iCar V23 vs Tank 300: Off-Road EV vs Off-Road Diesel Comparison

iCar V23 vs Tank 300: Off-Road EV vs Off-Road Diesel Comparison

The iCar V23 AWD and the Tank 300 represent two fundamentally different approaches to off-roading in the UAE. The iCar V23 AWD is an electric SUV with 211 hp, dual-motor AWD and 501 km of range at 66,000 AED. The Tank 300 is a body-on-frame off-road specialist with a 2.0L turbo producing 224 hp, 9 terrain modes and diff locks at 119,900 AED. One brings electric efficiency to the desert; the other brings traditional mechanical off-road credibility. This comparison explores which philosophy suits your UAE adventures.

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.

Tank 300

Starting Price: 119,900 AED

Body Style: SUV

A body-on-frame off-road SUV with a 2.0L turbo producing 224 hp, 9 terrain modes and front+rear diff locks. The Tank 300 rivals the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado for off-road capability at roughly half the price.

Key Highlights

• 2.0L turbo with 224 hp, 8-speed auto
• 9 terrain modes incl. Sand mode
• Front + rear diff locks, 700mm wading
• Body-on-frame off-road architecture
• 5-year / 150,000 km warranty

Best for: Desert drivers who want serious off-road ability without Land Cruiser money.

Off-Road Philosophy Comparison

The Tank 300 follows a traditional off-road philosophy: body-on-frame construction, a low-range transfer case, front and rear differential locks and 9 terrain modes. This is the same architecture used by the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Jeep Wrangler. It is built for serious rock crawling, deep wadi crossings and sustained desert driving where mechanical durability is paramount.

The iCar V23 AWD takes a modern electric approach: dual motors provide instant torque to all four wheels, electronic traction control manages grip at millisecond speed, and an off-road mode with hill descent control handles steep descents. There is no low-range gearbox or mechanical diff locks, but the electric motors' precise torque delivery can be more effective than mechanical systems in sand and loose surfaces.

In essence, the Tank 300 is for purists who want proven mechanical off-road capability, while the iCar V23 AWD is for tech-forward adventurers who want electric efficiency with enough off-road ability for most UAE desert and wadi scenarios.

Performance & Capability

The Tank 300's 2.0L turbo produces 224 hp — slightly more than the iCar's 211 hp — and its 8-speed automatic and low-range transfer case give it crawling ability the iCar cannot match. Front and rear diff locks allow the Tank to keep moving even when two wheels are completely airborne, and its 700 mm wading depth is significantly deeper than typical electric SUVs.

The iCar V23 AWD counters with 292 Nm of instant electric torque available from zero rpm. In sand, instant torque is a major advantage — there is no turbo lag or gear-shift interruption to break momentum. The dual-motor AWD system can also direct torque to individual wheels electronically, simulating the effect of a limited-slip differential.

For most UAE off-road scenarios — dune driving, wadi trails and desert camping — the iCar V23 AWD is more than capable. For extreme off-roading like rock crawling, deep mud or sustained low-speed technical terrain, the Tank 300's mechanical systems remain superior.

Price & Running Costs

The price gap is enormous: the iCar V23 AWD costs 66,000 AED while the Tank 300 costs 119,900 AED — a difference of 53,900 AED. The iCar is nearly half the price of the Tank, which makes it accessible to a far wider range of UAE buyers.

Running costs favour the iCar even more dramatically. At roughly 78 AED per month in electricity for 20,000 km per year, the iCar costs a fraction of the Tank 300's petrol bill. The Tank's 2.0L turbo consumes approximately 10-12 L/100 km in mixed driving, meaning roughly 465-560 AED per month in petrol — up to seven times the iCar's energy cost.

Maintenance also favours the electric iCar: no oil changes, no spark plugs, no transmission fluid changes. The Tank 300's complex mechanical drivetrain requires regular servicing of its transfer case, differentials and turbocharger. Over five years, the total cost of ownership difference could exceed 70,000 AED.

Which for Which Buyer?

Choose the Tank 300 if you are a serious off-road enthusiast who regularly tackles technical terrain, needs diff locks and low-range gearing, and wants proven mechanical durability. The Tank is also the better choice if you plan extended desert expeditions far from charging infrastructure.

Choose the iCar V23 AWD if you want an adventure-capable SUV for weekend dune driving and wadi trips, but spend most of your time commuting in the city. The iCar gives you off-road character and AWD traction with zero-emission running costs, all at less than half the Tank's price. It is the smarter choice for the 90 percent of UAE buyers whose off-roading is occasional rather than extreme.

Pros & Cons

iCar V23 AWD

Pros:

• Nearly half the price at 66,000 AED vs 119,900 AED
• Instant electric torque ideal for sand driving
• Roughly 80% lower monthly running costs
• Zero emissions and minimal maintenance
• 501 km range for daily commuting and weekend trips

Cons:

• No low-range transfer case or diff locks
• Not suited for extreme technical off-roading
• Smaller 280 L boot limits expedition gear

Tank 300

Pros:

• Body-on-frame with low-range and front/rear diff locks
• 9 terrain modes including dedicated Sand mode
• 700 mm wading depth for deep wadi crossings
• 224 hp turbo with proven mechanical durability
• Larger 400 L boot for expedition gear

Cons:

• 53,900 AED more expensive than the iCar V23 AWD
• Petrol running costs are up to 7x higher
• Higher maintenance with complex drivetrain
• Heavier and less efficient for daily city driving

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the iCar V23 AWD go off-road in the desert?

Yes, the iCar V23 AWD's dual-motor system, instant torque and off-road mode with hill descent control make it capable for most UAE desert driving, dune bashing and wadi trails. It is not designed for extreme rock crawling but handles recreational off-roading confidently.

Is the Tank 300 worth the extra 54,000 AED?

Only if you need its serious mechanical off-road capability — diff locks, low-range gearing and 700 mm wading depth. For most UAE buyers whose off-roading is occasional, the iCar V23 AWD offers 90 percent of the capability at less than half the price.

Which is cheaper to run, the iCar V23 or Tank 300?

The iCar V23 AWD is dramatically cheaper to run, costing approximately 78 AED per month in electricity versus the Tank 300's 465-560 AED per month in petrol — a saving of up to 85 percent.

Can the iCar V23 wade through water like the Tank 300?

The iCar V23 AWD can handle shallow wadi crossings, but its wading depth is not rated to the Tank 300's 700 mm. The Tank 300 is the safer choice for deep water crossings.

Verdict

The iCar V23 AWD and Tank 300 serve different off-road buyers. The Tank 300 is the uncompromising choice for serious enthusiasts who need diff locks, low-range gearing and 700 mm wading depth. But for the vast majority of UAE adventurers, the iCar V23 AWD delivers more than enough off-road capability at less than half the price, with running costs that are up to 85 percent lower. Unless you regularly tackle extreme technical terrain, the iCar V23 AWD is the smarter, more economical off-road EV for 2026.