- Engine
- 812 cc
- Power
- 52 hp
- Transmission
- Manual
- Drive
- FWD
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Seats
- 5
CheryCarHatchbackQQ2003–2013
The car that motorised a generation of Chinese buyers — today, a charming and disposable city runabout, nothing more.
- 🇨🇳 China
- 🌎 Latin America
- 🇮🇷 Iran
- 🌍 Africa
- Engine
- 812 cc
- Power
- 52 hp
- Transmission
- Manual
- Drive
- FWD
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Seats
- 5
Overview
What this generation is, and who it suits.
The original QQ is one of the most significant cars in Chinese automotive history — the cheeky city microcar that put private car ownership within reach of millions of first-time buyers from 2003. Powered by tiny petrol engines around 0.8 to 1.1 litres, it became a phenomenon at home and one of China's first high-volume exports, reaching Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. It was also famously controversial for its close resemblance to a rival Korean-designed city car.
The 2003–2013 range covers that first-generation car. Two decades on, surviving QQs are cheap urban runabouts kept alive by simple mechanicals and inexpensive parts wherever the car sold in volume. Rust, tired suspensions and minimal safety equipment are the realities; charm and near-zero running costs are the compensations.
Pros & cons
What's good
- Historically important budget microcar
- Extremely cheap to buy, run and fix
- Simple mechanicals any small garage can service
What to watch
- Very poor crash protection by any modern measure
- Aged examples suffer rust and worn suspensions
- Motorway use is genuinely out of its depth
Owner reviews
Written by people who have lived with this model.
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Trims & specs
One card per trim, with the spec spread across every year it was sold.
Frequently asked questions
Is the QQ safe enough for daily use?
It predates modern crash standards and offers minimal protection compared with even a decade-newer small car. Sensible owners keep it to low-speed urban duties, where its size and visibility work in its favour.
Why is the QQ historically notable?
It was among the first Chinese cars to sell in huge volumes at home and abroad, and its resemblance to a Korean-designed rival microcar triggered one of the industry's most famous design disputes. Both facts made it a landmark in China's automotive rise.
Are parts still available?
In markets where the QQ sold widely, cheap aftermarket parts remain easy to find, and the simple engineering makes repairs inexpensive. In countries where only a handful arrived, sourcing anything beyond consumables takes patience.
