Chery iCar V23: A Tiny Toy Land Cruiser for the Price of a Used Corolla?!
Image Credit: iCar.
Oh boy. Another day, another quirky electric car from China that looks like it was designed by a committee of five-year-olds hopped up on Pixy Stix. But, over the years, I've learned not to judge a book by its cover. Especially when it comes to these Chinese EVs. They might look cartoonish, but some pack a lot of surprises. So, Chery iCar V23 - let's see what makes it tick.
This thing is tiny. It looks big, but in real life, it's like a Land Cruiser had a one-night stand with a Suzuki Jimny, and the iCar V23 was the unexpected love child. Measuring just 167 inches long, 75 inches wide, and 72 inches tall, it's about as compact as SUVs come. But - surprisingly - it's got some off-road chops, with a ground clearance of 8.3 inches and approach and departure angles that would make a Jeep Wrangler blush.
Image Credit: iCar.
The iCar V23 (what's in the name?) is a mishmash of retro and modern, with round headlights, a boxy shape, and a roof rack that looks like it was ripped off a 1980s Land Rover. But then you've got those hidden door handles and that funky rear storage container that screams "future." Chery took all the design cues from classic off-roaders, threw them in a blender, and hit the "puree" button. And somehow, it kinda works.
But the real surprise is inside. Forget the cutesy exterior; the cabin is all business. A massive 15.4-inch touchscreen dominates the dashboard, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip. That's the same chip you'll find in some high-end smartphones and tablets, so you know this infotainment system is no slouch. And with CarPlay support, you can seamlessly integrate your iPhone and pretend you're in a Tesla.
Image Credit: iCar.
The iCar V23 is surprisingly practical. The rear seats fold down to create a cavernous 744 liters of cargo space, which is more than enough for a weekend camping trip or a grocery run for a family of four. And with additional storage compartments under the seats and 90-liter underfloor storage, you'll have plenty of room for all your junk.
But enough about the looks and practicality; let's talk power. The iCar V23 comes in three flavors: a base rear-wheel-drive model with a 134-horsepower motor and a 301-mile range, a mid-range rear-wheel-drive model with the same motor but a larger battery and a 401-mile range, and a top-of-the-line all-wheel-drive model with a combined output of 211 horsepower and a 501-mile range. You won't be breaking any land speed records for sure in this tiny off-roader. But the 4x4 version should have enough pep in its walk.
Now, those range figures are based on the notoriously optimistic CLTC cycle, so don't expect to get anywhere near that in the real world. But even if you get 70% of that, you're still looking at a respectable range for a car this size. And with fast charging capabilities, you can juice up the battery from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes.
Everything aside - the quirky looks, the misleading dimension, and the optimistic range - there's even bigger news here. Or smaller, depending on which way you look at these things. The iCar V23 starts at just $13,700. That's less than a used Toyota Corolla! And even the top-of-the-line all-wheel-drive model comes in at under $20,000. That's an insane price for an electric SUV with this much tech and practicality.
Of course, there are some caveats. The iCar V23 is only available in China for now, and there's no word on whether it will ever make its way to the US. And even if it does, it's likely to face tariffs that'll double its price, making it expensive. See how much we are missing out on?
For us, the iCar V23 is - and will remain - just a curious glimpse into the Chinese future of affordable electric SUVs. You could sum it up with three words: quirky, practical, and ridiculously cheap. Wait, that's four words... And that's a simple recipe for success. So, kudos to Chery for creating a car that's both fun and functional.
