Chery's iCAR brand opened pre-sales for the V25 on 1 November, with four versions priced from 139,800 to 175,800 yuan. The car slots between the smaller V23 and the larger, more expensive V27, and it is the first iCAR to use a range extender rather than a pure electric drivetrain. Deliveries are expected to begin before the end of the year.
Photo: JustAnotherCarDesigner / Wikimedia Commons (CC0) — Illustrative: iCAR V23, the smaller model the V25 sits above.
Boxy, but not a rock crawler
The V25 measures 4,636 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,855 mm tall on a 2,820 mm wheelbase, which keeps it usable in a Chinese city while leaving enough room for five adults. Ground clearance is 197 mm, wading depth 600 mm, approach angle 30 degrees and departure 28 degrees. Those are better numbers than most family crossovers manage, but the construction is a monocoque with MacPherson struts at the front and a five-link rear, so the intent is gravel roads and campsites rather than serious off-roading. A removable panel on the D-pillar and an 88-degree side-hinged tailgate are there for people who want to bolt on accessories.
1,240 km with the engine running
Power comes from a 1.5T petrol engine used as a generator, paired with a 33.67 kWh lithium iron phosphate pack from Gotion. Rear-drive versions make 185 kW; the four-wheel-drive car combines two motors for 335 kW and reaches 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. CLTC electric range is 200 or 210 km depending on the version, combined range is 1,240 km, and a 30 to 80 per cent charge takes about 15 minutes. Depleted fuel consumption is quoted at 6.9 litres per 100 km.
Photo: Zoerides / Wikimedia Commons (CC0) — Illustrative: iCAR V23, the smaller model the V25 sits above.
The electronics are the pitch
The top version runs Horizon's Journey 6P chip with 560 TOPS, 27 sensors, an optional lidar and the Falcon 700+ stack, which covers city and highway navigation assist and memory parking. Mid-range cars get the Journey 6M chip and highway assist only. Inside there is a 15.4-inch 2.5K screen on a Qualcomm 8538 chip, a deliberate decision to keep physical buttons for climate and drive functions, 41 storage compartments, front seats with heating, ventilation and 14-point massage, and 998 litres of boot space that grows to 1,549 litres.
Where it fits
The V25 lands in a crowded 150,000 yuan bracket. The Leapmotor C10 and C11 offer larger batteries and up to 300 km of electric range for similar money, and the Fangchengbao Tai 3 undercuts it with a pure electric drivetrain. iCAR's argument is the shape, the range extender for people who drive long distances, and a level of assistance hardware that the boxy-SUV segment has not seen at this price. Whether that is enough matters: the V23 has sold steadily but never broken out, and Chery needs the V25 to do better.
- 139,800 to 175,800 yuan across four versions
- 4,636 mm long, 2,820 mm wheelbase, five seats
- 1.5T range extender, 33.67 kWh pack, 210 km CLTC electric
- 335 kW four-wheel-drive version, 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds
- 560 TOPS Horizon Journey 6P and optional lidar on the top trim