iCar V23 vs Best Chinese Electric SUVs: Chery's Off-Road EV Showdown

iCar V23 vs Best Chinese Electric SUVs: Chery's Off-Road EV Showdown

The Chinese electric SUV market is crowded, but most contenders are road-biased crossovers chasing the same urban buyer. The iCar V23 AWD takes a different path, wrapping a dual-motor AWD powertrain and genuine off-road mode in a boxy adventure body - and pricing it at just 66,000 AED. To see how it stacks up, we compared it with the BYD Atto 3, MG ZS EV and Geely EX5, the three most relevant Chinese electric SUVs in the UAE. The showdown reveals why the V23's off-road focus and value make it the standout choice. Here is the head-to-head.

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.

Price Comparison

On price, the iCar V23 AWD wins decisively. At 66,000 AED it undercuts the MG ZS EV (85,000 AED) by 19,000 AED, the Geely EX5 (95,000 AED) by 29,000 AED and the BYD Atto 3 (110,000 AED) by 44,000 AED - and it is the only one of the four with dual-motor AWD.

Even the V23 2WD, at 55,000 AED, is cheaper than every rival here while still offering a 401 km WLTC range that beats the MG ZS EV's 320 km. For buyers shopping on budget, the V23 line-up sets the entry point for the entire Chinese electric SUV class.

The price gap is large enough that the rivals need a clear spec advantage to justify it - and as the rest of this comparison shows, in most areas the V23 matches or beats them.

Range & Performance Comparison

On range, the V23 AWD's 501 km WLTC figure leads the group, beating the Geely EX5 (430 km WLTP), BYD Atto 3 (420 km WLTP) and MG ZS EV (320 km). For UAE driving, that extra range translates directly into fewer charging stops on intercity trips.

On performance, the V23 AWD's 211 hp is competitive with the Geely EX5's 218 hp and BYD Atto 3's 204 hp, and well ahead of the MG ZS EV's 176 hp. Its 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is on par with the Atto 3's 7.3 seconds. Crucially, the V23 is the only one to put that power through all four wheels.

The BYD Atto 3 and Geely EX5 offer larger boots (440 L and 430 L vs the V23's 280 L), which is the one area the rivals clearly lead - a real consideration for family buyers.

Off-Road Capability Comparison

This is where the iCar V23 leaves the others behind. It is the only one of the four with dual-motor AWD, a dedicated Off-Road mode, Hill Descent Control and a 540-degree camera. The BYD Atto 3, MG ZS EV and Geely EX5 are all single-motor, front-wheel-drive crossovers with no off-road driving modes.

The V23's boxy body, short overhangs and 21-inch wheels give it the geometry and clearance of an adventure SUV, while the rivals' aerodynamic, road-focused shapes are built for efficiency and urban comfort. For UAE buyers who want to venture onto desert tracks or gravel trails, only the V23 is designed for it.

In short, if off-road capability matters at all, the comparison is effectively over before it starts - the iCar V23 AWD is the sole contender built for adventure.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Cheapest of the four at 66,000 AED and the only one with AWD
• Longest range at 501 km WLTC, beating the Atto 3 and EX5
• Only contender with an Off-Road mode, hill descent and 540-degree camera
• Dual-motor AWD for traction the FWD rivals cannot match
• Full ADAS and heated/ventilated leather at the lowest price
• 8-year / 200,000 km warranty, the longest here

Cons

• 280 L boot is the smallest of the four; rivals offer 430-448 L
• Newer brand with a smaller UAE service network than BYD or MG
• No 800V fast charging, unlike some pricier EVs

Spec Comparison: iCar V23 AWD vs Rivals

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better value: the iCar V23 AWD or the BYD Atto 3?

The iCar V23 AWD. It costs 44,000 AED less than the BYD Atto 3 (66,000 vs 110,000 AED), yet offers more power (211 vs 204 hp), a longer range (501 vs 420 km), dual-motor AWD and off-road modes the Atto 3 lacks. The Atto 3's advantages are a larger 440 L boot and a more established brand network.

Why is the iCar V23 the only off-road-capable Chinese electric SUV here?

It is the only one of the four with dual-motor AWD, an Off-Road mode, Hill Descent Control and a 540-degree camera. The BYD Atto 3, MG ZS EV and Geely EX5 are all single-motor front-wheel-drive crossovers designed for the road, with no off-road driving modes.

Does the iCar V23's smaller boot matter?

It depends on your needs. The V23's 280 L boot is the smallest here, so families prioritising cargo may prefer the BYD Atto 3 (440 L) or Geely EX5 (430 L). For adventure buyers who value off-road ability and V2L camping over maximum cargo, the V23's strengths outweigh the boot size.

Which of these Chinese electric SUVs has the longest range?

The iCar V23 AWD, at 501 km WLTC, leads the group - ahead of the Geely EX5 (430 km), BYD Atto 3 (420 km) and MG ZS EV (320 km). That extra range means fewer charging stops on UAE intercity trips.

Verdict

In a showdown of China's best electric SUVs, the iCar V23 AWD wins on the two things that matter most here - price and capability. At 66,000 AED it is far cheaper than the BYD Atto 3, MG ZS EV and Geely EX5, yet it is the only one with dual-motor AWD, an Off-Road mode, hill descent and a 540-degree camera, and it leads on range at 501 km. The rivals' larger boots are their main advantage, but for buyers who want the most capable and best-value Chinese electric SUV, the iCar V23 AWD is the clear winner.