2025 iCaur V23 iWD Review

In recent years, the C-Segment pure electric SUV market in Malaysia has been gaining popularity. Consumers have become increasingly clear about their demands for space practicality, range reliability, and smart features. The 2025 iCaur V23 iWD is a new contender targeting this niche market. With its all-wheel drive, 430 km official range, and fully equipped intelligent driving assistance as its core selling points, along with a price of RM132,800, many family users and young consumers are curious: Can this electric SUV, positioned for family use, truly balance performance and practicality? In this test drive, we focus on its everyday driving experience, space performance, and range achievement rate to see if it meets the needs of the Malaysian market.

The exterior design of the iCaur V23 iWD adopts a robust and minimalist style. The overall silhouette is compact but retains the heft of an SUV. The front end features a closed grille design paired with a through-type LED daytime running light, which is highly recognizable when illuminated. The lower front bumper incorporates trapezoidal air intakes and silver skid plates, enhancing its off-road feel. The side profile has straight lines, and the 21-inch R21 wheels with a 265/45 specification stand out, accompanied by a minimum ground clearance of 205 mm, giving it decent off-road capability. At the rear, the LED tail lights also feature a through-type design that echoes the front fascia. The silver skid plate below the trunk door and the decorative dual exhaust (despite being an electric car) prevent the rear from looking dull. The lighting system comes standard with LED headlights, tail lights, and daytime running lights, and it includes automatic headlights as well as front and rear fog lights, ensuring adequate convenience for daily use.

Inside the car, the interior style is primarily minimalist, dominated by a 15.4-inch QUAD HD touchscreen on the center console, which almost completely replaces physical buttons. The operation logic is clear, and the response speed is relatively fast. As for materials, the upper part of the dashboard and the interior sides of the doors are wrapped with soft materials, accented by silver trim, placing its texture among the upper middle range in its price segment. There are several standout features: standard across all models are HUD head-up display, keyless entry/ignition, electrically adjustable steering wheel, and electrically adjustable driver and passenger seats. The rear row is also equipped with independent air conditioning vents, showing thoughtful attention to details. Space performance meets the expectations of the C-Segment. The 2735 mm wheelbase ensures sufficient legroom in the rear, with 180 cm tall passengers having about two fists of space from their knees to the front seats. Thanks to the 1845 mm car height advantage, headroom is ample for both the front and rear rows, avoiding a sense of pressure. The trunk offers a conventional volume of 234L, which can be expanded to 744L by folding down the rear seats in a 60:40 split ratio, making it sufficient for strollers or suitcases, meeting the practical needs of families.

In terms of dynamic driving, the iCaur V23 iWD is equipped with front and rear dual permanent magnet synchronous motors, with a combined maximum power of 155 kW (211 PS) and a peak torque of 292 Nm. The all-wheel-drive layout ensures smoother power delivery. The throttle (accelerator) is responsive at the start, offering a noticeable push-back feeling even with a light press. Its official 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 7.5 seconds, making it more than adequate for everyday overtaking or highway cruising. The power output varies with different driving modes: in Eco mode, the power delivery is relatively gentle, suitable for urban commutes, while in Sport mode, the motor's response becomes more aggressive, providing a stronger acceleration experience. As for the suspension system, it features a front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension setup, tuned towards comfort. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension absorbs most of the vibrations, and rear passengers won't feel significant jolts. The steering feel is moderate with minimal play, and the body lean is well-controlled during cornering, ensuring good stability.

Range and energy consumption are the points that electric vehicle users care about the most. We tested it under conditions of 50% urban roads and 50% highways, with air conditioning and ACC adaptive cruise control fully turned on throughout the journey. The actual range achieved was approximately 85% of the claimed range, meaning the official 430 km range can realistically reach about 365 km during use, which is a fairly standard performance. With a battery capacity of 81.76 kWh using lithium iron phosphate batteries, safety is guaranteed. In terms of noise control, there is some wind noise and tire noise at high speeds, but it is within an acceptable range and does not affect in-car conversations. The energy recovery system has three adjustable levels, and at the highest level, releasing the accelerator produces a noticeable deceleration effect, closely resembling the braking feel of a fuel vehicle. Once accustomed to it, the frequency of brake usage can be reduced.

Overall, the core strengths of the iCaur V23 iWD lie in its balanced configuration and spacious design: L2-level intelligent driving assistance (ACC, lane departure warning, active braking, etc.) is standard across all trims, along with six safety airbags and a 360-degree panoramic camera, delivering a top-level safety configuration. A 2735mm wheelbase and flexible trunk space meet the practical needs of family users. Compared to similarly priced C-Segment pure electric SUVs, its all-wheel drive and high configuration are the key competitive advantages, and the price is relatively affordable.

The target audience is very clear: families that prioritize practicality and safety, as well as young consumers in need of a car for daily commuting and weekend getaways. If you do not have extremely high requirements for range but want a well-equipped, spacious pure electric SUV at around 130,000 MYR, the iCaur V23 iWD is worth considering. Overall, it is a balanced performer with no significant drawbacks, capable of meeting the daily needs of most families.