iCAUR V23 Pros and Cons: Honest Assessment After 6 Months of UAE Driving

iCAUR V23 Pros and Cons: Honest Assessment After 6 Months of UAE Driving

Six months and several thousand kilometres into iCAUR V23 ownership in the UAE, it is time for an honest reckoning. The V23 has impressed in many ways, but no car is perfect. This balanced assessment covers genuine strengths and real weaknesses to help you decide whether Chery's electric off-roader is right for you.

Updated August 2026.

The Pros — What the V23 Gets Right

1. Exceptional Value for Money

At 66,000 AED for the AWD, the V23 undercuts almost every comparable AWD EV in the UAE by a huge margin. You get dual-motor AWD, 501 km of range, full ADAS, a 540-degree camera and heated/ventilated leather seats — features that cost far more in rival vehicles.

2. Excellent Real-World Range

The 501 km WLTC figure translates to roughly 430-450 km in real UAE driving with air-conditioning. That is more than enough for a week of commuting and weekend trips without charging anxiety. The 81.8 kWh battery is generously sized for the price.

3. Standout Boxy Design

Six months in, the V23 still turns heads. Its G-Class and Bronco-inspired boxy styling is unique in this price bracket and ages well. The 21-inch wheels and rugged stance give it presence that generic compact SUVs simply cannot match.

4. Genuine AWD and Off-Road Capability

The dual-motor AWD with off-road mode and hill descent control has handled Al Qudra desert tracks and Hatta gravel roads with confidence. The 540-degree camera is invaluable off-road. This is a real SUV, not just a tall hatchback.

5. Long Warranty

The 8-year / 200,000 km warranty provides genuine long-term peace of mind. It covers the car well beyond the typical UAE ownership cycle and protects the expensive battery and drivetrain.

6. Strong Tech Package

The 15.4-inch touchscreen is crisp and responsive, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto work flawlessly, and the full ADAS suite (AEB, ACC, LKA, BSD) operates reliably on UAE highways. The 540-degree camera is genuinely useful for tight parking.

The Cons — Honest Weaknesses

1. Limited Boot Space (280 L)

This is the biggest practical drawback. At 280 L, the boot is tight for a family SUV and struggles with luggage for road trips or airport runs. Rivals like the Changan UNI-K (518 L) and BYD Song Plus (574 L) offer far more cargo space.

2. Brand Newness in the UAE

iCAUR is Chery's new electric sub-brand and is still establishing itself in the UAE. Some buyers are cautious about an unfamiliar badge, and brand awareness is lower than established rivals. This affects confidence and, potentially, resale value.

3. Service Network Still Growing

While service centres are expanding, the network is not yet as dense as more established brands. Owners outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi may face longer trips for servicing. This should improve as the brand grows.

4. Resale Value Uncertainty

As a new brand and a Chinese EV, the V23's long-term resale value is unproven. Unlike established Japanese or German brands with known depreciation curves, the V23's future used-market value is an unknown. Buyers who change cars frequently should factor this in.

5. Wireless-Only CarPlay

The V23 offers wireless CarPlay and Android Auto but no wired option. While wireless is convenient, some users experience occasional connection drops, and a wired fallback would be reassuring on long trips where you also want to charge the phone.

6. 280 L Limitation Affects Versatility

Beyond just the raw number, the boot's shape and the boxy design mean practical loading is constrained. Folding seats help, but for a car that looks like an adventure SUV, the cargo capacity does not match the image.

Pros & Cons Summary

Key Specs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest downside of the iCAUR V23?

The 280 L boot space. For a car with SUV styling, the cargo area is noticeably tight and is the most common complaint after six months of ownership, especially for families and road trips.

Is the iCAUR V23 reliable after six months?

So far, yes. No major mechanical or battery issues have surfaced. The 8-year / 200,000 km warranty provides additional reassurance, though long-term reliability data is still accumulating.

Does the V23 hold its value?

Resale value is uncertain because iCAUR is a new brand in the UAE. If you plan to keep the car for many years, this matters less. If you change cars every 2-3 years, factor in potential depreciation.

Would you buy the V23 again?

For the price, yes. The combination of AWD, 501 km range, distinctive design and comprehensive tech at 66,000 AED is hard to beat. The boot space is the main compromise, but for most daily UAE use the V23 is an excellent value proposition.

Verdict

After six months of UAE driving, the iCAUR V23 AWD is an honest win on value. Its strengths — price, range, design, AWD capability, warranty and tech — far outweigh its weaknesses for most buyers. The 280 L boot, brand newness, growing service network and unproven resale are real compromises, but they are honest ones for a car that costs 66,000 AED. If you can live with the boot space and are comfortable with a new brand, the V23 is one of the most compelling EV values in the UAE today.