Geely challenges Land Rover Defender with new Galaxy Criuser

Geely is preparing to launch a brand new off-road model. It is called the Galaxy Cruiser and will be at the top of a future range of high-wheelers for all terrains

The new off-roader was unveiled, for the moment, still in camouflage mode and undergoing final tests at the Arctic Circle. The mega SUV is the production version of the concept car that was unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show 2025. While the prototype exhibited at the Chinese show had immediately shown a resemblance to the iconic Land Rover Defender due to its squared-off shapes and large wheel arches, the test images confirmed the first impressions. Moreover, another Chinese brand considered among the premium brands, Xpeng, has a similar model in its range.

The new Galaxy Cruiser, despite its camouflage, gives a glimpse of aesthetic solutions such as large front and rear headlights as well as reduced overhangs typical of today's off-road vehicles. In addition, there will be an unusual but specific off-road driving mode, the swimming mode, to be able to cross even small ponds at a speed of as much as 8.5 km/h. The premium SUV sector in China is growing fast and local manufacturers are gearing up to take advantage of competition that, as far as Europeans are concerned, is not the most insidious. Except, perhaps, for the Land Rover Defender which is, not surprisingly, taken as the benchmark in its sector.

In short, Geely is aiming high and, since it recently landed in Italia, is preparing to compete on equal terms with the brands of the Old Continent. The new Galaxy Cruiser will, in fact, be the model with which to compete with the European big names in the sector, both in terms of style, which is adventurous to say the least, and in terms of refined details such as the LIDAR sensor on the roof. Under the bonnet, on the other hand, the choice adopted will be a plug-in hybrid architecture, the most popular with premium models, which should provide a 1,500 cc combustion engine combined with three electric units for a power output of around 848 hp and a 41.5 kWh battery pack that promises a remarkable level of autonomy in electric mode.

Another distinguishing feature of the new Galaxy Cruiser will probably be Geely's G-Pilot H7 assisted driving system with over 30 sensors and Nvidia Drive Thor chips for 700 Tops. Finally, the new SUV will probably be based on Geely's most advanced platform, namely the GEA Evo, which is used by the brand's other luxury SUV, the Galaxy M9, which will provide cutting-edge technology such as four-wheel steering. At Geely, they are also exploring ideas for other futuristic off-road models. Further technical information or a future European launch timeframe will be announced at the Beijing Motor Show.