The R550k Game-Changer: iCaur’s Electric V23 SUV Aims to Shake Up South Africa’s EV Market

South Africa’s electric vehicle landscape is about to get a bold, boxy, and significantly more affordable new entrant. Chery’s dedicated EV sub-brand, iCaur, has confirmed it will launch its first two models here in May 2026, with the headline actthe iCaur V23 electric SUVexpected to start at around R550,000. This would make it the country’s first electric SUV priced under R600,000, undercutting rivals like the Geely EX5 by a substantial margin.

Originally teased under Chery’s Jaecoo umbrella, iCaur was spun off as a standalone electric brand in 2023. The slight name tweak (adding a “u”) reportedly avoids legal friction with Apple, but the logo ensures most will still read it as “iCar.” For South Africans, the pronunciation might just depend on whether you’re from Pretoria.

The iCaur V23: Style, Customisation, and Urban Adventure

Targeting young, style-conscious urban drivers, the V23 wears its inspiration on its sleeve with a rugged, Land Rover Defender-esque silhouette. But its real appeal lies beneath the surface. The entry-level rear-wheel-drive model packs a 100kW motor and a 60kWh battery, offering a claimed 401km range on the Chinese CLTC cycle. In real-world terms, expect closer to 330km (WLTP), or roughly 230km at steady highway speedsmaking it ideal for city life and shorter getaways.

For those needing more capability, an all-wheel-drive variant (around R650,000) offers dual motors (155kW) and a larger 82kWh battery for a more reassuring estimated 410km WLTP range. Both versions feature vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, turning the SUV into a mobile 3.3kW power station.

Inside, a “lounge-inspired” cabin boasts a panoramic sunroof and a slick 12.8-inch touchscreen powered by a Snapdragon 8155 chip. True to its youthful target market, iCaur is pushing extensive personalisation with up to 24 quick-release modular parts, allowing owners to swap bumpers and fenders without tools in a variety of bright colours.

The Practical Alternative: The 03T Range-Extender

Alongside the V23, iCaur will introduce the 03T, a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV). This model uses a small petrol engine solely as a generator to recharge the battery on the go, addressing one of the biggest anxieties for South African drivers: range and charging infrastructure. It’s a strategic offering for a market still in the early stages of EV adoption.

A Calculated Market Entry

iCaur isn’t dipping a toeit’s planning a full-scale rollout with 20 dedicated dealerships nationwide from launch, promising a “complete iCaur experience.” This significant infrastructure investment signals Chery’s serious commitment to capturing a slice of South Africa’s growing, yet price-sensitive, EV segment.

The V23’s potential success hinges on its promised blend of striking design, personalisation, and that crucial sub-R600k price point. If iCaur delivers on its specs and build quality, it could dramatically lower the entry barrier to electric SUV ownership, forcing established players to respond and finally bringing the EV conversation to a much broader South African audience. The countdown to May 2026 is on.

{Source: Mybroadband}

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