- iCAUR V23 vs BYD Song Plus: Electric vs PHEV — Which Saves More Money?
- iCAUR V23 AWD — The Pure-Electric Value Champion
- BYD Song Plus PHEV — The DM-i Hybrid
- Purchase Price — The 59,000 AED Gap
- Fuel vs Electricity — 5-Year Cost Analysis
- Practicality Trade-Off
- Pros & Cons
- Full Spec Comparison
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict
iCAUR V23 vs BYD Song Plus: Electric vs PHEV — Which Saves More Money?
The iCAUR V23 AWD at 66,000 AED and the BYD Song Plus PHEV at 125,000 AED represent two very different cost profiles. One is a pure EV that eliminates petrol; the other is a plug-in hybrid with 100 km of electric range plus BYD's DM-i system. With a 59,000 AED purchase-price gap, we calculate which actually saves more money over five years of UAE driving.
Updated August 2026.
| Metric | iCAUR V23 AWD | BYD Song Plus PHEV |
|---|---|---|
| Price (AED) | 66,000 | 125,000 |
| Powertrain | Pure Electric (AWD) | PHEV DM-i (FWD) |
| Power | 211 hp | 235 hp combined |
| EV Range | 501 km WLTC | 100 km |
| Total Range | 501 km | 700+ km (EV + petrol) |
| Boot Space | 280 L | 574 L |
| Warranty | 8 yr / 200,000 km | 8 yr / 160,000 km |
iCAUR V23 AWD — The Pure-Electric Value Champion
Price: 66,000 AED | Body Style: Compact boxy SUV
The V23 AWD is a pure electric SUV with 501 km of WLTC range, dual-motor AWD, full ADAS and off-road mode. Because it never burns petrol, its running costs are the lowest of any SUV in this comparison. The 81.8 kWh battery charges at home overnight for a fraction of petrol costs, and there is no engine to service.
- 211 hp / 292 Nm dual-motor AWD
- 501 km WLTC range, 81.8 kWh battery
- No petrol, no oil changes — minimal servicing
- Full ADAS, 540-degree camera, off-road mode
- 8-year / 200,000 km warranty
Best for: Buyers who want the lowest possible running costs and have home or workplace charging.
BYD Song Plus PHEV — The DM-i Hybrid
Price: 125,000 AED | Body Style: Mid-size SUV
The BYD Song Plus PHEV uses BYD's acclaimed DM-i hybrid system, offering 100 km of electric-only range and a petrol engine for longer journeys. It has a much larger 574 L boot and targets buyers who want electric commuting with zero range anxiety. The trade-off is a higher purchase price and ongoing petrol costs when the battery depletes.
- 235 hp combined, FWD
- 100 km electric range + petrol backup
- 574 L boot — excellent for families
- BYD DM-i system for efficient hybrid operation
- 8-year / 160,000 km warranty
Best for: Families who need space and want hybrid efficiency without charging dependence.
Purchase Price — The 59,000 AED Gap
Right out of the gate, the V23 is 59,000 AED cheaper. That is a massive head start in any cost-of-ownership calculation. Even before fuel and servicing are considered, the V23 buyer has nearly 59,000 AED in their pocket. The BYD needs to recover this gap through superior practicality or features — but in pure financial terms, the V23 starts far ahead.
Fuel vs Electricity — 5-Year Cost Analysis
Assuming 20,000 km per year over five years (100,000 km total), here is the running-cost breakdown:
| Cost Item (5 yr / 100k km) | iCAUR V23 AWD | BYD Song Plus PHEV |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Cost | ~7,000 AED (electricity only) | ~12,000 AED (electricity + petrol) |
| Servicing | ~3,000 AED (minimal EV service) | ~8,000 AED (engine + EV service) |
| Purchase Price | 66,000 AED | 125,000 AED |
| 5-Year Total Cost | ~76,000 AED | ~145,000 AED |
| Savings vs BYD | ~69,000 AED saved | — |
Over five years, the V23 saves roughly 69,000 AED. Even accounting for the BYD's larger boot and flexibility, the financial case for the V23 is overwhelming for buyers with charging access.
Practicality Trade-Off
The BYD Song Plus does win on practicality: 574 L of boot space versus the V23's 280 L, plus the petrol backup for truly long journeys without charging stops. If your priority is maximum cargo and zero planning, the BYD has merit — but you pay dearly for it.
Pros & Cons
| iCAUR V23 AWD | BYD Song Plus PHEV | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | Much cheaper, lowest running costs, AWD, off-road mode | Larger boot, no range anxiety, DM-i efficiency, family-friendly |
| Cons | Smaller boot, charging dependent, newer brand | 59K more expensive, still burns petrol, FWD only |
Full Spec Comparison
| Specification | iCAUR V23 AWD | BYD Song Plus PHEV |
|---|---|---|
| Price (AED) | 66,000 | 125,000 |
| Powertrain | Pure Electric | PHEV (DM-i) |
| Power (hp) | 211 | 235 (combined) |
| Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
| EV Range | 501 km WLTC | 100 km |
| Total Range | 501 km | 700+ km |
| Boot (L) | 280 | 574 |
| Warranty | 8 yr / 200,000 km | 8 yr / 160,000 km |
| 5-Yr Total Cost (~100k km) | ~76,000 AED | ~145,000 AED |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which saves more money over five years?
The iCAUR V23 AWD, by approximately 69,000 AED. Its lower purchase price, zero petrol costs and minimal servicing make it dramatically cheaper to own, assuming you have access to charging.
Why is the BYD Song Plus so much more expensive?
The BYD carries a larger battery, a petrol engine, the DM-i hybrid system and a bigger body with 574 L of boot space. You are paying for flexibility and practicality — but that comes at a 59,000 AED premium over the V23.
Is the BYD's 100 km EV range enough for daily commuting?
For most UAE commutes, yes. 100 km covers daily Dubai or Abu Dhabi commuting on electricity, with petrol as backup. But the V23's 501 km range means you almost never think about charging at all.
Which is better for families?
The BYD Song Plus, with its 574 L boot, is more family-friendly. The V23's 280 L boot is tight for family luggage. But if budget is the priority, the V23's savings could fund years of family holidays.
Verdict
If the question is strictly 'which saves more money?', the answer is unambiguously the iCAUR V23 AWD. Over five years it costs roughly 69,000 AED less than the BYD Song Plus PHEV, thanks to its lower purchase price, zero petrol consumption and minimal servicing. The BYD wins on boot space and range flexibility, but you pay a steep premium for those benefits. For cost-focused UAE buyers with charging access, the V23 is the clear financial winner.
