Jimny fans: The new iCAUR electric SUV might be your new dream car

If the cute but rugged Suzuki Jimny is your dream car, there might be a few things stopping you from snatching one. These tiny 3-door SUVs are priced about RM160k-ish, which is not too bad. It’s just that you can get larger and more practical SUVs for less. That’s where the new iCAUR V23 might be giving the Jimny a run for its money.

So who or what is iCAUR? No, it’s not a new K-pop group or a car by Apple. It’s actually a fresh EV carmaker making waves at the Shanghai Autoshow 2025, and it’s gunning straight for the hearts of the young, wild and free-spirited.

iCAUR is a baby of two big names: Chery, the well-known Chinese automaker, and Smartmi Tech, a lifestyle-tech company. Together, they’re building cars that are less “just get me to work” and more “road trip? Say less.”

Their tagline is “Born to Play”. Very much “softboi who hikes” energy, but we’re into it, especially when we saw their cars ourselves in Shanghai.

Meet the iCAUR V23: Transformer-looking SUV with camping dreams

Their first baby, the iCAUR V23, looks like a Transformer that goes hiking on weekends and listens to Arctic Monkeys. It’s chunky, boxy, and bold – clearly not trying to blend in with the crowd at Pavilion.

But don’t let the rugged looks fool you. It’s built for both city driving and weekend getaways. There’s an all-new platform underneath, so it’s not just a pretty face, it’s supposed to be practical too.

Looking at it from the outside, we can’t help but compare it with the Suzuki Jimny. Let’s be real, the Jimny has that adorable-yet-tough charm. It looks like a mini G-Wagon, and people love it because it’s quirky, compact, and off-road-ready. But when it comes to day-to-day practicality, the Jimny is a bit of a diva. With only 3 doors, a lack of boot space, and fuel consumption that’s atad highfor a small car, it leaves us wanting more.

Now enter the iCAUR V23 – it’s got a similarly bold, boxy look, but with five doors, a roomier cabin, and a more tech-savvy personality. You still get that lifestyle SUV vibe, but with modern touches like a huge touchscreen, and possibly a smoother, more comfortable ride thanks to its EV architecture.

Plus, since it’s an electric or hybrid setup, you won’t have to worry about fuel consumption every time minyak naik. 

Fully electric or hybrid? Pick your flavour

The V23 comes in two versions: BEV (fully electric) and REEV (range-extended electric) for those of us who still have trust issues with charging stations.

That means whether you’re an EV purist or someone who panics when your phone battery hits 20%, there’s a version for you.

From the bold styling to the connected tech inside, the V23 is clearly made for people who want more than just a car, they want a vibe. It’s not shouting about horsepower or torque (don’t worry, it’s got power), it’s whispering, “I care about the planet… but also, look at this cool touchscreen.”

While we await official details for the Malaysian market, the global specifications of the iCAUR V23 provide a solid foundation for what we might anticipate:

Price wise, could the iCAUR V23 undercut the Jimny?

In China, the iCAUR V23 starts at approximately RMB109,800 (~RM65,000), with higher-spec models reaching up to RMB149,800 (~RM90,000).

So plus import taxes, IF they manage to price it similarly or even lower than the Jimny, that would be a total game-changer. You’d be getting EV savings, cool SUV styling, modern features, and zero trips to the petrol pump. If that happens, the V23 won’t just be a Jimny rival, but a compelling alternative in the compact SUV segment.

So, when is it coming to Malaysia? Good question. iCAUR is planning to hit over 100 countries in the next 3 years, with 2,000 service and sales centres. And amongst those plans, iCAUR is making its official Malaysian debut at the Malaysia Autoshow 2025! ????

Following its global reveal at the Shanghai Autoshow 2025, Malaysians will finally get a comprehensive preview of iCAUR’s vibrant EV lineup this 24 April 2025. There’ll also be a signing ceremony for the first batch of authorised dealer partners, so this launch is the real deal.

Would you trade in your fuel-guzzling SUV for something that’s electric, edgy, and actually looks like it could climb a hill and pull up to brunch? Let us know what you think. ????

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