Chery V23 EV Debuts in Thailand – iCaur V23 Rebadge, Malaysia Next?

Thailand’s new Chery V23 EV is essentially a rebadged version of the iCaur V23 EV SUV. Coming to Malaysia soon?

Chery has expanded its product lineup in Thailand by debuting its new all-electric off-road SUV, the Chery V23. And yes, this new EV SUV is essentially a rebadged version of the iCaur V23, featuring similar specs and bits, minus the iCaur branding.

Two variants of the V23 will be available in Thailand, with the single-motor RWD starting from THB 699,900 (RM90,927), while the top-spec dual-motor AWD is tagged higher at THB 889,900 (RM115,610). The former houses a single, rear-mounted electric motor rated at 136 PS and 180 Nm, which is good for a rather slow 0-100 km/h sprint time of 11 seconds.

The AWD model, on the other hand, gets a healthier combined output of 211 PS and 292 Nm, thus cutting its century sprint time to 7.5 seconds, which is still slow for a dual-motor EV. Both variants' speed limits are electronically governed at only 140 km/h.

Range is also quite subpar for the Thai-spec V23, with the 59.95-kWh LFP battery only granting 360 km of NEDC range for the single-motor AWD model. That said, the AWD model does get a more ‘usable’ NEDC range of 430 km, courtesy of its larger 81.76-kWh NMC battery pack.

Charging-wise, the Thai-spec V23 can accept up to 105 kW of DCFC, although this only applies for the AWD model, with the RWD only capped at 85 kW DCFC. That said, both models can accept AC 6.7 kW, as well as support V2L at a 3.3 kW rate.

Design-wise, the Chery V23 retains its iCaur twin’s boxy SUV bottle and design bits, except for the missing iCaur branding, which is now being replaced by Chery lettering instead. Key design highlights include rounded LED headlights with horizontal DRLs, a clamshell bonnet, built-in side steps, slim rectangular LED taillights, flushed door handles, flared-out fenders, and 19- or 21-inch wheels, depending on the variant.

Inside, the V23 gets the same cabin setup as its iCaur twin, with a large 15.4-inch display being the centrepiece of its tech-laden and practical cabin. Other key amenities present here include physical dials and controls for the climate control and drive mode selector, a three-spoke steering wheel with Chery branding, ventilated front seats, a seven-speaker sound system, and many more.

Despite being larger than the iCaur 03, the V23 comes strictly with a four-seater configuration, as there are no seatbelts for the middle passenger at the rear seats. The same can be said for its small 234-litre boot space, but at least you’ll get 80 litres of extra underfloor storage and the tailgate-mounted storage box.

Interestingly, the Chery V23 wasn’t the first rebadged iCaur model to debut in the Land of Smiles, as the iCaur 03 was previously sold here as the Jaecoo J6 way before making its global debut in Malaysia. With the V23 already making its arrival in the Southeast Asia region, could Malaysia be the next destination for this rugged EV SUV?