iCar V23 vs Haval Jolion: Chinese Compact SUV Head-to-Head

iCar V23 vs Haval Jolion: Chinese Compact SUV Head-to-Head

The iCar V23 AWD and the Haval Jolion are two Chinese compact SUVs priced almost identically for the UAE market — 66,000 AED versus 68,000 AED. The critical difference is that the iCar V23 is a fully electric SUV with 211 hp and 501 km of range, while the Jolion is a conventional petrol SUV with a 1.5L turbo producing 141 hp. At nearly the same price, this head-to-head asks a fundamental question: should you go electric or stick with petrol?

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.

Haval Jolion

Starting Price: 68,000 AED

Body Style: SUV

A compact SUV with a 1.5L turbo producing 141 hp. The Jolion is Haval's urban family model, sitting below the H6 with a smaller footprint and a sharper entry price.

Key Highlights

• 1.5L turbo with 141 hp
• 7-speed DCT, FWD
• 430 L boot expanding to 1,233 L
• Urban-friendly compact footprint
• 7-year / 200,000 km warranty

Best for: Urban families who want a compact, well-warrantied SUV.

Price & Value

At just 2,000 AED apart — 66,000 AED for the iCar V23 AWD and 68,000 AED for the Haval Jolion — these two SUVs are effectively the same price. But what you get for that money is vastly different. The iCar V23 AWD gives you 211 hp, dual-motor AWD, 501 km of electric range and a full ADAS suite. The Jolion gives you 141 hp, front-wheel drive and a conventional petrol powertrain.

On a pure specification-per-dirham basis, the iCar V23 AWD is dramatically better value. You get 70 more horsepower, all-wheel drive and zero-emission running for 2,000 AED less. The Jolion's advantage is familiarity — it is a proven petrol SUV from Haval's established UAE line-up with a larger dealer network.

When you factor in the iCar's vastly lower running costs, the value gap widens further. Over five years, the iCar V23 AWD could save you 18,000+ AED in fuel costs alone compared to the Jolion, making the total cost of ownership comparison lopsided in the iCar's favour.

Electric vs Petrol Running Costs

The iCar V23 AWD costs approximately 78 AED per month in electricity for 20,000 km of annual driving, based on UAE off-peak home charging rates. The Haval Jolion's 1.5L turbo consumes roughly 8 L/100 km, meaning approximately 387 AED per month in petrol at current UAE fuel prices. That is nearly five times the iCar's monthly energy cost.

Over a five-year ownership period, the iCar V23 AWD's energy costs total approximately 4,700 AED, while the Jolion's petrol costs reach approximately 23,200 AED — a difference of over 18,000 AED. The iCar also requires less maintenance: no oil changes, no spark plugs and no transmission fluid, saving an additional 3,000-5,000 AED over five years.

When you combine the 2,000 AED purchase price advantage with 18,000+ AED in fuel savings and 3,000-5,000 AED in maintenance savings, the iCar V23 AWD is roughly 23,000-25,000 AED cheaper to own over five years than the Haval Jolion — despite both starting at nearly the same price.

Space & Practicality

The Haval Jolion wins on practicality. Its 430 L boot (expanding to 1,233 L with seats folded) is significantly larger than the iCar V23's 280 L boot. The Jolion's cabin is also more conventional, with a traditional SUV layout that families will find familiar and spacious.

The iCar V23's boxy design gives it a taller, more upright cabin, but the 280 L boot is noticeably smaller and limits luggage capacity for family trips. The iCar's strengths are in technology and capability rather than cargo space.

For daily commuting and weekend trips with light luggage, the iCar's boot is adequate. For families who regularly carry strollers, groceries and holiday luggage, the Jolion's larger boot is a meaningful advantage.

Features & Warranty

The iCar V23 AWD is loaded with technology: a 15.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a full ADAS suite (AEB, ACC, lane-keep assist, blind-spot detection), a 540-degree camera and heated and ventilated leather seats. These features are typically found in SUVs costing twice as much.

The Haval Jolion comes with a more conventional feature set: a standard touchscreen, 7 airbags, AEB and a 360-degree camera. It is well-equipped for the price but cannot match the iCar's 540-degree camera, ventilated seats or comprehensive ADAS suite.

On warranty, the iCar V23's 8-year / 200,000 km package edges out the Jolion's 7-year / 200,000 km coverage, giving iCar buyers an extra year of protection with the same kilometre limit.

Pros & Cons

iCar V23 AWD

Pros:

• 2,000 AED cheaper at 66,000 AED
• 70 more horsepower at 211 hp with AWD
• Roughly 80% lower monthly running costs
• Full ADAS with 540-degree camera and ventilated seats
• 8-year / 200,000 km warranty

Cons:

• Smaller 280 L boot limits family practicality
• Requires home or public charging infrastructure
• Newer brand with fewer UAE service centres

Haval Jolion

Pros:

• Larger 430 L boot (1,233 L with seats folded)
• No charging infrastructure needed
• Proven petrol powertrain from established Haval brand
• 7-year / 200,000 km warranty
• Familiar, spacious family SUV layout

Cons:

• 2,000 AED more expensive
• Less power at 141 hp and FWD only
• Petrol running costs are nearly 5x higher
• Fewer standard tech features

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, the iCar V23 AWD or Haval Jolion?

The iCar V23 AWD is 2,000 AED cheaper at 66,000 AED versus the Haval Jolion at 68,000 AED. When you factor in running costs, the iCar is over 23,000 AED cheaper to own over five years.

Which is more powerful, the iCar V23 or Haval Jolion?

The iCar V23 AWD is significantly more powerful at 211 hp versus the Jolion's 141 hp — a difference of 70 horsepower. The iCar also has all-wheel drive versus the Jolion's front-wheel drive.

Which has more boot space?

The Haval Jolion has a much larger boot at 430 L (expanding to 1,233 L) compared to the iCar V23's 280 L. Families who need cargo space should consider the Jolion.

Which has a better warranty?

The iCar V23 AWD has an 8-year / 200,000 km warranty versus the Jolion's 7-year / 200,000 km warranty, giving the iCar an extra year of coverage at the same kilometre limit.

Verdict

At nearly the same purchase price, the iCar V23 AWD is the clear winner. It gives you 70 more horsepower, all-wheel drive, a full ADAS suite and 80 percent lower running costs for 2,000 AED less. The Haval Jolion fights back with a larger boot and the familiarity of a proven petrol powertrain, making it the better choice for families who prioritise cargo space and don't want to deal with charging. But for most UAE buyers, the iCar V23 AWD offers superior value, performance and technology at the same price point.