iCaur V25: The Boxy Electric SUV Headed for Australia in 2027

If you've been watching the wave of Chinese brands hitting Australian showrooms and wondering when something genuinely interesting would show up, the iCaur V25 might be it.

Chery has quietly filed the V25 with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and simultaneously dropped early exterior images of the thing. It's boxy, it's bold, and it carries a spare wheel on the back like it means business. iCaur hasn't confirmed Australian sales yet, but the brand is already locked in for a local launch in early 2027 — so this one is very much on the radar.

What You're Looking At

The V25 sits in the middle of iCaur's lineup — bigger than the small V23 and smaller than the flagship V27. In terms of size, it's essentially a Toyota RAV4 with attitude: 4636mm long, 1920mm wide, 1855mm tall, on a 2820mm wheelbase. That's 36mm longer and 65mm wider than a RAV4, with a 130mm longer wheelbase. Wheel options are 19 or 21 inches.

Styling-wise, it draws heavy inspiration from the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen — squared-off body, chunky D-pillars, round headlight clusters, and that external spare wheel carrier on the rear. Whether that design language lands in Perth suburbia or on a Kimberley track, it's a distinctive look in a segment full of jellybean crossovers.

The Powertrain Is the Real Story

The V25 runs an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) setup — and for WA drivers, this is where it gets genuinely relevant.

Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 115kW. But it never drives the wheels directly. Instead, it acts purely as a generator, keeping the 33.68kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery charged. The electric motors handle all the driving.

Electric-only range is 145–150km on the WLTC cycle, with a claimed fuel consumption of 1.52L/100km when running the generator. For most Perth commuters — average daily driving is well under 60km — you'd rarely touch the petrol engine. But for those weekend runs down to Margaret River or longer hauls through the WA outback, the generator means you're not hunting for a fast charger in the middle of nowhere. With WA fuel prices bouncing around and regional charging infrastructure still patchy, that's a practical advantage worth taking seriously.

Towing capacity is rated at 1800kg with an optional towing package — handy if you're running a trailer or a small boat.

What to Watch

Chery is already selling vehicles in Australia under the Chery and Omoda Jaecoo banners, with Lepas arriving later this year and iCaur plus Freelander due in 2027. The iCaur V23 and V27 have both been confirmed in right-hand drive, and the V25 almost certainly follows the same path.

Pricing hasn't been announced — that'll come closer to launch — but Chinese-brand SUVs have generally been landing well below their Japanese and Korean equivalents for comparable size and spec. If the V25 prices aggressively and backs it up with a solid local warranty and service network, it'll be worth a serious look against the RAV4, CX-5, and Tucson crowd.

Keep an eye on this one. The 2027 WA new car market is shaping up to be very different from today's.