Chery iCaur V27
SUV (Rugged) Gen1 5 Seats
Details
Brand
Chery
Model
iCaur V27
Generation
Gen1
Category
SUV (Rugged)
Segment
E
Seats
5 Seats
Price
AED 134,999
Performance Class
Standard
Powertrain
EREV
Drivetrain
RWD
Range (WLTP)
95 km
Range (CLTC)
145 km
Battery
20.6 kWh
Power
248 hp
Torque
300 Nm
0-100 km/h
8.5 sec
Home Charging Time
2 hours
2026 iCaur V27 Review UAE — Chery's Rugged EREV Takes on the Desert
Battery Spec
Two battery options
are offered across the range. The Standard RWD trim uses a 20.6 kWh pack with
an estimated WLTP electric range of approximately 95 km. Premium and Off-Road
trims step up to a 34.3 kWh battery rated at around 150 km WLTP. The 1.5-litre
turbo range extender achieves an industry-leading 45.79% thermal efficiency,
converting 3.71 kWh per litre of fuel — extending combined cruising range
beyond 1,000 km on a single tank and charge.
Real-World Range
In UAE summer
conditions with sustained air conditioning, electric-only range typically drops
15–25% from WLTP claims. The 34.3 kWh battery is expected to deliver 115–130 km
on electric in summer and 130–145 km in cooler months. Motorway cruising at
120–140 km/h further reduces efficiency due to the V27's boxy aerodynamic
profile. The smaller 20.6 kWh pack will manage approximately 70–80 km in summer
— sufficient for short urban commutes but not inter-emirate trips on electric
alone.
Home Charging
The V27 charges at
approximately 7 kW via Type 2 AC, completing a full 34.3 kWh charge in roughly
five hours on a standard villa wall box. At DEWA's residential rate of AED
0.23/kWh, a full charge costs approximately AED 7.89. In Abu Dhabi at the
expatriate rate of AED 0.27/kWh, the cost is approximately AED 9.26. The
smaller 20.6 kWh battery completes in around three hours.
Public Fast Charging
DC fast charging
peaks at 150 kW via CCS2, reaching 20–80% in approximately 30 minutes for the
34.3 kWh battery. Compatible UAE networks include DEWA Green Charger, E2GO
(ADNOC/TAQA), UAEV (Northern Emirates), and GreenParking. Given the EREV
architecture and 60-litre fuel tank, public charging dependency is minimal —
most owners will rely primarily on home charging and petrol for long journeys.
2026
iCaur V27 — Battery & Charging
Cabin Comfort
The cabin seats five
with generous rear knee room measured at 950 mm. Materials mix soft-touch
surfaces with rugged textured plastics on the lower door panels — in keeping
with the outdoor character. iCaur claims 50 dedicated storage compartments
throughout the cabin, including a refrigerated centre-console box on upper
trims.
Driver Comfort
A commanding driving
position sits behind a 15.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen powered by a Qualcomm
Snapdragon 8295P processor — the same chip found in vehicles costing three
times more. A slimline digital instrument cluster provides speed, range, and
navigation data. Physical buttons on the centre console control climate and
off-road modes, avoiding the fully-touch trap that plagues many modern SUVs.
AC Performance
Dual-zone automatic
climate control is standard across all trims. Pre-cooling via the iCaur
smartphone app allows cabin conditioning before entry — essential during UAE
summer months where interior temperatures exceed 55°C. The EREV architecture
maintains battery reserves for air conditioning even when the traction battery
is depleted, using the range extender to generate electricity on demand.
Luggage
Boot volume measures
715 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,818 litres with seats folded —
competitive with full-size SUVs in the class. The flat load floor and wide
tailgate aperture accommodate bulky adventure equipment. A powered tailgate with
height memory is standard on Premium and Off-Road trims.
Infotainment
The 15.4-inch
central display runs iCaur's proprietary interface with wireless Apple CarPlay
and Android Auto as standard. Response times are sharp thanks to the Snapdragon
8295P chipset. Over-the-air updates are supported. Arabic language support for
navigation and menus is expected given the UAE's role as the global launch
market, though official confirmation from iCaur is pending at time of writing.
