Chery’s new EV is a baby G-Wagen with an MG 3 price tag

Chinese car giant Chery has detailed the latest electric vehicle (EV) for its iCar sub-brand which seemingly takes inspiration from a bunch of off-road ready 4x4s.

Revealed in April, the iCar V23 is the brand’s third EV, and its design is reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, Suzuki Jimny, Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series and Land Rover Defender, with its boxy shape and lifted ride height.

iCar was initially quiet on details for the V23, but it’s now confirmed Chinese pricing and specifications.

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An entry-level version – with a 100kW and 180Nm electric motor, 47.3kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and approximately 301km of driving range on the lenient CLTC cycle – starts from RMB99,800 (~$22,000).

Single-motor variants are also available with a slightly larger 59.9kWh battery, capable of delivering about 401km of driving range. Pricing has yet to be announced for this configuration.

Flagship V23s – powered by a dual-motor powertrain with 155kW and 292Nm, an 81.8kWh NMC battery and 501km of claimed driving range – are priced from RMB139,800 (~A$31,000).

Due to the relatively low outputs, iCar claims single-motor V23s can accelerate from 0-50km/h in 4.8 seconds, while dual-motor versions take 3.5 seconds. 0-100km/h sprint times haven’t been disclosed.

Measuring 4220mm long, 1915mm wide and 1845mm tall on a 2730mm wheelbase, the V23 is larger across every dimension than the new Suzuki Jimny XL, but smaller than the Chery Omoda E5 electric SUV.

It also has an approach angle of 43 degrees, a departure angle of 41 degrees and, in all-wheel drive guise, ground clearance of 212mm. Single-motor versions are fitted with 19-inch wheels as standard, while dual-motor versions get 21-inch alloys.

Under the skin there’s five-link rear suspension, while buyers can also option off-road suitable tyres.

Inside, there’s a relatively large 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen which sits above physical climate controls.

In the rear, its second-row seats – of which there are only two – can be folded flat, providing up to 774 litres of space behind the side-opening door.

Thus far, Chery hasn’t announced any plans to export iCar models to Australia.

However, it recently confirmed the V23’s larger sibling – the similarly boxy but roughly Omoda 5-sized 03 – will be sold in right-hand drive markets like South Africa and Thailand.

In those markets, it’ll be known as the J6 and sold under the more premium Jaecoo brand.