2024 Changan Hunter EREV is one badass hybrid pickup truck

Changan Hunter EREV is an electric pickup with a range extender under the hood

Mention Changan and most likely people will think of crossovers like the CS35 Plus, CS55 Plus, the X7 Plus, the UNI-T, and the flagship UNI-K. The brand also offers a budget sedan in the form of the Alsvin. But did you know that Changan also makes pickup trucks?

While it may seem they only make traditional pickup trucks powered by internal combustion engines (ICEs), the brand recently revealed its latest workhorse, and it's a hybrid.

Say hello to the 2024 Changan Hunter EREV (Extended Range EV), and underneath its aggressive exterior lies a hybrid powertrain that allows the pickup to accelerate like an EV. That's because just like the Nissan Kicks e-Power, the Changan Hunter is a series hybrid vehicle. That's right, it has electric motors that drive the wheels while the engine under the hood is there to serve as a generator (AKA range extender).

Depending on the variant, the Hunter can come with a single rear electric motor or a dual-motor system that delivers all-wheel drive capability. The single-motor version already produces a very capable 177 PS with 320 Nm of torque while the AWD dual-motor variant sees the pickup come with 258 PS and 447 Nm of pull.

With a fully-charged 31.18 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, Changan claims the pickup can travel up to 180 km. But thanks to a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine under the hood, the Hunter EREV can actually travel up to 1,031 km as claimed by the automaker. The engine itself makes an impressive 190 PS with 340 Nm of torque. While it doesn't exactly power the pickup truck directly, the turbocharged engine will surely help in recharging the battery as quickly as possible while you're on the road.

Style-wise, the Changan Hunter EREV looks something straight out of Cyberpunk with its imposing front end, aggressive LED headlights, distinct grille, and stylish alloy wheels. And despite being an electrified vehicle, the Hunter EREV can go off the beaten path. In terms of size, the Hunter EREV measures 5380mm long, 1930mm wide, 1885mm tall, and has a 3180mm wheelbase. There's even a longer version of the pickup that's 5630mm long and has a 3430mm wheelbase.

It has a maximum payload capacity of 495 kg which is acceptable although it does come with a 3.3 kW electrical outlet in the back. This can power small appliances or charge up gadgets while you're in the great outdoors. The bed of the pickup also comes with a bedliner as standard to prevent any cargo from damaging the bed itself.

Despite its utilitarian roots, the Hunter EREV packs a high-tech dashboard that consists of a 7.5-inch instrument panel and a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It's also available with a 40W wireless charging pad, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, satellite navigation, intelligent voice control, over-the-air updates, and more.

While it may not have the best payload capacity, the Changan Hunter EREV serves as a unique way of bringing hybrid technology to the pickup truck segment. More importantly, it's set to deliver EV-like performance without the dreaded range anxiety that's associated with most electric vehicles.