In China, there's an EV off-roader brand that's taking the roads by storm.

ICar - or ICaur for international branding - is Chinese car giant Chery's EV off-roader brand for the youthful buyer. Think G-Wagon looks but for the price of a Suzuki Jimny - the ICaur range is tough, cute, cool and cheap.

And it's gone down like fine wine in China already.

The first model, the 03, only hit the market in February 2024 yet almost 66,000 were snapped up by the end of the year.

While in China last month, I saw ICaurs everywhere – on the road, on trucks ready to be delivered to customers, in car parks, outside restaurants...

And it's very possible these retro-stylish off-roaders will come to the UK soon to make 4x4 EVs the hot wheels everyone wants.

So, in preparation, I am the first UK motoring journalist to test drive its first 'global' model, the V23, to see whether we should believe the hype...

The ICaur brand – what is it and is it coming to the UK?

'Born to Play' - that's the ICaur tagline. 

It reflects the target market ICaur is going for – young drivers, and those 'young at heart'. People who 'are willing to try something new'.

It came about from a collaboration between Chery - China's biggest car exporter - and Smartmi Tech, which is a supply partner of tech giant-turned-EV-maker Xiaomi. 

The aim is to make ICaurs as technology-crammed as they are smartly engineered, and to make them appealing to the young, digital-literate drivers of today.

As we've said the V23 is the first global model, and it cements iCars as EVs that can handle a proper off-road adventure as easily as they can handle a zero-emissions city commute.

And what about buying one yourself on our fair shores? 

Well, ICaur is rumoured to be coming to the UK within two years. And considering the brand has big plans to expand rapidly – reaching over 100 countries in the next three years and setting up more than 2,000 service and sales centre worldwide - we feel it's fine to get our hopes up for ICaur hitting British roads.

Does it have curb appeal?

The ICaur V23 is a mix between Ford Bronco, Suzuki Jimny and Mercedes G-Wagon.

The front end is mainly Bronco, with a fully enclosed smoked grille and split-style round headlights that scream off-road ready.

The boxiness and side profile carries Bronco hints, but is shorter and squarer, with a Jimny upright, energetic and nippy look to it.

And the rear? The angular, flat door and wheel box and wide window mixes in the G-Wagon.

It's just the right amount of beefy to give clear off-road intentions, with squared-off fenders, flared wheel arches, and side steps, and the right amount of boxy to be retro and nostalgic, but also modern and 'fun' - it looks ready to take to the country but has the vibrant, youthful feel that makes it the Chinese equivalent of a Chelsea tractor in the city.

The interior – is the V23 cabin as cool as the exterior?

The outside of the V23 might be rugged and retro, but nostalgia is left at the door – the interior is futuristic and connected to the nines, and yet still adventure-ready with proper off-road features

The 15.4-inch touchscreen, which is powered by the latest Snapdragon SA8155, has a widget-based home screen system which looks a lot like an iPhone; maps, phone, shopping, entertainment and cameras can all be jumped to by clicking the different 'apps'. It's lighting fast. 

There's also voice control and Apple CarPlay if you want it. Not that you need it.

Even in Chinese, I could easily flick my way around the system quickly, as it really is just like using your smartphone – each widget or app is image-based which is universal. 

I found it easier than a number of UK touchscreens to navigate despite the language barrier.

Then there's a digital driver's screen which displays gears, speed, and settings. It's sleek, and the information is kept to a non-distracting minimum.

The rest of the dashboard is reminiscent of the Ineos Grenadier - there are aluminum dials under the touchscreen to control volume, air conditioning and drive mode. Below are five switches to access controls such as windscreen heating front and rear, and hazard lights. 

Overhead there are four cockpit-like buttons, again like the Grenadier.

The steering wheel has rectangular shortcut pads, and the air vents are rectangular and angular, which keeps the interior looking edgy and tough at the same time.

It's all wipe down, with grab handles and sustainable pleather. The red stitching and trims, and red seat belts add a bit of flare.

It's a very, very cool interior – and the quality and robust meeting point is perfect.

Power, range and off-road capabilities – can it really do it all?

The V23 is built on a new vehicle platform and has been designed with cross-country driving and city driving in mind.

With that in mind, the all-wheel drive version has an 81.8kWh battery which produces 207hp.

It's good for a 0-to-60mph time of 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 86mph.

The - now defunct - New European Driving Cycle test measurement gives it a range of 420km or 260 miles, but it remains to be seen what the distance is between charges when put the Europe's current WLTP cycle.

The V23 can be fast charged to 104KW giving you 20 to 80 per cent charge in 42 minutes.

While plenty of range and spirit to have fun around town, these stats aren't going to blow your mind. 

But what is impressive is that it's an EV with 'i-AWD' intelligent electric four-wheel drive, and dual motors for peak off-road performance.

You can adjust the pitch, roll and power, like you can in a proper hardcore off-roader, to tackle any terrain you want the ICaur to scramble up.

Admittedly, I didn't tackle any mountain roads or even a muddy track in the V23, but I did have a blast flooring it around the streets of Wuhu.

The ride height is brilliant, the driving position and comfort ten-out-of-ten, it's responsive, turns tightly, darts in and out of traffic, and it put the biggest grin on my 4x4-loving face.

I really hope it comes to the UK so I can take it up to Scotland or Wales and take to the mountains in the wettest winter conditions.

How much would the ICaur V23 cost? And is there a market for it?

The model I tested would cost the equivalent of about £22,000. So, true to the Chery brand, it gives you a lot for very little spend.

If the V23 can really do everything it promises off-road, then there's hardly any competition for it here, and certainly not at that price point.

The Suzuki Jimny is just a bit cheaper, or it was before it was outlawed on emissions grounds some five years ago, but that obviously wasn't available as an EV.

So, there's a huge gap in the market, and pricing is something younger buyers can afford. 

It's a steal for everything you get, and how good it looks.

Cars and Motoring verdict: Is the UK ready for ICaur adventures?

The V23 has serious street appeal.

I'm the target buyer - a city-living, countryside-raised young buyer who loves a 4x4 but wants an EV, and one that isn't too big for city life – and I'd happily pay £22k for it.

All the friends I showed it to wanted to know when it's coming to the UK. It captured everyone immediately.

Not only would the V23 be a refreshing new addition to the market, but I'd bet on it being as big a success as the now sold out Jimny. It's as cute and cool, it's techy, and it's cheap – what's not to like?

Rumour has it that Chery sold 30,000 in the first hour when the 03 ICaur went on sale in China, and it could just be that, if it does come here, it would be the only EV after the Renault 5 to have a waitlist.

I'd put my name down.