The Chery iCAR 03 is the first production model from Chery's youth-centric iCAR sub-brand, positioned as an all-electric compact SUV featuring rugged "box" styling, an all-aluminium body, and intelligent electric all-wheel drive. Positioned in the RM150,000 to RM250,000 price bracket, the iCAR brand targets young car buyers with an emphasis on distinctive styling and cutting-edge tech. Officially launched on 28 February 2024 across six variants, the SUV is priced between RM109,800 and RM169,800, establishing itself as the market's first all-electric A-segment SUV. Serving as iCAR's volume seller, the iCAR 03 has sparked immense buzz across social media thanks to its quirky boxy silhouette, accessible pricing, and generous tech specs, effectively reshaping Chery’s traditional image as a brand for older male buyers—with an average customer age of just 29 and over 55% being female drivers. In April 2026, monthly deliveries of the iCAR brand surpassed the 25,000-unit mark, making it Chery Group’s second best-selling product line in a single month, trailing only the mainstream Tiggo series.
The exterior styling of the iCAR 03 sets it apart from other electric SUVs in the segment. Built around the "i-BOX" design philosophy, the front end is boldly upright, sporting "i"-shaped LED daytime running lights with broken-line graphics that mirror the model badge and the illuminated central "i" logo for an unmistakable road presence. A closed-off grille paired with a chunky front bumper delivers a rugged, off-roader aesthetic. Measuring 4,406 mm long, 1,910 mm wide, and 1,715 mm tall with a 2,715 mm wheelbase, its width stands out prominently in its class. Down the flanks, a straight shoulder line connects the front and rear, complemented by flush door handles and chunky black wheel arch claddings to create a dual-tone floating roof profile. At the rear, it gets a side-hinged electric soft-close tailgate and a square external storage pod—not a spare tyre, but an exterior storage box blending utility with off-road flair. The vertically stacked tail lamps also feature the signature "i" graphic, tying in with the front styling. Inside, the cabin adopts a minimalist horizontal T-layout, with physical buttons largely stripped away in favour of a 15.6-inch floating central infotainment touchscreen. Offered in dark and light two-tone interior themes, the cabin is trimmed with extensive soft-touch upholstery, chrome trim, and contrast stitching, elevating perceived quality well above its price tier.
The iCAR 03 is offered in single-motor rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrains. The RWD variant features a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 135 kW and 220 Nm of torque, delivering CLTC-rated ranges of 401 km and 501 km. The dual-motor AWD variant adds a 70 kW/165 Nm motor at the front and a 135 kW/220 Nm motor at the rear, generating a total system output of 205 kW (approx. 275 hp) and 385 Nm of torque. This enables a 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds onto a top speed of 150 km/h, with CLTC ranges rated at 472 km and 501 km. Energy is supplied by lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs sourced from CATL, with capacities of 50.63 kWh and 65.69 kWh for RWD models, and 65.69 kWh and 69.77 kWh for AWD models. DC fast charging is standard across the lineup, ensuring hassle-free daily charging needs. Notably, the SUV also features an integrated solar charging system with panels mounted on the bonnet and panoramic sunroof, generating auxiliary electric power for the vehicle.
The iCAR 03 boasts exceptional chassis engineering for its segment. Built on the proprietary Hunyuan chassis architecture, it features a class-above H-arm multi-link independent rear suspension with hydraulic bushings, sitting atop an all-aluminium honeycomb structural frame for high rigidity. AWD models are equipped with the iWD intelligent electric four-wheel-drive system with 8+X all-terrain driving modes—including Eco, Standard, Sport, Snow, Mud, and Sand—which intelligently regulates torque distribution according to surface conditions. Ground clearance stands at 170/200 mm, with approach and departure angles of 26°/29° and 28°/32° respectively, aided by ultra-short front and rear overhangs for superior off-road clearance. The multi-chamber all-aluminium spaceframe structure weighs just 230 kg—delivering a 30% jump in rigidity over conventional steel bodies—giving it a kerb weight starting from 1.68 tonnes and a torsional stiffness of 31,812 Nm/deg for enhanced handling stability and NVH refinement. Off-road features like Tank Turn and Crawl Mode are also equipped on AWD variants.