Safety
The V27's headline
feature is its Falcon 700 ADAS system, co-developed with Horizon Robotics. A
Hesai ATX LiDAR unit and 27 sensors provide 560 TOPS of computing power — a
specification typically reserved for vehicles above AED 300,000. System
response latency is 160 milliseconds. Standard ADAS features include AEB,
adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear
cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree surround camera. Euro NCAP testing has
not been published for the V27, though the related iCaur V23 achieved 5-star
ASEAN NCAP.
How Does it Drive?
Despite the rugged
exterior, the V27 drives like an electric SUV. The 1.5-litre turbo engine
functions purely as a generator — it never mechanically connects to the wheels.
Torque delivery is instant and smooth. The transition between pure-electric and
range-extender modes is nearly imperceptible under normal driving.
Performance
The Off-Road AWD
variant sprints from 0–100 km/h in 5.5 seconds — brisk for a 2,300 kg rugged
SUV. Even the entry-level Standard RWD at 248 hp and 8.5 seconds offers
adequate performance for UAE motorway merging. The range extender becomes
audible only under sustained high-speed cruising above 140 km/h.
Braking
Regenerative braking
is adjustable through multiple levels. Energy recovery feeds the traction
battery during deceleration, extending electric range in stop-start urban
traffic. Brake feel is consistent across EV and range-extender modes, with no
noticeable transition.
Autopilot
The Falcon 700
system delivers Level 2+ autonomous driving support. Highway pilot maintains
lane centring and adaptive distance on well-marked motorways such as the E11
and Sheikh Zayed Road. The LiDAR sensor provides superior object detection in
low-light conditions and dust haze — a genuine advantage for UAE driving
environments. Smart parking assistance handles perpendicular and parallel
manoeuvres autonomously.
Handling
The chassis was
co-developed with Prodrive Racing, bringing motorsport-grade tuning to the
suspension geometry. Magneto-rheological (MRC) dampers are available on upper
trims, adjusting firmness 1,000 times per second. Body roll is well-managed
through sweeping motorway interchanges despite the tall ride height.
Ride
Over the UAE's
predominantly smooth urban roads, the V27 rides with composed comfort. The 220
mm ground clearance and long-travel suspension absorb speed bumps and road
imperfections without harshness. Tyre noise from the 20-inch wheels is moderate
at motorway speeds.
Off-Road
Terrain modes for
sand, mud, and rock are accessible from the central touchscreen. The AWD
Off-Road variant adds a front electric motor for true all-wheel drive with
electronic differential locking. Approach angle is 31 degrees, departure is 28
degrees, and ground clearance of 220 mm provides adequate desert clearance. The
V27 is a unibody platform — not body-on-frame — so serious rock-crawling is not
its forte, but soft-sand dune driving and wadi crossings are well within its
envelope.
Warranty and After-Sales
AW Rostamani Group
distributes iCaur in the UAE with a flagship showroom at Oasis Centre, Sheikh
Zayed Road. The warranty covers up to seven years or 150,000 km for the
vehicle, with a five-year battery warranty. A five-year / 100,000 km service
package is included. Service centres are established in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and
Sharjah. As a brand-new entrant, iCaur's UAE parts inventory and technician
network depth remain unproven — a factor prospective buyers should weigh
against the competitive pricing.
Grey Import vs Official Dealer
Given the V27's EREV
architecture, Chinese-market units may ship with GB/T charging ports
incompatible with UAE CCS2 infrastructure. Insurance loading on grey imports is
typically 15–25% above agency pricing. Government incentives — free Salik tag,
green parking bays, reduced registration fees — apply to official agency
vehicles only. With the V27 already priced aggressively at AED 134,999, the
grey-import cost advantage is negligible and not worth the risk.
Cost of Ownership
At AED 134,999 for
the Standard and AED 164,999 for the range-topping Off-Road AWD, the V27
significantly undercuts comparable rugged SUVs. A Toyota Land Cruiser 300
starts above AED 230,000; the Tank 300 sits at AED 140,000–170,000 without any
electric capability. The V27's combination of plug-in efficiency and adventure
hardware is unmatched at this price point.
For a buyer covering
20,000 km per year with a home wall box, annual electricity cost for the
electric-mode commuting portion is estimated under AED 1,800, versus AED
8,000–12,000 for a comparable petrol SUV. On longer journeys using the range
extender, estimated fuel consumption is 5–7 L/100 km — well below a
conventional 4.0L V6 SUV. Combined annual running-cost savings are estimated at
AED 5,000–8,000.
