2027 iCaur V25 and V27 review: Quick drive

The iCaur V25 and iCaur V27 look fantastic in the metal, particularly in the right colour. Both have plenty of presence, but it was the smaller V25 that made the stronger impression on our first drive.

We spent less than 20 minutes driving the pair of boxy SUVs on a very slippery, muddy course in China. It was enough to give us a taste of their traction systems and a chance to explore their cabins, but a proper drive on home turf is still to come.

Which versions are coming to Australia?

iCaur's Australian launch plans start with the battery-electric V25 mid-size SUV due here in early 2027, followed by the V27 large SUV with an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain, and then EREV versions of the V25. The range-extender models use electric motors to drive their wheels and a petrol engine to generate electricity for their battery. They can also be plugged in to charge. Australian prices and final specifications are yet to be announced.

Given that launch order, we would like to have driven the electric version of the V25 as well. Its preliminary figures, including an 80kWh battery and about 368km of claimed WLTP range, leave us with some reservations about longer trips. However, these are preliminary figures, not confirmed Australian specifications.

For getting around town, it could make plenty of sense. At lower speeds, the aerodynamic penalty of that upright body is less significant. For the big adventures its looks suggest it's capable of, we’d want to know much more about highway energy consumption and charging speeds before recommending the electric version.

V25 and V27: Specs at a glance

The comparison below covers preliminary/overseas specifications, not confirmed Australian specifications. We're yet to drive the electric V25; the V25 and V27 we drove were range-extenders.

WLTP is a laboratory test cycle, not a guarantee of real-world range. The preliminary battery and range figures above apply only to the electric V25, not the range-extender we drove. Australian prices and final specifications remain unconfirmed, and launch timing is subject to homologation and supply.

What are the iCaur V25 and V27 like inside?

Inside, both cars impressed.

There’s excellent headroom and plenty of space, while the V27 feels particularly big once you’re sitting in it. We also liked its glass roof, which appears to be divided into two sections.

The cabin materials felt good to touch, and a step above what we’ve experienced in mainstream Chery products. The interior colour choices add to the appeal. How those materials stand up to years of use will matter more than how they feel during a brief inspection, but our initial impressions are positive.

How do the iCaur V25 and V27 drive?

The V25 felt much more stable in the greasy. Its mud and slippery drive modes helped the traction control keep things together, and it felt the more settled of the two.

The V27 was much looser at the rear, repeatedly stepping sideways, and it also bottomed out. We're not sure exactly why after such a short drive, but the difference between the cars was noticeable.

Our V25 was the range-extender version, which felt quiet and delivered plenty of power. The steering was very light, although slippery mud tells us little about how it will feel on Australian roads.

CarExpert’s take on the iCaur V25 and V27

We would have preferred the range-extender V25 to arrive in Australia first, or an electric version offering more range. That’s something we’ll have to revisit when we can drive the Australian-spec cars properly.

Price will be crucial, too. We’d want the V27 to be competitive with Denza’s large plug-in hybrid off-road SUVs, and ideally cheaper. Chery and JLR’s forthcoming Freelander 8 will give buyers another spacious, adventurous electrified SUV to consider, so there will be plenty of alternatives.

Our preference would actually have been to launch the iCaur brand here with the smaller V23. It looks terrific and, at the right price, should have broader appeal. It remains only a possibility for Australia, but of the two models we’ve now driven, albeit very briefly, the V25 is the one we’re most keen to spend more time in.

MORE: Explore the iCaur V25 showroom
MORE: Explore the iCaur showroom