China’s smash hit cheap G-Wagon: The £22k electric ICaur V23 is a mini SUV that could be heading to UK roads – we’ve driven it

There’s an EV off-roader brand that’s taking the roads by storm in China.

ICar – or ICaur for international branding – is Chinese auto giant Chery’s EV off-road brand aimed at younger buyers. Think of the G-Wagon as the price of a Suzuki Jimny – the ICaur series is tough, cute, cool and cheap.

And it’s already sold out like fine wine in China.

The first model, the 03, was only released in February 2024, but almost 66,000 units were sold by the end of the year.

When I was in China last month, I saw ICaurs everywhere; on the road, in trucks ready to be delivered to customers, in parking lots, outside restaurants…

And it’s very possible that these retro-style off-roaders will be coming to the UK soon, making 4×4 EVs the hot wheels everyone wants.

In preparation, I am the first UK motoring journalist to take the V23, its first ‘global’ model, for a test drive to see whether we should believe the hype…

What is the ICaur brand and will it be coming to the UK?

‘Born to Play’ – that’s ICaur’s motto.

This reflects the target market that ICaur is aiming for, namely young drivers and those ‘young at heart’. People who are ‘willing to try something new’.

It emerged from a collaboration between Chery, China’s largest car exporter, and Smartmi Tech, the supply partner of the tech giant’s electric vehicle maker Xiaomi.

The aim is to make ICaurs as smartly designed as they are packed with technology, making them attractive to today’s young, digitally literate drivers.

As we said, the V23 is the first global model and reinforces that iCars are EVs that can tackle an off-road adventure as easily as zero-emission urban commuting.

So, how about buying one for yourself from our fair shores?

ICaur is said to be coming to the UK within two years. Given the brand has big plans to expand rapidly – reaching more than 100 countries over the next three years and establishing more than 2,000 service and sales centers worldwide – we think it’s good to get our hopes up for ICaur to hit UK roads.

As we said, the V23 is the first global model and cements iCars as EVs that can tackle an off-road adventure as easily as zero-emission urban commuting.

Is there any blocking appeal?

The ICaur V23 is a hybrid of the Ford Bronco, Suzuki Jimny and Mercedes G-Wagon.

The front end is essentially Bronco, with a fully enclosed smoked grille and split-style round headlights that scream off-road ready.

The boxy and side profile carries Bronco cues, but shorter and squarer, the Jimny has an upright, energetic and stylish appearance.

What about the back? The angled, flat door, wheel box and large window combine in the G-Wagon.

It’s retro and nostalgic, with square fenders, flared wheel arches and side steps, but also just the right amount of meat to give clear off-road intentions, with just the right amount of boxy structure to be modern and ‘fun’ – it looks ready to go country but has a lively, youthful feel that makes it the Chinese equivalent of a Chelsea tractor in the city.

The ICaur V23 is a mix of Bronco, Jimny and G-Wagon. Oozes air and combines power and nostalgia with 21st century design

Interior – Is the V23 cabin as cool as the exterior?

The V23’s exterior may be rugged and retro, but nostalgia is left at the door; the interior is futuristic and up to the nines, but still adventure-ready with decent off-road capabilities.

Powered by the latest Snapdragon SA8155, the 15.4-inch touchscreen has a widget-based home screen system very similar to the iPhone; Maps, phone, shopping, entertainment and cameras can all be skipped by clicking on different ‘apps’. It burns fast.

There’s also voice control and Apple CarPlay if you want. Not that you need it.

Even in Chinese, I can easily quickly navigate the system because it’s just like using your smartphone; Every widget or app is image based which is universal.

Despite the language barrier, I found it easier to navigate than many touchscreens in the UK.

There’s also a digital driver display that shows gears, speed and settings. It’s stylish and the information is kept to a minimum so it’s not distracting.

The interior here is slightly different from the version we tested, it still has the same 15.4-inch screen and comfort meets utilitarianism

The rest of the dashboard is reminiscent of the Ineos Grenadier; Below the touchscreen are aluminum dials to control volume, air conditioning and driving mode. Below are five switches that provide access to controls such as windshield heating, front and rear and hazard warning flashers.

There are four cockpit-like buttons on the top, again like the Grenadier.

The steering wheel has rectangular hotkeys and the air vents are rectangular and angled, making the interior look sharp and solid at the same time.

The handles and sustainable leather are completely wipeable. Red stitching and trim and red seatbelts add a touch of flare.

Very very cool interior; The meeting point of quality and solidity is excellent.

It has an 81.8kWh battery that produces 207hp and goes from 0-60mph in 7.2 seconds. Top speed 86mph

Power, range and terrain capabilities; Can he really do all of this?

The V23 is built on a new vehicle platform and designed with off-road and urban driving in mind.

With this in mind, the all-wheel drive version has an 81.8 kWh battery that produces 207 hp.

It’s good for a 0-60mph time of 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 86mph.

The now-defunct New European Driving Cycle test measurement gives it a range of 420 km or 260 miles, but we don’t yet know what the distance between charges will be when you put in Europe’s current WLTP cycle.

The V23 can be fast-charged at up to 104KW, providing a 20 to 80 percent charge in 42 minutes.

While there’s plenty of range and spirit to enjoy in the city, these stats won’t blow your mind.

But what’s impressive is that it’s an EV with ‘i-AWD’ intelligent electric four-wheel drive and dual motors for ultimate off-road performance.

The V23 features an ‘i-AWD’ intelligent electric all-wheel drive system and dual motors for ultimate off-road performance. Its range has not yet been measured on WLTP, but the Chinese measure is 260 miles.

To tackle any terrain you want the ICaur to climb, you can adjust pitch, roll, and power just like you could on a real rugged all-terrain vehicle.

Admittedly, I didn’t tackle any mountain roads or a muddy track in the V23, but I had a blast on the streets of Wuhu.

The ride height is great, the driving position and comfort are ten-to-ten, it responds quickly, makes tight turns, weaves in and out of traffic and puts the biggest smile on my 4×4 loving face.

I really hope it comes to the UK so I can take it to Scotland or Wales and head out into the mountains in the wettest winter conditions.

How much does ICaur V23 cost? And is there a market for it?

The model I tested cost the equivalent of around £22,000. So, by staying true to the Chery brand, you get a lot with very little spending.

If the V23 can actually do everything it promises off-road, then there’s almost no competition here, especially at this price point.

The Suzuki Jimny was a little cheaper, or was before it was banned on emissions grounds about five years ago, but obviously it wasn’t available as an EV.

So there is a huge gap in the market and the pricing is something young buyers can afford.

It’s a steal for everything you get and how good it looks.

The model I tested cost the equivalent of around £22,000. So, by staying true to the Chery brand, you get a lot out of it with very little spending. Hopefully if it comes to the UK it will cost around £20k or less (definitely)

Cars and Motor Vehicles verdict: Is the UK ready for ICaur adventures?

The V23 has serious street appeal.

I’m the target buyer – a young city-dwelling, rural-raised buyer who likes 4x4s but wants an EV that’s not too big for city life – and I’d happily pay £22k for it.

All my friends I showed it to wanted to know when it was coming to the UK. It caught everyone instantly.

Not only will the V23 be a refreshing new addition to the market, I’m betting it will be as big a success as the currently sold-out Jimny. So cute and cool, technological and cheap; What’s not to love?

Rumor has it Chery sold 30,000 units of the 03 ICaur in its first hour on sale in China, and if it comes here it could be the only EV after the Renault 5 to have a waiting list.

I would write my name.