Even China Wants a Bronco! Chery Admits Ford Bronco Inspired Its New Electric SUV

Even China Wants a Bronco! Chery Admits Ford Bronco Inspired Its New Electric SUV​

The Ford Bronco isn't just turning heads on American roads and trails anymore. It's influencing automakers halfway around the world — and this time, a Chinese manufacturer is openly admitting it.

Chinese automotive giant Chery has acknowledged that the legendary Ford Bronco played a significant role in inspiring its new lineup of electric SUVs under the iCaur brand.

And here's the interesting part: Chery didn't just look at the Bronco's rugged appearance. Company executives specifically admired the driving experience, commanding seating position, and elevated view that have helped make the Bronco such a recognizable vehicle.

For Bronco enthusiasts, that's quite a compliment.

Chery Wanted the Best of a Bronco and a Tesla​

According to reports from Ford Authority and Australia's CarExpert, Chery Automobile Vice President Dr. Su Jun explained that the company's iCaur vehicles were inspired by two very different vehicles: the Ford Bronco and the Tesla Model S.

The Tesla impressed him with its smooth, quiet electric driving experience. However, there was something missing.

The Tesla's low seating position simply didn't provide the commanding view he enjoyed in the Bronco.

Chery's solution?

Combine the elevated driving position of the Ford Bronco with the smooth, quiet performance of an electric vehicle.

Essentially, the company wanted the feeling of driving a Bronco with the driving characteristics of a Tesla.

That's a pretty interesting combination.

The Bronco's Influence Is Hard to Miss​

Take a look at Chery's iCaur SUV lineup, particularly the V23 and V25, and you'll notice several familiar design characteristics.

The vehicles feature upright body designs, squared-off profiles, prominent wheel arches, and rugged styling intended to communicate adventure.

The V23 even features round headlights and a boxy silhouette reminiscent of traditional off-road vehicles.

Sound familiar?

Of course, boxy SUVs existed long before the modern Bronco returned in 2021. The original Bronco helped establish that rugged American SUV image decades ago.

But what's different here is that Chery's own leadership has directly identified the Bronco as an inspiration.

This isn't simply automotive enthusiasts comparing two similar-looking vehicles.

It's an automaker acknowledging where part of its inspiration came from.

Meet the iCaur Electric SUV Family​

Chery's iCaur brand includes several rugged-looking electrified SUVs.

iCaur V23: A compact electric SUV with retro-inspired styling, round headlights, and a squared-off body.

iCaur V25: A midsize SUV featuring a boxy design and electric or range-extended electric powertrain options.

iCaur V27: A larger electrified SUV that continues the brand's upright, adventure-oriented design philosophy.

The V25 is expected to help introduce the iCaur brand to Australian buyers in early 2027.

Unlike the traditional Ford Bronco, which uses body-on-frame construction designed for serious off-road capability, the iCaur SUVs use unibody construction.

That distinction matters.

A vehicle can look like a rugged off-roader without necessarily delivering the same trail performance, articulation, durability, or off-road hardware.

The Bronco has built its modern reputation on more than appearance.

Is This Another Example of the Bronco Setting the Standard?​

For years, the Jeep Wrangler dominated discussions about traditional off-road SUVs.

Then Ford brought the Bronco back.

With removable doors, available front and rear locking differentials, aggressive tires, impressive suspension travel, and purpose-built off-road trims, the modern Bronco quickly established itself as a serious contender.

Now, manufacturers around the world are recognizing the appeal of that same upright, adventure-focused driving experience.

Chery's admission demonstrates that the Bronco's influence extends beyond American trails and highways.

Its elevated seating position and commanding view are qualities other manufacturers want to incorporate into their own vehicles.

And that raises an interesting question.

Has the Ford Bronco become one of the vehicles other automakers look toward when developing their next generation of adventure SUVs?

Chery's comments certainly suggest that it has become an important reference point.

Could These Chinese Bronco-Inspired SUVs Come to America?​

Don't expect to see an iCaur V23 or V25 at your neighborhood dealership anytime soon.

Chinese automakers face significant obstacles entering the United States, including import tariffs and restrictions involving connected vehicle technology.

However, Chery has expressed interest in partnerships with American automakers as it explores opportunities to expand into North America.

The company is also preparing to enter the Canadian market through its Omoda and Jaecoo brands.

Whether the iCaur lineup eventually reaches the United States remains uncertain.

For now, American Bronco owners can watch from a distance as another manufacturer attempts to capture some of the qualities that make the Bronco appealing.

Looking Like a Bronco Doesn't Make It a Bronco​

There's one important distinction worth remembering.

The Ford Bronco wasn't designed simply to look adventurous.

Its off-road capabilities are supported by available equipment such as locking differentials, specialized suspension systems, low-range four-wheel drive, and trail-focused technology.

The Bronco Badlands and Sasquatch-equipped models take that capability even further.

While electric SUVs can offer impressive torque and sophisticated all-wheel-drive systems, appearance alone doesn't establish that a vehicle can compete with a Bronco on challenging trails.

Until the iCaur models are tested under comparable conditions, any claims about matching the Bronco's off-road capabilities would be premature.

Still, Chery's decision to use the Bronco as inspiration says something important about Ford's influence.

Bronco Busting's Take: Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery​

There's something satisfying about seeing an international automaker openly acknowledge the Ford Bronco as a vehicle worth studying.

Chery could have pointed to any number of SUVs when describing its design philosophy.

Instead, one of the vehicles its leadership specifically highlighted was the Bronco.

That doesn't mean Chery copied every aspect of Ford's design, and it certainly doesn't mean its electric SUVs will perform like a Bronco off-road.

But it does reinforce something Bronco enthusiasts already understand.

The Ford Bronco is more than another SUV. It's a vehicle with a distinctive identity that other manufacturers recognize and admire.

From American highways to Australian markets and Chinese design studios, the Bronco's influence continues to grow.

And as more manufacturers introduce boxy, adventure-inspired vehicles, one thing is becoming increasingly clear.

Everybody seems to want a little Bronco in their SUV.

What do you think? Is Chery paying tribute to the Bronco, or are automakers running out of original ideas?

Join the conversation at BroncoBusting.com and tell us what you think.

We don't wave. We tip our hats!

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Sources:

Ford Authority — Chery Cites Ford Bronco As Inspiration For New Electric SUV
https://fordauthority.com/2026/11/chery-cites-ford-bronco-as-inspiration-for-new-electric-suv/

CarExpert — How the Ford Bronco and Tesla Model S Helped Shape Chery's iCaur
https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-ne...o-and-tesla-model-s-helped-shape-cherys-icaur