New Chinese off-road electric brand iCaur timing for Australia confirmed: Three boxy wagons headed our way from early 2027

Chinese car giant Chery says it will roll out yet another car brand, confirming its electrified off-road marque iCaur will arrive in Australia from February 2027.

While iCaur was already known to be headed to Australia – and was originally expected to launch in 2026 – the timeline has now been pushed back, with local introductions set to begin early next year.

Launching with all-new models, the line-up is expected to include the mid-size V27 revealed earlier this year, alongside the still-to-be-released V25 SUV. Both are pitched as combining classic boxy styling, advanced interior technology and a choice of either range-extender hybrid or full-electric powertrains.

READ MORE: Look out Suzuki Jimny! China’s iCar V23 is a cheap, capable, electric off-roader and it’s headed to Australia
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Confirming both models will touch down early next year, with sales to begin shortly after, an insider told media following the Beijing motor show that the Suzuki Jimny Wagon-rivalling V23 is also planned for Australia, although not until it receives a mid-life update.

Expect the V23 to arrive in either 2028 or 2029.

iCaur, known as iCar in China, has only been selling vehicles since 2023, but in just over two years the brand has amassed global sales of more than 160,000 units.

The company says it plans to expand rapidly, targeting entry into a further 100 export markets over the next three years.

In Australia, the V27 is expected to come initially with a single range-extender hybrid powertrain, although a pure EV version could follow if demand warrants it.

Larger than both the V25 and V23, the V27 is expected to be offered locally in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive forms, with the latter delivering higher outputs.

Heavily inspired by off-road icons such as the Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the V27 adopts a similarly boxy silhouette, complete with circular headlamps.

Despite its rugged appearance, engineers admit iCaur models are not designed for extreme off-road use, with vehicles like the Defender or LandCruiser expected to outperform them in more demanding conditions.

From launch, all Australian-spec models are set to feature an externally mounted full-size spare wheel, conventional door handles and a retro-style side-hinged tailgate.

Measuring 4909mm long, 1976mm wide and 1855mm tall, with a 2910mm wheelbase, the V27 is broadly comparable in size to a Land Rover Defender 110.

Under the bonnet sits a 105kW 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with either a 34.3kWh or 20.6kWh battery pack as part of its range-extender hybrid system.

Total system output is rated at 335kW, enabling a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.5 seconds.

In China, the V27 can travel up to 210km on electric power alone and deliver a total driving range of around 1200km, although both figures are expected to decrease under the stricter WLTP test cycle.

Longer ranges are expected from lighter two-wheel-drive variants.

Equipped with a long-range LiDAR sensor and 27 additional sensors, Chinese-market models offer Level 2+ autonomous driving capability, with adaptive cruise control operating in both highway and urban environments.

Inside, the V27 features a 15.4-inch infotainment display powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P processor, delivering faster and smoother responses. Beneath it sits a row of physical buttons providing shortcuts for key functions such as climate control.

Ahead of the driver is a slimline 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, while a four-pane segmented sunroof helps flood the cabin with light.

In China, the V27 is priced from around 200,000 yuan (approximately A$40,000). Local pricing is yet to be confirmed, although insiders suggest it will undercut the Denza B5, which is currently priced from $74,990 to $79,990 in Australia.

Despite its rugged styling, the iCaur V27 has a maximum towing capacity of 1600kg, some way short of the 3000kg claimed for the Denza B5.

Recent spy shots have also captured the V25 undergoing testing, revealing a strong family resemblance to both the V23 and V27.

Despite being smaller, the V25 is expected to be offered with both range-extender hybrid and full-electric powertrains, with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

While it has been suggested the V27 or V25 could spawn a ute, Chery executives have ruled this out for Australia, citing concerns it could cannibalise sales of the incoming dual-cab plug-in diesel hybrid Chery KP31, which is slated for release in late 2026.