iCar V23: The Best Adventure SUV Under 70K AED in 2026

iCar V23: The Best Adventure SUV Under 70K AED in 2026

Adventure SUVs have traditionally meant thirsty petrol 4x4s, but the iCar V23 rewrites that script for 2026. With a boxy, upright body, dual-motor all-wheel drive, a 540-degree camera, hill descent control and 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load output for camping, the AWD trim is a purpose-built adventure machine - and at 66,000 AED it sits comfortably under the 70K mark. It blends genuine off-road intent with zero-emission running costs and a 501 km range, making it the most capable adventure SUV for the money in the UAE. Here is why the iCar V23 is the best adventure SUV under 70K AED in 2026.

Updated August 2026.

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.

Adventure Design Elements

The V23 looks like an adventure SUV before you turn a wheel. Its boxy silhouette, flat roofline and near-vertical tailgate echo classic off-roaders rather than wind-tunnel-cropped crossovers, while short front and rear overhangs leave room for the wheels to climb before the bodywork arrives. At 4,220 mm long it is compact enough for tight trails yet tall enough to clear desert tracks.

Rugged body cladding around the wheel arches and sills protects the paintwork from stones and scrub, and the 21-inch wheels on the AWD trim give the stance and obstacle clearance of a proper adventure SUV. The tough lower bumpers are designed to take desert contact without costly damage.

This is not a city crossover dressed up with plastic cladding - the V23's shape is functional adventure architecture, and it makes the SUV feel genuinely capable before you ever leave the tarmac.

Off-Road Tech Features

The AWD trim's off-road technology is what turns the boxy body into a real adventure tool. A dedicated Off-Road mode recalibrates the powertrain for low-grip surfaces, softening throttle response and tuning the traction control to allow the controlled wheelspin that cuts through soft sand rather than bogging down.

Hill Descent Control takes over on steep, loose descents, holding the V23 at a steady crawl without the driver touching the brakes - invaluable on dune drops where locking a wheel would slide the vehicle sideways. The 540-degree camera stitches a bird's-eye view with an under-floor perspective, so the driver can place each wheel precisely even when the terrain ahead is invisible from the seat.

Together, these systems give the V23 a coherent, purpose-built off-road toolkit that few SUVs - petrol or electric - offer under 70K AED.

Adventure Practicality

Adventure practicality is where the V23's electric powertrain earns its keep. The 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) output turns the SUV into a mobile power station, running camping fridges, lights, laptops or a coffee maker straight from the 81.8 kWh battery - no petrol generator needed. For a weekend camp, that is genuinely transformative.

The 501 km WLTC range covers a full day of exploring plus the drive home, and the boxy body and roofline are well suited to roof racks and additional cargo for overlanding kit. While the 280 L boot is modest, the adventure-focused buyer will lean on roof storage and the V2L ecosystem to compensate.

Net, the V23 AWD is a self-sufficient adventure platform - quiet, capable and able to power your camp - all for 66,000 AED.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Boxy, functional adventure design with short overhangs and 21-inch wheels
• Dual-motor AWD with 211 hp for real off-road traction
• Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control tuned for sand and loose surfaces
• 540-degree camera for precise wheel placement on technical terrain
• 3.3 kW V2L turns the SUV into a mobile camp power station
• 501 km WLTC range for full-day adventures

Cons

• 280 L boot limits internal cargo for longer overlanding trips
• No low-range transfer case or diff locks for hard-core rock crawling
• Adventure toolkit is largely AWD-trim only; the 2WD is rear-drive

Key Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the iCar V23 really be used for camping and overlanding?

Yes. The 3.3 kW V2L output powers camping fridges, lights and devices from the battery, the 501 km range covers a full day of driving, and the boxy body suits roof racks for extra cargo. The main limitation is the modest 280 L boot, so roof storage is recommended for longer trips.

How capable is the iCar V23 off-road compared to a petrol 4x4?

The AWD trim handles sand, gravel and desert tracks confidently thanks to dual-motor AWD, an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control. It is not a hard-core rock crawler - there is no low-range transfer case or diff locks - but for the adventure driving most UAE owners actually do, it is more than capable.

Is 66,000 AED good value for an adventure SUV?

Exceptional. The V23 AWD is the only SUV under 70K AED that combines dual-motor AWD, a 540-degree camera, off-road modes, hill descent and V2L. Petrol adventure SUVs with similar kit cost far more, and no other electric SUV at this price offers comparable off-road focus.

Verdict

The iCar V23 AWD is the best adventure SUV under 70K AED in 2026 because it is the only vehicle at this price that takes adventure seriously across design, technology and practicality. Its boxy body, dual-motor AWD, Off-Road mode, Hill Descent Control, 540-degree camera and 3.3 kW V2L form a complete adventure package, backed by a 501 km range and an 8-year warranty. For UAE buyers who want a capable, self-sufficient adventure SUV without breaching 70K, the V23 AWD is the standout choice.