- iCar V23: Best Small Electric SUV for City & Weekend Adventures
- iCar V23 2WD
- iCar V23 AWD
- City Driving Experience
- Weekend Adventure Capability
- Charging & Range for Dual Use
- Pros & Cons
- Key Specifications: 2WD vs AWD
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict
iCar V23: Best Small Electric SUV for City & Weekend Adventures
Most small electric SUVs force a compromise: great for the city, useless at the weekend. The iCar V23 breaks that trade-off. Its compact 4,220 mm body and tight footprint make it easy to park and thread through Dubai traffic, while its boxy off-road design, available dual-motor AWD, off-road mode and V2L output make it genuinely capable for weekend desert trips. With a 401 km range on the 2WD and 501 km on the AWD, it covers the daily commute and the weekend escape in one package. Here is why the iCar V23 is the best small electric SUV for city and weekend adventures in the UAE.
Updated August 2026.
| Model | Body Style | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| iCar V23 2WD | SUV | 55,000 AED | Best small EV for the city - 401 km, 55,000 AED |
| iCar V23 AWD | SUV | 66,000 AED | Best small EV for weekend adventures - 501 km, 66,000 AED |
iCar V23 2WD
Starting Price: 55,000 AED
Body Style: SUV
A boxy off-road-styled compact electric SUV from Chery's iCar sub-brand. The V23 2WD pairs a 59.93 kWh CATL LFP battery with a 134 hp rear motor for 401 km of WLTC range, blending rugged adventure looks with zero-emission running costs at an unbeatable price.
Key Highlights
- 59.93 kWh CATL LFP battery with 401 km WLTC range
- Single motor 134 hp / 180 Nm, rear-wheel drive
- Boxy off-road design with rugged alloy wheels
- 15.4-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay & Android Auto
- 8-year / 200,000 km vehicle warranty
Best for: Young buyers who want an affordable, stylish electric SUV with off-road character.
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.
City Driving Experience
In the city, the V23's 4,220 mm length and 2,735 mm wheelbase make it genuinely easy to live with. It is short enough to slot into tight Dubai parking bays and narrow enough to thread through congested lanes, while the boxy upright body and large glass area give excellent all-round visibility for urban manoeuvring.
The 2WD trim is the natural city choice. Its 134 hp rear motor is plenty for urban speeds, its 59.93 kWh LFP battery delivers a 401 km WLTC range that covers a week of commuting on a single charge, and its lighter single-motor layout maximises efficiency. Charging at home overnight keeps it topped up for the daily grind.
With a 15.4-inch touchscreen, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7-speaker sound system, the cabin is a comfortable, connected place to sit in city traffic - and the 8-year warranty means peace of mind for daily use.
Weekend Adventure Capability
Come the weekend, the AWD trim turns the V23 into a capable adventure SUV. Dual-motor AWD delivers 211 hp and 292 Nm to all four wheels, the Off-Road mode softens the throttle for soft sand, and Hill Descent Control manages steep dune drops - a genuine off-road toolkit in a compact body.
The 3.3 kW V2L output powers camping fridges, lights and devices from the 81.8 kWh battery, turning the V23 into a mobile base camp, while the 540-degree camera helps place the wheels precisely on technical trails. The 501 km WLTC range covers a full day of exploring plus the drive home.
It is this dual character - compact and easy in the week, capable and self-sufficient at the weekend - that makes the V23 the best small electric SUV for buyers who refuse to choose between city and adventure.
Charging & Range for Dual Use
For dual city-and-adventure use, the V23's charging and range story is well matched to both roles. The 2WD's 401 km WLTC range comfortably covers a week of city commuting on a single overnight charge, while the AWD's 501 km range is enough for a full weekend desert trip plus the return journey.
Home AC charging fully replenishes either battery overnight - typically 7-9 hours on a 7 kW wall box - which suits the city routine of charging while you sleep. For weekend trips, DC fast charging on the UAE's growing public network restores 30-80 percent of the range in around 35-45 minutes, enough for a meal break on a road trip.
With sensible charging habits, the V23 handles the weekday commute and the weekend escape without range anxiety - the hallmark of a great dual-purpose small electric SUV.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compact 4,220 mm body is easy to park and manoeuvre in the city
- 2WD's 401 km range covers a week of commuting on one charge
- AWD's dual-motor, off-road mode and hill descent handle weekend desert trips
- 3.3 kW V2L powers camping gear for weekend adventures
- 501 km AWD range covers a full day of exploring plus the drive home
- 15.4-inch screen, wireless CarPlay and 7-speaker audio for daily comfort
Cons
- 280 L boot is tight for both city shopping and weekend gear
- 2WD's 134 hp is modest for highway overtaking on weekend trips
- Full adventure kit (AWD, off-road mode, 540-degree camera) costs 11,000 AED more
Key Specifications: 2WD vs AWD
| Specification | iCar V23 2WD | iCar V23 AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price (AED) | 55,000 | 66,000 |
| Powertrain | Single-motor RWD | Dual-motor AWD |
| Power | 134 hp / 180 Nm | 211 hp / 292 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | n/a | 7.5 s |
| Battery | 59.93 kWh (LFP) | 81.8 kWh |
| Range (WLTC) | 401 km | 501 km |
| Drivetrain | RWD | Dual-motor AWD |
| Off-Road Mode | No | Yes (hill descent) |
| ADAS | Basic | Full (AEB, ACC, LKA, BSD) |
| 540-degree Camera | No | Yes |
| Heated/Ventilated Seats | No | Yes |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | 3.3 kW |
| Warranty | 8 yr / 200,000 km | 8 yr / 200,000 km |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iCar V23 good for both city driving and weekend adventures?
Yes. Its compact 4,220 mm body is easy to park and thread through city traffic, while the AWD trim's dual-motor AWD, Off-Road mode, Hill Descent Control and V2L make it genuinely capable for weekend desert trips. The 2WD is ideal for the city; the AWD is the weekend adventurer.
Which iCar V23 trim should I choose for city driving?
The 2WD is the natural city choice. Its 134 hp rear motor is plenty for urban speeds, its 401 km WLTC range covers a week of commuting on a single charge, and its lighter single-motor layout maximises efficiency - all for 55,000 AED.
How far can the iCar V23 go on a single charge for weekend trips?
The AWD trim's 81.8 kWh battery delivers a 501 km WLTC range, enough for a full day of desert exploring plus the drive home. DC fast charging restores 30-80 percent of the range in around 35-45 minutes for longer trips, and V2L powers your camp gear from the battery.
Is the iCar V23 easy to park in Dubai?
Yes. At 4,220 mm long with a boxy, high-visibility body, it slots into tight parking bays and narrow lanes easily, and the large glass area gives excellent all-round visibility for urban manoeuvring. The AWD trim's 540-degree camera further eases parking in tight spots.
Verdict
The iCar V23 is the best small electric SUV for city and weekend adventures because it refuses the usual compromise. Its compact 4,220 mm body, 401 km 2WD range and connected cabin make it a superb city car, while the AWD trim's dual-motor AWD, off-road mode, hill descent, 540-degree camera, V2L and 501 km range make it a genuine weekend adventurer. For buyers who want one small EV that handles the daily commute and the weekend escape, the iCar V23 is the standout choice.
