The Chinese automotive expansion in South Africa continues at a blistering pace, and the Chery Group is the latest to target the lifestyle vehicle market. It’s placed its new iCaur brand at the centre of the affordable, pure-electric market … and you won’t mistake the V23 for anything else…
We like: Striking, retro-futuristic exterior styling; V23 offers a spacious cabin with excellent legroom and flat floor; refined, quiet electric drive and smooth ride quality.
We don’t like: Not very efficient; total boot capacity is only average for the segment; boxy aerodynamics lead to increased wind noise at highway speeds.
FAST FACTS
- Model: iCaur V23 2WD Single Motor
- Price: R525 000 (estimated)
- Engine: single electric motor (RWD)
- Transmission: single-speed automatic
- Power/Torque: 100 kW/180 Nm
- 0-100 kph: 11.0 seconds (claimed)
- Claimed fuel consumption: 20.0 kWh/100 km
- Luggage capacity: TBC
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Where does the iCaur V23 fit in?
This boldly styled newcomer aims to deliver a futuristic, boxy design (some would say retro), high-end technology, and genuine urban versatility at a highly competitive price point for EVs.
Two models will be available at launch from May 2026, this single motor plus a more potent AWD derivative offering 155 kW and 292 Nm. If you find the V23’s styling too divisive, iCaur offers a far more palatably drawn alternative – the iCaur 03T – and iCaur will be launching the range-topping V27 towards the end of the year.
The white V23 you see here is a pre-launch demonstration unit and was missing features and trim, and we understand that customer cars will be different.
Read more: iCaur 03T Price & Specs
How the iCaur V23 fares in terms of…
Design & Packaging
The compact family SUV segment is heavily crowded, but the V23 manages to stand out instantly with its avant-garde, retro-futuristic styling.
The most arresting element is the flat front end featuring a blocked-out grille area flanked by sharply hewn, dual-tier round LED headlight units. It follows a clean, utilitarian design philosophy that gives it a distinctly blocky appearance, drawing immediate inspiration from legendary rugged off-road icons.
The rugged theme continues down the flanks and toward the rear, where you will find distinctive alloy wheels, flared unpainted protective wheel arches, side-mounted utility rails, and a square storage box mounted directly onto the side-hinged tailgate.
Step inside, and you are greeted by a tiered, minimalist dashboard architecture that creates a modern, cockpit-like feel. Material quality is highly impressive for an entry-level electric vehicle, with plenty of soft-touch surfaces and neat, contrast-stitched detailing. Dare we say it, but this feels premium!
As usual, dominating the dashboard layout is a massive and responsive high-resolution 15.4-inch central infotainment touchscreen. The system is packed with features like wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, heated and ventilated seat controls and so on. The V23 doesn’t just rely on the infotainment screen for all functionality as there are numerous good quality-feeling switchgear too.
Space and packaging are major selling points. Thanks to a dedicated EV architecture that pushes the wheels right out to the absolute corners of the body, there is an exceptional amount of legroom in the rear. There’s provision for a 3rd seatbelt, but 3 adults will find it cramped. Treat this vehicle as a 2+2.
Out back, the luggage bay features a square shape and a flat loading floor. There’s no spare wheel, but rather a hidden storage compartment instead. Total volume, however, is fairly average compared to some compact crossovers.
Ride, Handling & Comfort
The suspension has been tuned with a clear bias toward comfort, which is well-suited to managing uneven or poorly maintained South African road surfaces. The ride remains cushioned and refined, soaking up road imperfections while keeping the cabin decently insulated from road noise, vibration, and harshness.
The blocky shape does have its disadvantages, however – the cockpit isn’t as well insulated from wind noise as you’d hope, but in its defence, most of its rivals suffer from this. The light steering setup makes the vehicle a breeze to pilot around town, and drivers can customise the driving modes to adjust power delivery.
When it comes to charging, the vehicle supports high-capacity DC fast charging up to 85 kW, allowing drivers to top up the battery from 20% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes, making public charging stops relatively quick and effortless during longer trips. In terms of AC speeds, expect around 6 kW.
Performance & Efficiency
Under the floor lives a 59.93 kWh battery (81.8 kWh for the AWD model). The flagship model features a dual-motor setup that provides confident, sure-footed all-wheel drive traction and more energetic straight-line performance.
On the move, the instant electric torque makes the vehicle feel a bit quicker than outputs suggest. iCaur claims a 0-100 kph in 11.0 seconds and we managed 10.75 seconds. The V23 has a top speed of 140 kph, confirming its role as an urban city slicker.
Efficiency is where the V23 comes a little undone, and the blame can be shouldered mostly by the design and aerodynamics. Its boxy shape will plug at the heartstrings, but it doesn’t cut through the air. iCaur claims 20.0 kWh/100 km and if you use sport mode and drive at triple-digit speeds, expect to see 24 kWh/100 km. On average, we saw around 17.0 kWh/100 km.
Verdict
With its blend of distinctive retro styling, a highly specified interior, and an extensive service support network from the Chery Group, the V23 presents a compelling alternative to established lifestyle vehicles.
It provides a premium-feeling, zero-emissions ownership experience without forcing consumers to pay an outrageous price tag for the privilege of owning an electric vehicle. Except to see a decent number of these silently cruising our streets.
Read more: iCaur V27 Confirmed for South Africa in 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What type of vehicle brand is iCaur, and who is it backed by?
A: iCaur is a new pure-electric vehicle brand targeting the affordable lifestyle market in South Africa, backed by the industrial strength and support network of the Chery Group.
Q: What are the primary performance specifications of the iCaur V23 RWD?
A: The V23 RWD features a single-motor electric setup delivering a 100 kW of power and 180 Nm of torque, paired with a single-speed automatic transmission.
Q: How long does it take to charge the iCaur V23 using a DC fast charger?
A: The vehicle supports high-capacity DC fast charging, which allows the battery to be topped up from 20% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes.
