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You may not have heard of Chinese brand 212, but the off-road specialist has a military backstory just like Jeep’s – and Jeep-like styling that could be considered uncomfortably close.
Off-road vehicle specialist 212 – an Australia-bound brand born from the Beijing Automobile Works ‘BJ212’ military off-roader in China – has unveiled an updated version of its T01 SUV.
The 212 T01 is a five-door off-roader built on a ladder-frame chassis with more than a passing resemblance to other off-road vehicles, like the Jeep Wrangler and Ineos Grenadier – and which, while won't come to Australia, is likely to inform the models coming here.
Like the Wrangler, the T01 traces its history back to military vehicles produced by BAW, before evolving into passenger versions for civilian use. Not unlike the Mahindra Thar.
Unlike the Thar, however, BAW has been careful to give the 212 a unique front-end design, which could be enough to stop Jeep from launching objections to its familiar design, despite a near-identical look from the A-pillar back.
The 2026 212 T01 shown at the Beijing motor show arrives as an updated version of a model that debuted in 2024.
The restyle gives the rugged off-roader a new front end with a reprofiled bonnet, faux bonnet intake, and a new, wider front panel that incorporates the headlights and indicators.
The front and rear wheel arch extensions move away from Wrangler-mimicking black to body-coloured with an unpainted outer lip, while the front bumper gains a chunkier look, incorporating a faux nudge bar and underbody plate.
The revisions, along with the pale blue paint and white roof of the press images, provide a few visual differences to the similar Wrangler, but also move the 212 T01 closer to the styling of the Ineos Grenadier.
BAW’s show stand also included mono-coloured cars in different colours, toning down the Grenadier inspiration slightly.
The interior is little changed from the pre-update version, with a dash fascia that, again, draws on the Wrangler for inspiration, but with detail differences in the switchgear and vents.
A digital instrument cluster and large 12.3-inch infotainment display also carry over.
The 212 brand has confirmed its intention to launch in Australia.
Drive understands that the vehicles slated for export will differ from the T01 sold in China, which offers a ladder chassis, solid front and rear axles, coil springs, and a choice of turbocharged four-cylinder petrol or diesel power.
Just how different it ends up remains to be seen, but the 212’s off-road hardware is sure to be a major part of its appeal, particularly if it undercuts Wrangler, which currently starts from $81,990 plus on-road costs in three-door form.
While exact timing is yet to be announced, 212 expects to arrive in Australia sometime in 2027.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
