Chery's iCaur completes V-Series with V25 SUV, with Australian EV launch set for early 2027

Wuhu debut completes the V-Series

Chery's iCaur brand has completed its boxy V-Series line-up with the V25, an SUV offered as either a range-extended hybrid or a battery EV, which debuted at the iCaur International User Summit in Wuhu alongside the V23 and V27. As Automotive World reports, the V25 sits between the battery-electric V23 and the hybrid V27, and iCaur gave no pricing or launch timing for the model itself. ¹

The Wuhu appearance was the V25's first live showing after its online reveal in August 2026. paultan.org describes the new SUV as essentially a stretched V23, and notes it will be the first iCaur offered as both a battery EV and a range-extended EV — differing from China, where the V25 is sold purely as an REEV. ³

Automotive World notes iCaur is present in more than 40 markets and is one of several Chery brands chasing overseas buyers alongside Omoda, Jaecoo and Exeed, with its rugged positioning now overlapping the all-terrain Freelander 8 shown at the same summit. ¹

Powertrain and battery detail, with market differences

iCaur says the V25's range extender achieves a thermal efficiency of 44.5% and generates 3.71kWh per litre of fuel, with dual motors producing a combined 335kW and 505Nm. paultan.org reports the dual-motor AWD output matches the V27's and, citing Chinese-market data, identifies a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder as the likely generator; it notes the claimed 44.5% figure is slightly lower than the V27's 45.79% despite the same fuel-to-electricity rate. paultan.org's own analysis suggests the WLTP-equivalent electric ranges will be lower than the CLTC figures. ¹³

For the Chinese-market V25, which paultan.org reports has just gone on sale, REEV variants come in rear- and all-wheel drive, with the RWD producing 252PS (185kW) and 300Nm. All Chinese REEV models use a 33.67kWh Gotion lithium iron phosphate battery delivering 210km of EV range in RWD form and 200km with AWD on the CLTC cycle, plus total range of 1,240km (1,210km AWD) with the 58-litre tank. The pack supports up to 90kW DC fast charging, replenishing from 30 to 80% in 15 minutes. These are China-market specifications; Australian figures have not been confirmed. ³

The battery-electric version is the one confirmed for Australia. iCaur Australia product manager Derek Tian told CarExpert the Australian-bound electric V25 will have an 80kWh lithium iron phosphate battery supplied by CATL, with a claimed WLTP range of about 368km. Mr Tian also confirmed "The V25 BEV's road testing in Australia is finished", citing 30,000km of general validation and 15,000km for ADAS and automatic parking systems with an Australian supplier and Chinese engineers. ²

GoAuto reports that the overseas V25 EREV's powertrain comprises the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 33.68kWh battery, allowing for an electric-only range of between 145 and 150km on the WLTC cycle depending on the variant. That figure is notably lower than the CLTC-based Chinese-market ranges, and the different test cycles should be kept distinct when comparing the two sets of numbers. ⁶³

iCaur has not yet shared the electric version's battery capacity, power output or driving range in global materials; CarLelo reports more technical details are expected closer to the global launch, and that powertrain availability may vary by market. This distinguishes the manufacturer's market-specific statements from the still-unfilled global specification picture. ⁴

Packaging, body and customisation

The V25 measures 4,636mm long, 1,920mm wide and 1,855mm tall on a 2,820mm wheelbase — 416mm longer than the V23, with 85mm of that going to the wheelbase, and 419mm shorter than the V27, according to paultan.org. CarExpert notes the dimensions place it in the same broad size class as the Toyota RAV4, and, despite the upright body and tailgate-mounted spare wheel, it uses car-like unibody construction. ³²

paultan.org reports the V25 uses a cage-like body structure with 80% high-strength and advanced high-strength steels and a claimed torsional stiffness of 30,000Nm per degree, with a 1,800kg towing capacity and a seventh airbag (a centre airbag) added to the V23's six. It also gains a full-sized spare wheel, with the number plate recess moved into the bumper. ³

Inside, the V25 retains the V23's rectilinear layout and 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen while adding an eight-inch instrument display, more physical switchgear, a 50W wireless charger, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats and a 15-speaker Pioneer sound system, per paultan.org. The longer body accommodates a sliding and reclining three-abreast rear bench, and 378 litres of boot space expanding to 998 litres with seats folded; CarLelo separately cites a claimed total cargo figure of 1,549 litres, a company claim measured on a different basis. ³⁴

Rounding out the utility claims, the V25 tows 1.8 tonnes and can supply 6kW to external devices via vehicle-to-load, with L2 driver assistance including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise and a 360-degree camera, as reported by Automotive World and paultan.org. More than 20 built-in modification points allow customisation, while the battery, motor, electronics, chassis and safety structure remain off limits. ¹³

GoAuto spoke with iCaur's Australian head of brand Kate Gillis at Everything Electric Sydney, where the electric V25 was publicly unveiled in Australia. Ms Gillis described the range extender's petrol engine as charging the battery only, never driving the wheels, and said the EREV is on the brand's "consideration set" for Australia. ⁶

Australian launch order and timing

iCaur Australia product manager Derek Tian detailed the local rollout to Australian media, including CarExpert, in China. "The V25 BEV will launch first," he said, followed by "Then V27 EREV." On timing he said: "I can't give you a confirmed month, but maybe the end of the first quarter" of 2027. He added "The V23 may come in the future" for the smaller electric SUV. ²

This builds on earlier confirmations. GoAuto reported in September 2026 that the V25 was slated for arrival in early 2027 in battery-electric form as the Chery-owned brand's debut Australian model, and that when the V25 launched in China in Q4 of 2026 a range-extender variant would be offered in its home market. paultan.org reports the V25 will be rolled out globally starting early 2027, with Malaysia likely to follow Australia, where it has already been spotted testing. ⁶³

RACQ reported in August 2026 that iCAUR had confirmed a 2027 Australian launch for the V25, part of a bullish Chery Australia expansion that already includes Omoda and Jaecoo and targets additional launches with Lepas in November 2026 and Freelander in 2027. The same report traced Chery's earlier Australian stint under Ateco from 2011, which ended in 2015, before the brand returned as a factory-backed operation in 2023. ⁵

iCaur has already begun recruiting dealers for a sales and service network separate from Chery, Mr Tian told CarExpert, and addressed the brand's premium positioning: "Our iCaur materials and specifications are higher than Chery's." ²

Pricing and competitive context

No pricing has been announced in any market. Mr Tian told CarExpert: "We are still researching the V25's price range. We need a good price for Australia." Australian pricing, specifications and on-sale timing therefore remain unconfirmed. ²

CarExpert notes the V25 will enter a mid-size electric SUV market that also includes the Geely EX5, Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7. RACQ observed the V25's styling channelling the Land Rover Defender, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, Denza B5 and Tank 300, while noting there is no mention of any collaboration with Land Rover — though the forthcoming Freelander is a Chery and Jaguar Land Rover joint venture. GoAuto records Ms Gillis claiming the V25 will be the only all-wheel drive "boxy" electric SUV in the Australian market, an OEM statement rather than an independently verified position. ²⁵⁶