Chery Group is set to disrupt South Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape with the launch of its dedicated sub-brand, iCaur, in May 2026. With a starting price expected to hover around R550,000, the brand is positioning itself to make electric mobility significantly more accessible to the local market.
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The branding journey of iCaur is as modular as its cars. Originally used by Chery for a pickup in 2007, the name evolved into an EV-focused spinoff in 2023. The addition of the “u” was reportedly a strategic move to sidestep legal friction with Apple. However, the logo is designed so subtly that most observers will still read it as “iCar”—though, for many South Africans, the pronunciation remains the same regardless of the spelling.
While Chery initially considered launching these models under the Jaecoo banner, it pivoted in 2025 to establish iCaur as a standalone entity. The brand plans to launch with 20 dedicated dealerships nationwide to ensure a premium, comprehensive ownership experience from day one.
The star of the launch is the iCaur V23, a boxy, rugged SUV that takes design cues from the Land Rover Defender. Targeted at young urban adventurers, the V23 is poised to become South Africa’s fourth-most affordable EV, undercutting the Geely EX5 by roughly R150,000.
- Entry-Level (R550,000): Features a 100kW rear-motor and a 60kWh battery. While its Chinese testing cycle (CLTC) range is 401km, realistic WLTP figures are estimated at 330km, dropping to about 231km at highway speeds.
- AWD Flagship (R650,000): Upgrades to dual motors (155kW) and an 82kWh battery, offering a more robust 411km WLTP range.
Charging is handled via 85kW DC fast-charging, capable of taking the battery from 10% to nearly full in about an hour.
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The V23 isn’t just about the powertrain; it’s about personality. A standout feature is its modular construction, featuring up to 24 interchangeable pieces—including fenders and bumpers—that can be swapped without tools. This allows owners to customize their vehicle’s aesthetic with ease.
Inside, the cabin features a 12.8-inch floating touchscreen powered by the Snapdragon 8155 chip, a panoramic sunroof, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities. This allows the car to act as a mobile power bank, providing up to 3.3kW of output to charge external devices or appliances—a particularly useful feature for the South African lifestyle.
Alongside the V23, iCaur will also debut the 03T, a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), providing an alternative for those who aren’t yet ready to rely solely on battery power.
