iCaur V23 2025 Review

In the increasingly competitive Malaysian C-segment pure electric SUV market, consumers are no longer just looking at range; they’re paying more attention to configuration value and daily practicality—after all, with a budget of around RM120,000, everyone wants to get an "all-rounder." The 2025 iCaur V23 2WD, which we test drove this time, targets that demand: it not only falls within the mainstream price range but also includes advanced features like HUD, automatic parking, and six airbags as standard. Our testing focused on the following key aspects: Are these features practical? How does the rear-wheel-drive layout feel to drive? Can its range meet Malaysia's daily commuting needs?

When parked by the roadside, the V23 2WD has a distinct appearance. It features a rounded SUV silhouette, with a closed grille paired with a full-width LED daytime running light at the front. The chrome trim surrounding the light group and grille is connected, visually widening the front of the car. The side profile of the body is simple, and the 19-inch wheels fit the vehicle proportions well, not appearing undersized. The slightly flared front and rear fenders, combined with a 205mm ground clearance, retain the ruggedness of an SUV. The full-width LED taillights at the rear echo the design of the front, providing uniform illumination when the brake lights are activated, making it easy to spot your car in a parking lot at night. The entire lighting system uses LEDs, including the front fog lights and automatic headlights, which are convenient for everyday use.

Opening the door, the interior gives the first impression of being "simple but not plain." The upper part of the dashboard is wrapped in soft-touch materials, which feel premium to the touch. A 15.4-inch 2K touchscreen is the visual centerpiece, and its interface layout is organized, with commonly used functions such as air conditioning and navigation displayed on the home screen. While the response isn’t particularly fast, it’s relatively smooth without major lag. The HUD (head-up display) is standard and can show speed, navigation, and driver assistance information, so you don’t need to frequently lower your head to check the dashboard while driving. Configuration is indeed a strong point of the V23 2WD: features like keyless entry and start, electrically adjustable front and rear seats, rear independent air conditioning, and sunshades are all included. The space is in line with the C-segment positioning, with a wheelbase of 2735mm. At 175cm in height, when sitting in the front seat with adjustments, there are around two fingers of headroom. In the rear, there’s two fists of legroom and one fist of headroom; the middle floor is nearly flat, making it comfortable for three passengers. The trunk has a standard volume of 234L, enough to fit two 20-inch suitcases. Folding down the rear seats expands it to 744L, which easily accommodates larger items.

Starting the vehicle and shifting into drive, the rear-wheel-drive characteristics of the V23 2WD are immediately evident. It’s equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum output of 100kW (136PS) and a maximum torque of 180N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration is 11 seconds. It doesn’t launch aggressively but responds quickly enough when you press the pedal two-thirds of the way down, giving confidence when overtaking. There are three driving modes: Economy, Standard, and Sport. In Economy mode, the power output is smoother, making it suitable for urban commuting. In Sport mode, throttle sensitivity is enhanced, and the motor revs faster, making highway lane changes feel more confident. The steering wheel has moderate weight and minimal slack, providing precise direction in turns. The suspension features a front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent setup, tuned for comfort. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension absorbs most vibrations without noticeable rebound. On rural roads with curves, the body’s roll is well-controlled. At speeds of 60km/h when cornering, rear passengers won’t feel much swaying.

We tested the range under mixed driving conditions: 60% urban commuting, 40% highway, air conditioning set at 24°C throughout, and in ECO mode the car covered 310km with a displayed remaining battery of 10%, achieving approximately 86% of the rated range, which aligns with the characteristics of lithium iron phosphate batteries. The energy consumption was around 16kWh per 100km. Based on household electricity rates in Malaysia, the cost per kilometer is less than 0.01 MYR, making it much more economical than fuel vehicles. As for sound insulation, at 40km/h in the city, external noise is almost inaudible; at 110km/h on the highway, wind noise and tire noise are more noticeable but still acceptable and do not interfere with rear seat conversations. The energy recovery system has two adjustable levels, and at the highest level, the deceleration when releasing the accelerator is similar to light braking, which is suitable for urban driving and reduces the frequency of brake use.

Overall, the core advantages of the V23 2WD are very clear: it offers full standard features rarely seen in the same price range, including HUD, automatic parking, and electric seats; the rear-wheel-drive layout provides a decent driving experience; and stable range performance is ensured. Compared to other pure electric SUVs in the same class, its configuration is significantly more comprehensive while its price is not much higher, making it stand out in terms of value for money. However, it also has some shortcomings: acceleration performance is average, the power reserve at high speeds is not adequate, and the response speed of the onboard system needs improvement.

The target audience for this car is very clear: families with a budget of around 120,000 MYR who prioritize practical configurations and low daily commuting costs, or young people who have just started working and need a versatile commuter vehicle. It doesn't have particularly aggressive styling or extreme performance, but its balanced performance meets most daily needs.

In conclusion, the 2025 iCaur V23 2WD is a pure electric SUV that you "can't go wrong with" even if you buy it with your eyes closed. With its premium features and reliable range, it addresses the most important concerns of consumers, making it a high-value choice in the mainstream pure electric SUV market in Malaysia.