New retro-styled iCar V25 crossover prepares for debut
The new SUV from a Chinese brand, featuring a recognizable “squared-off” body, is equipped with a series hybrid system.
The extensive portfolio of the Chinese corporation Chery includes a brand named iCar on the domestic market (its export name is iCAUR). It has now become known that the brand’s lineup is set to expand soon with another crossover, this time with the index V25: apparently, it will be positioned between the already existing V23 and V27 models in the range.
Recently, the company published the first official images of the iCar V25, and now we can also look at “live” photos that have appeared in the database of the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, plus the first technical details about the new model have emerged. It is worth noting that the appearance of the V25 crossover shares many similarities with its “younger brother” – the iCar V23. By the way, its sales on the domestic market are not going very well: in the first five months of this year, dealers sold only 9,591 units, which is 58.2% less than in January-May 2025.
Apparently, Chery decided to bet on a larger model. The overall length of the iCar V25 is 4636 mm (416 mm more compared to the V23), width – 1920 mm (5 mm more), height – 1855 mm (10 mm more), and the wheelbase – 2820 mm (85 mm more). The curb weight is 2221 / 2240 kg depending on the version. The manufacturer has not yet shown the interior, but it is known that it is designed for five occupants.
The crossover features a “classic” five-door body styled in a retro design: with round headlights and semi-circular daytime running lights, a radiator grille and a logo on the side, massive trim pieces on the lower part of the front bumper, “squared-off” voluminous wheel arch flares, traditional large exterior mirrors, and a “blind” section on the rear side windows.
Additionally, the model gets semi-flush door handles, a “backpack” replacing the more conventional spare tire on the tailgate (which opens sideways rather than upwards), as well as a set of tires sized either 19 or 21 inches (depending on the version). The approach angle of the iCar V25 is 28°, and the departure angle is 24°. Optionally available are a lidar integrated into the front edge of the roof, as well as a “towing device,” with which the vehicle can tow a trailer weighing up to 1800 kg.
According to data from the database of the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the iCar V25 will feature a series hybrid system. It includes a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, model SQRH4J15, with 156 hp, which operates as a generator for a lithium iron phosphate traction battery with a capacity of 33.68 kWh and has no mechanical connection to the wheels. The total system output will be announced later. The driving range on electric power alone is 150 km (according to the WLTC cycle), and the maximum speed of this SUV is 180 km/h.
As a reminder, in Russia, the “senior” crossover of the lineup – the V27 – is currently available for purchase, and it was decided to bring it to the market under the local brand Esteo (a result of the partnership between the Russian holding company “AGR” and the Chinese company Defetoo). Dealers began collecting pre-orders for this model last week.
