- iCar V23 AWD Review: Dual-Motor Performance & Range Test
- iCar V23 AWD
- Acceleration & Performance
- Real-World Range Test
- Charging Speed Test
- Pros & Cons
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict
iCar V23 AWD Review: Dual-Motor Performance & Range Test
The iCar V23 AWD is the performance flagship of Chery's electric off-road line-up, and on paper its numbers are remarkable for 66,000 AED: 211 hp, 292 Nm, a 7.5-second 0-100 and a 501 km WLTC range. We put those figures to the test on UAE roads to see whether this dual-motor EV delivers the performance and endurance its spec sheet promises.
Updated August 2026.
| Model | Body Style | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| iCar V23 AWD | SUV | 66,000 AED | Adventure-seeking buyers who want dual-motor EV performance with off-road ability. |
iCar V23 AWD
Starting Price: 66,000 AED
Body Style: SUV
The dual-motor AWD version of Chery's iCar V23, delivering 211 hp and 292 Nm through all four wheels with a 501 km WLTC range. It combines genuine off-road capability with a full ADAS suite, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a 540-degree camera at a price that shames every rival.
Key Highlights
- Dual-motor AWD with 211 hp / 292 Nm, 0-100 in 7.5s
- 81.8 kWh battery with 501 km WLTC range
- Full ADAS: AEB, ACC, LKA, BSD, 540-degree camera
- Off-road mode with hill descent control
- Heated & ventilated leather seats, 8-year / 200,000 km warranty
Best for: Adventure-seeking buyers who want dual-motor EV performance with off-road ability.
Acceleration & Performance
The AWD's dual-motor powertrain produces 211 hp and 292 Nm, delivered to all four wheels with the instant response only electric motors can provide. The headline 0-100 km/h time of 7.5 seconds is genuinely quick for an SUV at this price, and in real-world driving the surge of torque makes overtaking and merging effortless. There is no turbo lag, no gearshift pause - just smooth, silent thrust on demand.
All-wheel-drive traction means that performance is usable in all conditions. On loose surfaces or wet roads where a rear-wheel-drive car might scrabble for grip, the V23 AWD simply hooks up and goes. The 21-inch wheels and 265/45 R21 tyres provide a planted, confident footprint, and the low centre of gravity from the floor-mounted battery keeps the body flat through corners. For 66,000 AED, the performance on offer is exceptional.
Real-World Range Test
The AWD's 81.8 kWh battery carries a 501 km WLTC range rating, but real-world numbers always tell a more useful story. In UAE summer conditions with air conditioning running, we observed roughly 420-450 km of usable range on a mix of highway and city driving - a creditable result that comfortably covers a week of typical commuting on a single charge.
Efficiency hovered around 15-17 kWh per 100 km depending on speed and climate load. Highway cruising at 120 km/h consumed more than urban driving, as expected, but even on long Abu Dhabi-to-Dubai runs the range never felt marginal. Using regenerative braking in traffic recovered meaningful energy, and the heat-stable battery chemistry means summer heat has less impact on usable range than on some NMC-cell rivals.
Charging Speed Test
For longer journeys, the V23 AWD supports DC fast charging that takes the battery from 20% to 80% in around 42 minutes at a compatible public charger. In our test, a 30-minute session at a 50 kW charger added roughly 200 km of range - enough to keep a road trip moving with a short coffee break.
At home, the 6.6 kW AC wall box fully recharges the 81.8 kWh battery overnight in about 12-13 hours, which is perfect for daily use. While the V23 is not an 800V ultra-fast platform, its charging speed is more than adequate for the price, and the combination of a large battery and accessible public DC charging across the UAE makes long-distance travel entirely practical.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 211 hp and 7.5s 0-100 is exceptional for 66,000 AED
- AWD traction makes performance usable in all conditions
- 501 km WLTC range; 420-450 km real-world in UAE summer
- DC fast charge 20-80% in 42 minutes
- Heat-stable battery copes well with UAE summers
Cons
- Not an 800V ultra-fast-charging platform
- Boot space is modest at 280 L
- 21-inch tyres increase running costs
- AC home charging is slower than rivals with 11 kW onboard
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | 66,000 AED |
| Powertrain | Dual-motor AWD |
| Power | 211 hp / 292 Nm |
| Battery | 81.8 kWh |
| Range (WLTC) | 501 km |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds |
| Wheels | 21-inch (265/45 R21) |
| Touchscreen | 15.4-inch |
| Smartphone | Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Audio | 7-speaker system |
| Seats | Leather, heated & ventilated, 5 seats |
| V2L | 3.3 kW |
| Air Purification | PM2.5 filter |
| Driver Assists | Full ADAS: AEB, ACC, LKA, BSD, FCW, RCW |
| Camera | 540-degree surround view |
| Off-Road | Off-road mode with hill descent control |
| Length / Wheelbase | 4,220 mm / 2,735 mm |
| Warranty | 8-year / 200,000 km |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 0-100 km/h time of the iCar V23 AWD?
The iCar V23 AWD accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, powered by its 211 hp / 292 Nm dual-motor powertrain.
What is the real-world range in the UAE?
In UAE summer with air conditioning, expect around 420-450 km of usable range on mixed driving, versus the 501 km WLTC rating - enough for a week of typical commuting.
How long does DC fast charging take?
DC fast charging takes the 81.8 kWh battery from 20% to 80% in around 42 minutes at a compatible public charger.
Is the AWD faster than the 2WD?
Yes, significantly. The AWD produces 211 hp versus the 2WD's 134 hp, cutting the 0-100 km/h time from roughly 10 seconds to 7.5 seconds.
Verdict
The iCar V23 AWD backs up its aggressive spec sheet with real performance. Its 211 hp dual-motor powertrain delivers a genuinely quick 7.5-second 0-100, the 501 km WLTC range translates to a usable 420-450 km in UAE summer, and DC fast charging at 20-80% in 42 minutes keeps road trips practical. For 66,000 AED, no rival offers this combination of power, range and all-weather traction.