Insurance estimates
through official UAE channels range from AED 6,500 to AED 9,500 annually.
Government incentives include a free Salik tag (toll charges of AED 4–6 per
gate still apply), green parking bay access with a four-hour session limit, and
reduced RTA registration fees. Depreciation risk is elevated for a brand-new
marque with no UAE resale history. Three-year residual value is difficult to
forecast; conservative buyers should factor a steeper depreciation curve than
established Japanese or German brands.
2026
iCaur V27 — Standard & Trim Equipment
Best Suited For
- Villa residents with a home wall box and off-road aspirations
- Weekend desert and wadi explorers
- Families seeking a rugged 5-seater with 715-litre boot
- Tech-forward buyers attracted to LiDAR ADAS at under AED 165,000
Not Suited For
- Apartment residents without private charging access
- Pure-EV buyers who want zero petrol dependence
- Brand-conservative buyers who prioritise proven UAE resale
Specifications & Tables
Specifications
| Specification | Standard RWD | Premium RWD | Off-Road AWD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (AED) | 134,999 | 156,999 | 164,999 |
| Powertrain | EREV | EREV | EREV |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | AWD |
| Battery | 20.6 kWh | 34.3 kWh | 34.3 kWh |
| System Power / Torque | 248 hp / 300 Nm | 449 hp / 505 Nm | 449 hp / 505 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.5 sec | 5.9 sec | 5.5 sec |
| Electric Range (WLTP est.) | ~95 km | ~150 km | ~150 km |
| Combined Range (CLTC) | ~1,000 km | ~1,200 km | ~1,000 km |
| Fuel Tank | 60 L | 60 L | 60 L |
| Range Extender | 1.5T 4-cyl turbo (generator only — never drives wheels) | ||
| DC Charge (max) | 150 kW CCS2 | ||
| AC Charge | ~7 kW Type 2 | ||
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 4,899 × 1,976 × 1,894 mm | ||
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | ||
| Ground Clearance | 220 mm | ||
| Kerb Weight | 2,084–2,335 kg (variant dependent) | ||
| Boot Volume | 715 L (1,818 L seats folded) | ||
| Seats | 5 | ||
| Safety Rating | Not yet rated (NCAP pending) | ||
| UAE Distributor | AW Rostamani Group | ||
| Vehicle Warranty | Up to 7 years / 150,000 km |
Specifications
| Specification | Standard RWD (20.6 kWh) | Premium / Off-Road (34.3 kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Range (WLTP est.) | ~95 km | ~150 km |
| UAE Summer Range (est.) | ~70–80 km | ~115–130 km |
| Combined Range (CLTC) | ~1,000 km | ~1,200 km |
| DC Fast Charge (max) | 150 kW CCS2 — 20–80% in ~30 min | |
| AC Home Charge | ~3 hrs at 7 kW | ~5 hrs at 7 kW |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | |
| Charging Plug Type | Type 2 (AC) / CCS2 (DC) |
Trim Levels and Pricing
| Variant | Drive | Battery | Power | 0–100 km/h | Price (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | RWD | 20.6 kWh | 248 hp | 8.5 sec | 134,999 |
| Premium | RWD | 34.3 kWh | 449 hp | 5.9 sec | 156,999 |
| Off-Road | AWD | 34.3 kWh | 449 hp | 5.5 sec | 164,999 |
Specifications
| Category | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Standard RWD — Base Equipment | |
| Infotainment | 15.4" 2.5K touchscreen, Snapdragon 8295P, digital cluster, wireless CarPlay / Android Auto |
| Safety & ADAS | Falcon 700 ADAS (LiDAR, 27 sensors), AEB, adaptive cruise, lane keep, blind spot, 360° camera |
| Comfort | Dual-zone climate, remote pre-cooling, 50 storage compartments |
| Convenience | Keyless entry, push-button start, rear parking sensors |
| Premium RWD — Additional Equipment | |
| Powertrain | 34.3 kWh battery (up from 20.6 kWh), 449 hp system output |
| Comfort | MRC magnetic suspension, ventilated front seats, refrigerated centre console |
| Convenience | Powered tailgate with height memory, wireless phone charging |
| Off-Road AWD — Additional Equipment | |
| Drivetrain | Front + rear electric motors (AWD), electronic differential lock |
| Off-Road | Terrain modes (Sand / Mud / Rock), enhanced underbody protection |

