This is the 2025 iCaur 03, iCaur Malaysia’s first model to be offered in the country. It’s perhaps the most affordable boxy EV SUV you can buy in Malaysia today; the only other option with a similar boxy styling is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ, which costs about eight times more than the iCaur.
Overview
Prices for the 2025 iCaur 03 start from RM 119,800 for the 2WD variant, while the iWD dual-motor variant we sampled is priced from RM 129,800.
These prices place the iCaur 03 squarely within the same bracket as the Proton eMas 7 — Malaysia’s best-selling EV at the time of writing.
Here, the dual-motor configuration produces 205 kW (279 PS) and 385 Nm, enabling a 0–100 km/h sprint in just 6.5 seconds. Top speed is rated at 150 km/h.
Power for the 2025 iCaur 03 comes from a CATL-sourced 69.8 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, allowing for an NEDC-rated range of up to 418 km.
The iCaur 03 supports DC fast charging up to 80 kW, recharging the battery from 30% to 80% state of charge (SoC) in about 30 minutes. AC charging goes up to 6.6 kW, and there’s also a 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) system.
Exterior – Eye-catching, bold, and blocky
First and foremost, the 2025 iCaur 03’s looks. Chery has definitely done its homework with the design, as the model carries a strong retro-futuristic vibe with its bold and blocky details — from the bumpers to the fender linings.
Look closely and you’ll spot iCaur’s “i” logo scattered across the exterior — a pair at each edge of the front end, one in the middle of the closed-off grille, and more mirrored at the rear, integrated into the taillights and rear storage box.
Like other retro-futuristic SUVs, the iCaur 03 gets an upright windshield. It adds to the rugged aesthetic, but it’s not the most aerodynamic shape out there. At speeds above 80 km/h, wind noise starts creeping in — even with the acoustic windshield and laminated side windows in place.
The iWD variant gets a set of 19-inch dual-tone five-spoke alloy wheels, which are easily distinguishable from the 2WD’s 18-inch, dark grey-finished wheels. The wheels are perhaps the easiest method to tell apart the 2WD from the iWD.
Interior – Spacious cabin is a big plus
Compared to the funky, retro exterior, the cabin of the 2025 iCaur 03 feels properly modern. In line with other EVs, it features a fully digital instrument cluster and a large 15.6-inch infotainment display — the latter powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 system-on-chip (SoC).
Audio is handled by a 12-speaker Infinity sound system, which sounds great on paper, but playback quality is average at best. Even after adjusting the built-in equalizer, the end result still leaves much to be desired — the audio quality lacks the punch and depth that one would normally expect from a branded sound system.
What’s not average is the equipment list. The iCaur 03 iWD trim comes well-equipped, offering a built-in digital video recorder (DVR), ventilated front and rear seats, and even front massage seats.
Thanks to its boxy proportions, the iCaur 03 is impressively spacious inside. The boxy design help maximise cabin space — headroom is generous, and legroom is better than expected.
Driving experience – Easy to drive despite the size
While the size of the 2025 iCaur 03 can be intimidating at first, its large windows, light steering, and high seating position make it easy to drive around town.
The built-in 360-degree camera also provides sharp visuals, which helps when manoeuvring in tight spaces.
With 279 PS and 385 Nm on tap, the 03 feels brisk, though its two-tonne-plus weight does blunt performance slightly. It’s not slow by any means — it just feels more enjoyable when driven gently rather than pedal-to-the-metal moments. And yes, buyers of the iCaur 03 won’t be subjecting this EV SUV to pedal-to-the-metal situations on a daily basis, so it really doesn’t matter.
Ride comfort is a mixed bag. The iCaur 03 soaks up most road imperfections well, even with 19-inch wheels, but handling isn’t its strong suit. It tends to lean in long, sweeping corners — something most owners are very unlikely to do this in day-to-day driving anyway.
Drive the iCaur 03 gently and it does the job well — it’s reasonably quiet at cruising speeds and the instant torque from the dual electric motors make this a reasonably decent EV SUV to drive around town.
Conclusion – Jimny too mainstream? Maybe consider the iCaur 03
Given its target audience, outright performance and sharp handling probably aren’t top priorities. After all, it’s not like the Suzuki Jimny is known for either, and the iCaur 03 follows the same philosophy — only in electric form.
Unlike the relatively spartan Jimny, the similarly priced iCaur 03 is packed with features like a panoramic sunroof, acoustic windshield, and NFC smart key card. Safety isn’t overlooked either, with a full ADAS suite and six airbags included.
All things considered, the 2025 iCaur 03 just needs to look the part — and it absolutely does. For many buyers, that’s all that really matters. That said, if the looks of the iCaur 03 isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps you might want to wait a little longer for the iCaur V23, which was recently spotted on Malaysian roads.
Read Also: Spied! 2025 iCaur V23 seen in Malaysia, launch imminent?
2025 iCaur 03 Review Photo Gallery
