iCaur/iCar has introduced the V27 as a range-extender electric family SUV in China, the Middle East, and Africa, combining electric driving with the long-distance flexibility of a petrol-powered generator.
iCaur is not currently sold in the UK, but its parent company, Chery, has already shaken up the market with Omoda and Jaecoo. The Independent exclusively reported in May 2026 that Chery could confirm iCaur’s UK ambitions within 12 months.
That makes the prospect of additional Chery-owned brands arriving in Britain more realistic than it would have seemed just a few years ago. And after spending time with the global-spec iCaur V27, we came away feeling that British buyers would find plenty to like!
Design
Based on a monocoque platform, the iCar V27 feels like it combines the best attributes of the Land Rover Defender, the Toyota FJ Cruiser, and the Land Rover Discovery Series 3.
Its upright proportions, squared-off bodywork and near-vertical tailgate give it the look of a traditional off-roader rather than a family SUV. Large wheel arches, chunky side steps and a bluff front end give it a very familiar look.
One thing that immediately stands out is its sheer size. At nearly two metres wide and more than five metres long, the V27 has a footprint similar to that of some full-size luxury SUVs.
Interior
Inside, the V27 features a clean dashboard layout centred around a 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 8.88-inch digital instrument display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in dashcam, and a 50W wireless smartphone charger.
The cabin is equipped with electrically adjustable front seats, ventilation, memory functions on higher trims and a heated and cooled centre armrest. Ambient lighting, a PM2.5 air purification system and a powered tailgate are also available.
A dual panoramic sunroof features on higher specifications, alongside insulated glass and heated exterior mirrors. The available 540-degree camera system will be more than a convenience feature for UK owners navigating narrow country lanes, cramped multi-storey car parks and supermarket parking bays.
Experience in the iCaur V27 EREV
I spent time in the iCaur V27, and it immediately feels like an upright, adventure-style SUV. Getting in is helped by the side steps and A-pillar grab handles, and for a six-footer, they do feel useful. Once inside, the long bonnet is one of the first things you notice from the driving position.
The front cabin feels extremely spacious. The pedal box was okay for my frame, and the front seats offered good back support, good side bolstering and very good under-thigh support. I had ample headroom, helped by the split glass roof.
The steering wheel felt grippy, and the slim digital instrument cluster was perfectly positioned between the horn pad and upper rim, so visibility was not an issue. I also liked the cabin execution. The soft-touch upper dashboard, ambient lighting, topstitching and large centre screen give the interior a more upmarket feel.
Practicality is good too, with two wireless phone chargers, cupholders, upper and lower centre-console storage, and physical controls for volume, drive modes, door locks, fan speed, temperature and demisters. That tactile control layout is a major positive.
The rear seat is also quite usable. With the front seat set to my position, I had more than 10 cm of knee room, and I could slide my shoes under the front seat. The floor is flat, access across the cabin is easy, and rear passengers get two air vents, USB ports, shopping-bag hooks, three headrests and a fold-out centre armrest with adjustable cupholders.
However, the knees sit slightly high, and three adults across the rear bench would not be comfortable. The middle seat is firmer, and the armrest cut-out affects back support, so I would treat this mainly as a four-seater.
The split roof glass lets in light and keeps the cabin airy, but it is permanently tinted and does not offer dimming. Unlike the V23, which we experienced last year, the external rear box also cannot be used for storage or as a spare-wheel carrier.
Specifications
Globally, the iCaur V27 measures 5,045 mm in length, 1,976 mm in width and 1,894 mm in height, while the wheelbase measures 2,900 mm. Ground clearance is 224 mm, while approach and departure angles are 24 degrees and 23 degrees, respectively.
A factory towing package allows the V27 to pull up to 1,600 kg braked. Boot capacity stands at 715 litres and expands to 1,818 litres with the rear seats folded.
The V27 is available in both rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations. The flagship dual-motor version combines a 150 kW front motor with a 185 kW rear motor for a total output of 335 kW (449 hp) and 505 Nm of torque. The all-wheel-drive model accelerates from 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h).
Power comes from a 34.31 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery paired with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that acts solely as a generator. The battery provides up to 150 km (93 miles) of electric-only driving range under the NEDC cycle, while total driving range reaches 995 km (618 miles).
Charging is supported at up to 6.6 kW AC and 60 kW DC, with a 20-80% DC charging session taking approximately 30 minutes. The V27 also supports Vehicle-to-Load functionality with up to 6 kW of output.
Pricing & Availability
If introduced in the UK, the iCaur V27 would likely sit in the £40,000-£50,000 bracket depending on specification. That would place it alongside vehicles such as the GWM Tank 500, Toyota Land Cruiser, and entry-level versions of the Land Rover Defender 110.
Trained as an automobile engineer, I’ve been following the global car market since 2005. Over the past 17 years, I’ve been involved in online automotive analysis and publishing, traveling the world to drive, evaluate, and experience new cars and technologies.
