Another Chinese brand coming to Australia with another Defender-style SUV

Land Rover Defender-style SUVs are all the rage in China, and a brand that specialises in them has confirmed it plans to enter the Australian market.

Rox Motor, which describes itself as a “Chinese premium new-energy SUV brand”, is planning to enter the Australian market “around the end of this year or early next year” according to an email sent to CarExpert from a marketing agency representing the firm.

The company describes Australia as “strategically important market for Rox Motor”, a startup founded by Chinese entrepreneur Chang Jing which was previously known as Polestones.

The local model lineup hasn’t been confirmed, let alone pricing or specifications or how the brand’s vehicles will be sold.

Rox Motor sells just two models: the 01, plus a plusher version known as the Adamas. Both are large SUVs offered with extended-range electric (EREV) powertrains and either six- or seven-seat configurations.

Both also feature more car-like unibody (rather than ladder-frame) construction, like the current Defender.

The 01 was revealed in 2023 and was designed by Pininfarina. It measures 5295mm long, 1980mm wide and 1869mm tall on a 3010mm wheelbase, making it 100mm longer, 14mm narrower and 36mm lower than a Denza B8 on a 90mm longer wheelbase.

It features a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that serves only as a range-extender, with dual electric motors instead driving the wheels. Total system outputs are 350kW of power and 740Nm of torque.

The 01 uses a 56.01kWh ternary lithium battery, and offers 235km of electric range under the WLTC cycle, plus 1115km of combined range.

It features double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, with adaptive dampers.

Inside, there’s a 15.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 15.6-inch rear entertainment screen.

Luxury features include a heated steering wheel; heating, massage and power adjustment for the first- and second-row seats, plus ventilation for those up front; and a panoramic sunroof with a power sunshade.

The Adamas is incrementally longer, wider and lower but has an identical wheelbase, and features the same battery and powertrain albeit with slightly more combined range (1226km WLTC). It also features closed-chamber air suspension, offering up to 140mm of travel.

As expected, both the 01 and Adamas have a full range of active safety and driver-assist technology, including front cross-traffic alert, lane-centring, and semi-autonomous parking.

But the feature that got Rox Motor the most attention globally is found within the Adamas' centre console, which has a removable lid that allows it to be turned into an emergency toilet. This storage compartment is designed to be used with a specific plastic bag with deodorising and absorbent gel.

Rox Motor’s local launch had been expected after CarExpert unearthed more than a dozen local trademark filings lodged by Rox Motor in February 2026, including for Adamas and other model names.

The company has been venturing out of its Chinese home market, launching in various markets across the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa.

While Defender-inspired SUVs aren’t as common in Australia as in China, their ranks include the Denza B5 and the GWM Haval H7 due here before year’s end, with the Geely Battleship 700, iCaur V25 and Jetour T2 due next year.

In China, there are many more, including the BAIC Xingtan 5X and Hongqi G919, among others.

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