New Chery Arrizo 8 Is The Latest Toyota Camry Rival From China

Sedans might be losing ground in Europe and in North America, but they are still very popular with Chinese buyers. To meet the demand, Chery is getting ready to expand its sedan range with the new Arrizo 8, a competitor to the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Kia K5.

The name and size of the Arrizo 8 suggest it will slot above the smaller Arrizo 5 Plus and Arrizo 5 Pro sedans. The model was scheduled to be unveiled at the postponed Beijing Auto Show, but Chery has already published the first official photos of the car online.

The design is typical of a modern ICE-powered sedan with a large grille, full-width LED lighting units on both ends, chrome-infused details, and a sloping roofline. The rear end is somewhat reminiscent of the Toyota Camry but tries to stand out with a set of quad tailpipes. We don’t know whether the exhaust outlets are functional or just for show, but in the official renderings, there is also another trim of the car featuring dual tailpipes.

Inside, the Chery Arrizo 8 has a clean-looking dashboard following the latest trends. The free-standing digital cockpit has dual 12.3-inch screens, the climate vents are visually connected, the flat-bottom steering wheel has a two-tone look and the center tunnel is mounted high. The upholstery looks more premium than in older Chery models, combining leather, wood, and metal. The door card design looks awfully similar to that of the Lexus LC. We don’t have information about the ADAS equipment but the sedan could borrow some elements from Chery’s parts bin.

According to Car News China, the engine lineup will include a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 194 hp (145 kW / 197 PS) and 290 Nm (214 lb-ft) of torque, and a more potent turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 250 hp (187 kW / 254 PS) and 390 Nm (288 lb-ft) of torque. In both cases, power will be sent to the front axle through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The Chery Arrizo 8 is expected to reach Chinese dealerships in the third quarter of 2022. Prices have yet to be unveiled, but local media report it will likely start from ¥140,000 which translates to around $22,000.