2026 Changan Hunter K50 PHEV Pickup Launches From RMB 141,900 With Upgraded Range and Battery

At the 2026 Chongqing Auto Show on June 13, Changan officially launched the 2026 Changan Hunter K50 plug-in hybrid pickup, with 10 trims spanning RMB 141,900 to RMB 178,900 (USD 19,600–USD 24,700). As a model-year refresh, the 2026 K50 focuses on three areas: extended electric range, larger battery capacity options, and a stronger combined system output. The Hunter K50 nameplate has become Changan’s most successful pickup product ever, and the 2026 update sharpens its positioning against the GWM Cannon Hi4-T (also launched today — see our GWM Cannon Hi4-T pickup launch report) and BYD Shark 6.

For international audiences, the K50 matters because Changan plans to begin right-hand-drive exports of the Hunter platform to Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, and South Africa in late 2027, where it will compete on price-per-feature with Toyota Hilux PHEV, Ford Ranger PHEV, and the GWM Cannon Hi4-T. China’s PHEV pickup category has grown 47% YTD through May 2026 — a trend captured in our May 2026 China top 10 best-selling cars analysis.

What’s New in the 2026 K50

• Battery options: 31.7 kWh standard / 40.6 kWh long-range — both LFP, supplied by SVOLT/CATL. The 40.6 kWh pack is new for 2026 (previously max 31.7 kWh).
• Pure-electric CLTC range: 180 km (standard) / 240 km (long-range)
• Combined CLTC range: 1,008 km (long-range battery + 75 L tank)
• System output: 380 kW combined / 850 N·m (up from 360 kW / 800 N·m on prior MY)
• Powertrain: 1.5T petrol range-extender + 9DCT-Hybrid + dual-motor PHEV (eAxle)
• 0–100 km/h: 6.8 s (long-range)
• Wading depth: 800 mm
• Towing rating: 3,500 kg (braked)

10 Trims Across Two Body Styles

The 10-trim lineup is split between two cabin/bed configurations: dual-cab (most popular, 8 trims) and crew-cab (2 trims). Trim hierarchy from base to top: Adventurer → Wanderer → Pioneer → Trailblazer → Frontier → Frontier-X → Apex → Apex-Pro → Apex-Pro Black → Apex-Pro King.

Trim Tier	Price Range (RMB)	USD Equivalent
Entry (Adventurer / Wanderer)	141,900–149,900	USD 19,600–20,700
Mid (Pioneer / Trailblazer / Frontier)	153,900–164,900	USD 21,200–22,700
High (Frontier-X / Apex / Apex-Pro)	167,900–174,900	USD 23,200–24,100
Top (Apex-Pro Black / Apex-Pro King)	176,900–178,900	USD 24,400–24,700

K50 vs GWM Cannon Hi4-T: Two Different Approaches

Despite both arriving on June 13, the K50 and Cannon Hi4-T target slightly different buyer segments:

• K50 = lifestyle-friendly daily-use PHEV pickup with crossover-comfortable handling; longer EV range (240 km) suits city commutes; lower starting price (RMB 141,900 vs Cannon Hi4-T’s RMB 149,800).
• Cannon Hi4-T = body-on-frame heavy-duty + lifestyle adventurer with tank-turn capability and locking diffs; more aggressive off-road envelope; higher peak system output (408 kW).

The K50 also offers a notable cabin advantage: a 15.6-inch infotainment screen as standard from mid-trims up, dual wireless phone chargers, and a flat-floor 1.8 m sleeping space when rear seats fold. For the lifestyle adventure buyer, K50 is the friendlier daily; for the working pickup buyer or off-road specialist, Cannon Hi4-T wins.

ADAS and Connectivity

The 2026 K50 brings standard L2 driver-assistance to all trims (front camera + 5 mmWave radar). Mid-trims and above add Changan’s CD-Pilot ADAS package: highway NOA, automated lane change, and adaptive cruise to standstill. The top Apex-Pro King trim adds memory parking and a 540° underbody/around-view camera.

Cabin Tech

• 15.6-inch center screen with Lingxi Cockpit OS
• 10.25-inch driver display (mid-trim and up)
• Smart 4G/5G connectivity standard; Apple CarPlay 3.0 + Android Auto
• K-Truck V2L outlet at 6.6 kW (220V) — dual outlets in the bed
• 4 USB-C + 2 wireless chargers

Production and Markets

2026 K50 production runs at Changan’s Hefei pickup plant at ~14,000 units/month. The previous K50 (2025 MY) accumulated 138,000+ deliveries from launch through May 2026, making it the second-best-selling PHEV pickup in China behind the BYD Shark 6 (which only began deliveries in March 2026).

Export Roadmap

Changan confirmed at Chongqing 2026 that the Hunter K50 will export to Australia, Thailand, Philippines, South Africa, and Mexico starting Q4 2027 — the first batch will be left-hand-drive (Mexico and Thailand) followed by right-hand-drive (Australia, South Africa) in early 2028.

FAQ

What is the price of the 2026 Changan Hunter K50?

The 2026 Hunter K50 launched on June 13, 2026 with prices spanning RMB 141,900 to RMB 178,900 (USD 19,600–USD 24,700) across 10 trims.

What is the EV-only and combined range of the 2026 Hunter K50?

180 km / 240 km pure-electric (CLTC) on standard / long-range battery, and approximately 1,008 km combined (CLTC) on the long-range 40.6 kWh battery + 75 L petrol tank.

How does the 2026 Hunter K50 compare with the GWM Cannon Hi4-T?

K50 is more lifestyle/daily-use oriented (longer 240 km EV range, lower entry price RMB 141,900); Cannon Hi4-T is more rugged/heavy-duty (locking diffs, tank-turn, higher 408 kW peak output, 1,081 km combined range).

When will the Hunter K50 export to Australia or Thailand?

Q4 2027 export start: Mexico and Thailand first (left-hand-drive), Australia and South Africa following in early 2028 (right-hand-drive).

Editor’s note: The 2026 K50 update significantly raises the EV range and battery options, putting it closer to “EV-first / range-extender backup” usage rather than traditional PHEV. International readers in pickup markets should treat the K50’s RMB 141,900 (USD 19,600) entry price as the strongest signal yet that Chinese PHEV pickups will compress global mid-size pickup pricing once exports scale in 2027–2028.

Reviewed by Han Liu, Editor, iEVChina

Source: Autohome.com.cn