel tracks in the mountains to wet coastal roads exposed to salt spray and mud. Over time, these conditions can increase the risk of corrosion, underbody damage and everyday wear, making long-term durability especially important for a family pickup expected to handle both work and leisure.

HIMLA uses a high-strength body-on-frame construction, with 52.2% high-strength steel and 48% galvanised steel panels. PVC anti-corrosion protection is applied to the chassis, while the cargo bed features a wear-resistant coating to help withstand stone chips, salt spray and repeated loading of outdoor equipment. The vehicle has undergone 20,000 km of real-road testing, 1,492 hours of corrosion-resistance durability testing and multiple rounds of dedicated engine testing, supporting dependable use across repeated mountain drives, coastal weekends and other demanding family journeys.

Versatile Capability for Everyday Life and Weekend Adventure

From carrying camping equipment and large outdoor supplies to exploring sand dunes and uneven mountain roads, HIMLA is designed to adapt as family needs change. With 220 mm of minimum ground clearance, a 33° approach angle and a 24° departure angle, it helps reduce the risk of underbody contact on rough terrain. Depending on market and configuration, an optional rear-axle differential lock can help improve traction when wheel slip occurs. The 1,276 L cargo bed offers 36 mounting points, a rated payload of 1 tonne and a towing capacity of 3 tonnes, providing space for tents, bicycles, surfboards and cooking gear, while also supporting trailer towing for longer family getaways.

HIMLA also moves beyond the traditionally utilitarian pickup cabin with features designed around everyday comfort. A 15.6-inch floating centre display and 360° panoramic view help make parking and low-speed manoeuvring easier on narrow roads or at unfamiliar campsites. LED headlamps provide an illumination range of up to 190 metres for greater visibility at night. In the rear, a comfortable backrest angle, extended seat cushions and supportive shaping around the waist and shoulders help reduce fatigue for children and older passengers on longer journeys. During the week, HIMLA can handle everyday family tasks; when the weekend arrives, it is ready to carry everyone into the outdoors.

From desert crossings and mountain roads to plateau views and campsite weekends, HIMLA combines dependable performance, durable construction and family-focused comfort in a pickup built for more than one role. It is not only a capable companion for longer journeys, but also a practical space for shared family experiences—bringing the reassurance and versatility families need to enjoy every trip with greater freedom and confidence.