iCar V23: The Best Chinese Electric Car for UAE Off-Road Enthusiasts

iCar V23: The Best Chinese Electric Car for UAE Off-Road Enthusiasts

Off-road enthusiasts in the UAE have had to choose between capable petrol 4x4s and efficient but road-biased EVs - until now. The iCar V23 AWD is the first Chinese electric car built explicitly for off-road enthusiasts, combining dual-motor all-wheel drive, instant electric torque, a dedicated off-road mode and a 540-degree camera in a boxy adventure body. With a 501 km WLTC range and a 66,000 AED price, it lets desert drivers go electric without giving up capability. For off-road enthusiasts who want a Chinese EV, the V23 AWD is the only real choice. Here is our full review.

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.

Why Electric for Off-Road

Electric power is surprisingly well suited to off-road driving. The V23's motors deliver maximum torque from zero rpm, so the moment you touch the throttle the SUV pulls - ideal for crawling over rocks or maintaining momentum in soft sand where a petrol engine needs revs and risks wheelspin.

The floor-mounted battery gives the V23 a low centre of gravity, which keeps it stable on side slopes and uneven ground where a tall petrol 4x4 might feel top-heavy. And because there is no engine noise, the driver can hear the terrain and the tyres - a genuine advantage when picking a line through a tricky wadi.

Add precise, instant throttle control and the ability to creep smoothly at walking pace, and the electric powertrain is a natural fit for the deliberate, controlled driving that off-road enthusiasts prize.

Off-Road Hardware

The V23 AWD's off-road hardware starts with its dual-motor all-wheel-drive layout, which puts 211 hp and 292 Nm to all four wheels for traction on loose and slippery surfaces. The 21-inch wheels and raised ground clearance give the obstacle clearance of a proper adventure SUV, while the boxy body and short overhangs allow steep approach and departure angles.

The suspension is tuned to absorb desert corrugations and rocky tracks without bottoming out, and the rugged body cladding protects the sills and arches from stone damage. While the V23 does not offer a low-range transfer case or locking differentials, its electronic traction aids and dual-motor torque vectoring cover the vast majority of real-world off-road scenarios.

For the kind of desert and wadi driving most UAE enthusiasts actually do, this hardware is more than sufficient - and it does so silently and without a fuel bill.

Trail & Desert Capability

On desert tracks, the V23 AWD's Off-Road mode softens the throttle and re-tunes the traction control to allow the controlled wheelspin that helps the tyres dig through soft sand rather than bogging down. Maintaining momentum - the golden rule of sand driving - is easy with instant electric torque on tap.

On steeper dune drops and rocky descents, Hill Descent Control holds the SUV at a steady crawl without brake input, while the 540-degree camera gives a bird's-eye plus under-floor view so the driver can place each wheel precisely. The raised ground clearance and short overhangs mean the V23 can tackle approach and departure angles that road-biased EVs cannot.

The result is a Chinese electric car that can genuinely hold its own on UAE trails and dunes - not a poser, but a real off-road tool for enthusiasts who happen to want electric.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Dual-motor AWD with instant electric torque ideal for off-road traction
• Low centre of gravity from floor-mounted battery aids stability on slopes
• Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control tuned for sand and loose descents
• 540-degree camera for precise wheel placement on technical trails
• 501 km WLTC range for full-day off-road trips
• Silent operation lets the driver hear the terrain

Cons

• No low-range transfer case or diff locks for hard-core rock crawling
• 280 L boot limits gear capacity for extended off-road expeditions
• Off-road hardware is largely confined to the AWD trim

Key Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the iCar V23 good for dune driving in the UAE?

Yes. The AWD trim's dual-motor layout, instant torque, Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control make it well suited to dune driving. The Off-Road mode allows controlled wheelspin to cut through soft sand, and the 540-degree camera helps place the wheels on cresting and dropping dunes.

Why would an off-road enthusiast choose an electric car?

Electric power offers instant torque from zero rpm for precise crawling, a low centre of gravity for stability on slopes, smooth low-speed control and silent operation that lets you hear the terrain. The V23 AWD adds dual-motor AWD and off-road modes, so you get capability without a fuel bill.

What are the limits of the iCar V23 off-road?

The V23 AWD handles sand, gravel and desert tracks confidently, but it is not a hard-core rock crawler - there is no low-range transfer case or locking differentials. The 280 L boot also limits gear for extended expeditions, so roof storage is recommended for serious trips.

Verdict

The iCar V23 AWD is the best Chinese electric car for UAE off-road enthusiasts because it is the only one built for them. Dual-motor AWD, instant torque, a low centre of gravity, an Off-Road mode, Hill Descent Control and a 540-degree camera give it genuine trail and desert capability, while the 501 km range and silent operation make the electric case for adventure. For enthusiasts who want to go electric without losing capability, the V23 AWD is the answer.