Look out Suzuki Jimny! China’s iCar V23 is a cheap, capable, electric off-roader and it’s headed to Australia
Chery’s rough and ready iCar 4×4 electric brand has been locked-in for an Australian debut.
It will arrive here following a launch in the right-hand drive UK market in 2026, with the first two models targeting traditional combustion-powered 4x4s such as the Suzuki Jimny and Jeep Wrangler.
Later on, iCar will even hatch a compact 4×4 ute, says Autocar, which also revealed the Chery-owned car-maker will be forced to rename itself ‘iCaur’ because Apple owns the trademark for iCar.
READ MORE: Chery Himla has joined the electrified ute battle! Weird name, but Chery is promising competitive capability and hybrid powertrain
READ MORE: Chery Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 to get plugged in as demand for PHEVs grows in Australia
READ MORE: Omoda, Jaecoo the latest new Chinese brands to take on BYD, GWM, Deepal, Zeekr, Leapmotor and XPeng
Only established in 2023, it’s been confirmed iCar will launch here with the iCar V23, a small electric off-roader priced from around $20,000 in China.
The latest, smallest and arguably boldest member of Chery’s iCar EV family, its design is clearly inspired by the Suzuki Jimny and Jeep Wrangler.
Available in China, the V23 gets a 100kW/180Nm single-motor version paired with a 47kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery that provides for a 300km range.
There’s also a more expensive flagship dual-motor version that kicks out 155kW and gets a larger 81kWh (NMC) power pack to cover up to 500km on a charge.
However, bear in mind both cruising range figures were based on the lenient Chinese CLTC test cycle, so WLTP ratings will be lower when they come to Australia.
The boxy four-seat electric SUV packs plenty of high-tech hardware beneath its retro styling, including a 15.4-inch touchscreen powered by a Snapdragon 8155 chip, advanced driver-assist systems and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality.
Measuring up at 4220mm long, 1915mm wide and 1845mm tall on a 2730mm wheelbase – the first iCar shares a footprint with the current Jeep Wrangler.
As its looks suggest, the V23 boasts proper off-road capability, with 43-degree approach and 41-degree departure angles and 212mm ground clearance in AWD form.
Catering for the Australian market, iCar has also shown off a small dual-cab ute concept version of the V23, complete with lift kit, all-terrain tyres and countless off-road accessories including LED spot lights.
In China the iCar V23 costs just 99,800 yuan, which is roughly $20,000 our money and post its reveal Chery claims it had received an incredible 30,000 pre-orders, just hours after unwrapping it.
At this stage in the game, it’s not clear which powertrains will be offered with iCar vehicles in Australia.
As well as all-electric power the 4×4 brand will also employ both range-extender hybrids and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
In the UK the V23 small 4×4 will be accompanied by a larger V25 SUV – already previewed by a concept of the same name – that is tipped to come powered with a range-extender hybrid that should blend dual e-motors with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder combustion engine to produce big power numbers and a much longer range.
It’s likely the range-extender hybrid will be the powertrain that spearheads the brand’s models that launch in Australia.
Instead of retro looks the X25 SUV is far boxier and futuristic and is said to incorporate an interior that offers the space and functionality of a people mover.
Later on a flagship Range Rover-rivalling V29 will arrive and help introduce the brand’s next-generation EV tech and push iCar more upmarket, with levels of luxury to match Europe and Japan’s finest.
iCar will join Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo in Australia as the Chinese car-making giant aims to grow its reach and capitalise on its strong sales with the core brand Chery.
Chery in Australia is enjoying impressive sales shifting 6057 cars in the first three months of this year – a 216 per cent boost in sales over the same period last year.
At the recent Shanghai motor show iCar announced it would expand to more than 100 countries in just three years and open an incredible 2000 showrooms to sell its expanding product portfolio.
As well as rugged 4x4s the latest Chery-owned brand says it plans to also branch out into sports cars and offer traditional people movers.
If that’s not enough from Chery, the car-making giant might also launch Lepas in Australia – a new budget brand that will roll out a range of affordable vehicles.