Inside, a 15.6-inch floating centre touchscreen comes standard across the range, with higher variants adding a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster for a dual-screen cockpit layout. The infotainment system is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor (on AWD models) and runs Tencent's ecosystem, supporting AutoNavi and Tencent navigation, WeChat, Tencent Video, QQ Music, and four-zone intelligent voice control. The system supports full-vehicle OTA software updates, allowing owners to manage door locks, remote vehicle start, climate control, charging status, and vehicle diagnostics via a dedicated smartphone app. In terms of comfort features, high-spec variants offer an Infinity 12-speaker audio system, 64-colour ambient lighting, front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and memory functions, a heated steering wheel, a 1.2 m² panoramic glass roof, and a 50W wireless smartphone charger. The seats are wrapped in leatherette or NAPPA leather, contributing to an impressive 66% cabin space utilisation rate with 991 mm of rear headroom. Boot space expands to 1,238 litres with the rear seats folded, complemented by a 6.5-litre lockable electronic glovebox, a 24-litre under-seat rear storage compartment, and up to 36 storage spots throughout the cabin. A rotary crystal drive selector further adds a touch of sophistication to the interior.
The iCAR 03 is well-appointed in safety equipment. On the passive safety front, dual front airbags are standard, with higher-spec grades adding front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags for up to 6 airbags on the flagship trim. The all-aluminium cage body structure provides a rigid safety cell for crash impact absorption. Active safety is supported by a comprehensive suite of 16 ADAS features as standard, including ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Brake Assist (BA).
Advanced driver assistance is a headline selling point for the iCAR 03. In August 2024, the lineup expanded with two high-end ADAS variants: the AWD Long Range Zhixiang Edition and Zhiyue Edition, priced at RM149,800 and RM159,800 respectively. These variants debut a pure-vision Level 2++ advanced autonomous driving system co-developed with DJI, packing seven HD cameras (two 8MP front stereo cameras, four 3MP surround cameras, and one 3MP rear camera) backed by a 32 TOPS domain controller. Without relying on LiDAR or high-definition maps, the system provides Urban Memory Driving (point-to-point navigate-on-autopilot on up to 10 memorised routes up to 150 km each), Highway Navigation Pilot (full-scenario expressway navigation from toll to toll), Auto Parking Assist (APA), Remote Parking Assist (RPA), Home Parking Assist (HPA multi-level memory parking), and Tracking Backup Assist (TBA). A 540-degree panoramic camera system with a transparent chassis view further enhances manoeuvrability in tight spots and tricky terrain.
Since its debut, the iCAR 03 has spearheaded Chery New Energy’s push towards youth appeal and brand rejuvenation. With its distinctive boxy silhouette, class-exclusive all-aluminium structure, iWD electric AWD, and aggressive pricing against segment competitors, the model quickly found favour with younger buyers, driving iCAR brand sales past 25,000 units in April 2026. The brand's customer profile reflects a notable shift towards a younger, diverse audience—with women making up over 55% of buyers, successfully redefining Chery’s brand image. On the global front, the iCAR 03 has been introduced to Southeast Asian markets as a CBU (Completely Built-Up) import, launching in Malaysia with a 2WD RWD variant (priced around RM119,800) and an iWD dual-motor AWD flagship variant (priced around RM129,800).
Media and consumer feedback on the iCAR 03 has been overwhelmingly positive in three key areas: first, its rugged boxy styling stands out in an otherwise homogeneous EV market, earning it the "Baby Defender" moniker and turning heads on the road; second, premium underpinnings such as the all-aluminium body and H-arm multi-link rear suspension offer exceptional value at this price point; third, democratising high-end autonomous driving co-developed with DJI in the RM150,000 bracket makes advanced tech accessible. The main caveat highlighted by buyers is that the car is strictly an EV without hybrid or ICE alternatives, limiting its appeal for buyers with range anxiety or lack of home charging access. With new models like the V23 and V27 set to join the iCAR stable, the brand's portfolio continues to mature. As Chery Group’s vanguard into the youth-focused NEV space, the iCAR 03 has not only transformed Chery from a legacy carmaker into a trendy tech-led brand, but its strong market performance also serves as a prime benchmark for Chinese automakers breaking new ground in niche EV segments.
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