iCaur Australia Rollout: V25 EV First, V23 Later, and the JSW India Link

The iCaur Australia rollout now has a clear order. Chery’s boxy, off-road-styled SUV brand will start with the electric V25 in early 2027, followed by a range-extender V25 and the larger V27, Australia’s Drive reported on November 1.

The detail that matters most for India is the one at the bottom of the list. The small iCaur V23 is not confirmed for Australia, and Drive says it is not expected until an updated model arrives in 2028 or 2029.

That is relevant here because the V23 is widely expected to form the base of a future JSW Motors electric SUV for India.

What has iCaur confirmed for its Australia rollout?

iCaur has confirmed three models for Australia. An iCaur representative told Australian media at an event in China that the V25 battery-electric SUV will launch first, in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. The larger V27 range-extender follows, and then a range-extender version of the V25, according to Drive.

CarExpert first reported the V25-then-V27 order on October 23, quoting an iCaur product manager. He said V27 timing could be “maybe the end of the first quarter,” without confirming a month. Drive’s November 1 report added the clearest timing yet for the V23.

What is iCaur, and why does it look like that?

iCaur is a Chery-owned SUV brand that sits above Chery in pricing and materials. Its designs borrow the upright, chunky look of the Mercedes G-Class and Land Rover Defender, but the V25 and V27 use car-like monocoque construction rather than a ladder frame.

That combination is the whole pitch: rugged looks, city-friendly underpinnings and electric or range-extender power. iCaur has also begun recruiting a dealer network in Australia that is separate from Chery’s, according to CarExpert.

Chery itself is expanding fast outside China, from new brands to autonomous tech. We looked at one part of that push in our report on Chery’s L4 robotaxi plans.

How do the iCaur V25 and V27 compare?

The V25 is about the size of a Toyota RAV4, while the V27 is a five-metre SUV with more wheelbase than a Toyota Prado. Drive’s figures show the V25 EV using an 80kWh battery, while the V27 pairs a 34kWh battery with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that only generates electricity.

The V25’s range is its weak point. Drive notes it falls short of the 466km quoted for an entry-level Tesla Model Y, and even the 430km of the Chery E5. A big battery cannot fully make up for a brick-shaped body. Flat fronts, upright windscreens and a spare wheel on the tailgate all add drag at highway speed, and range falls quickly as speed rises.

The two outlets also differ slightly on V27 numbers. CarExpert quotes 150km of electric range and up to 995km total on the older NEDC cycle, which explains much of the gap.

Who will the iCaur V25 compete with in Australia?

The V25 will enter Australia’s busy mid-size electric SUV segment. CarExpert names the Geely EX5, Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7 as the main rivals, although it adds that the V25’s unusual shape will attract a very different buyer from those smooth, aerodynamic SUVs.

That is iCaur’s bet. It is not trying to win on range or efficiency. It wants buyers who like the look of a Defender or a G-Class but want a cheaper, electric, city-friendly car underneath.

Pricing will decide whether that works. iCaur’s product manager told CarExpert the company was “still researching” the V25’s price range and needed “a good price for Australia.” Until that number arrives, comparisons with established rivals remain guesswork.

Why is the iCaur V23 delayed?

Drive says the V23, a smaller SUV that could rival the Suzuki Jimny as an electric car, is not expected in Australia until an updated model launches in 2028 or 2029. iCaur‘s product manager told CarExpert only that “the V23 may come in the future.” No reason was given.

One likely factor is market fit. Australia buys larger SUVs in big numbers, so starting with a RAV4-sized model makes commercial sense. Right-hand-drive engineering and local testing also cost money, and the V25 has already finished its Australian road testing, according to CarExpert.

What does this mean for JSW Motors in India?

For India, it is a useful clue. JSW Motors has a licensing and parts deal with Chery, and CarWale expects its first lineup to include a model based on the iCaur V23. Autocar India says that model and a Jaecoo J5-based one are due in 2027.

Australia’s later timing for the V23 does not mean India’s plan will slip. India and Australia are different markets, and JSW would build its own version locally. But it suggests the V23 is not iCaur’s export priority, which leaves JSW room to shape the car for Indian buyers.

The first JSW Motors product is the Combat SUV. Our report on the JSW Combat SUV spy shots covers what the test cars reveal, while the earlier JSW Combat debut story explains how the brand is set up.

iCaur Australia rollout: confirmed vs not confirmed

CarBike Insight Analysis

The iCaur plan shows how Chery is using separate brands to reach different buyers. Chery sells value, Jaecoo sells urban style, and iCaur sells adventure looks with electric power. It is the same multi-brand idea JSW appears to be borrowing for India.

The V25’s modest range is a real concern. Buyers who want a boxy electric SUV for long trips may find the range-extender versions more practical, which is probably why iCaur is offering both.

For Indian readers, the takeaway is simple. The boxy small SUV that may arrive here as a JSW product is still a secondary model in iCaur’s global plan. That could help JSW secure supply and adapt it to Indian roads without competing with other export markets.

Who should care? Indian buyers waiting for an affordable, rugged-looking electric SUV should watch JSW’s 2027 plans. Who should wait? Anyone expecting iCaur itself to launch in India should not, because no such plan has been announced.

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