iCaur’s new V25 swaps a pure-electric setup for a petrol-assisted range extender. Here’s what we know, and what it could mean for SA’s growing EV lineup.
iCaur Just Proved Its EV-Only Strategy Wasn’t Set in Stone
Two months after launching in South Africa as a fully electric brand, iCaur has revealed a new model in China that breaks from that formula entirely. The iCaur V25 swaps the battery-only setup used by its local V23 and 03T siblings for a petrol-assisted range extender — a telling shift worth understanding if you’re one of the buyers who’s already fallen for the brand’s retro styling.
A Quick Note Before We Go Further
This isn’t a review of a car you can buy here — the V25 has only been revealed in China through a regulatory filing, and iCaur South Africa hasn’t confirmed whether it’s coming locally. What follows is an honest look at what’s been confirmed so far, and how it fits into iCaur’s fast-moving South African rollout.
Where the V25 Fits in iCaur’s Growing Family
iCaur landed in South Africa in May 2026 with two fully electric models: the compact V23, priced from R519,900, and the larger 03T, starting at R639,900. A third model, the range-extended V27, is already confirmed for a South African arrival before the end of 2026. The newly revealed V25 slots into that same family tree, sized between the V23 and V27 — it measures 4,636mm in length, 1,920mm wide, and 1,855mm tall on a 2,820mm wheelbase, making it 416mm longer than the V23 and 419mm shorter than the flagship V27.
What “REEV” Actually Means, and Why It’s Different
Unlike the V23’s pure battery-electric setup, the V25 uses a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) architecture — essentially a petrol engine that generates electricity rather than driving the wheels directly. The V25’s REEV system pairs a single electric motor with a 33.6kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery and a 115kW 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine acting purely as a generator. Chery claims a pure-electric range of 145 to 150km on the WLTC cycle, depending on variant, alongside an average fuel consumption figure as low as 1.52 litres per 100km once the range extender kicks in.
For South African buyers wary of relying entirely on local charging infrastructure, this hybrid approach solves a real anxiety: you get meaningful daily EV range for commuting, with a petrol engine as backup for longer trips — without needing to plan your route around charging stations.
Sizing It Up Against the Rest of the Range
Details on the electric motor’s output haven’t been revealed yet, but the V25’s dimensions place it in genuinely useful mid-size SUV territory — notably larger than a Toyota RAV4 in most dimensions, including a considerably taller stance. If iCaur brings it to South Africa, it would sit between the V23’s compact footprint and the V27’s full-size proportions, giving local buyers a genuinely differentiated middle option rather than just two extremes.
Is It Actually Coming to South Africa?
That’s the real question, and there’s no confirmed answer yet. iCaur has already committed to bringing the range-extended V27 to South Africa before year-end, which suggests a genuine local appetite for REEV technology beyond pure EVs. Given how quickly iCaur’s V23 and 03T found buyers here, a strong case exists for the V25 following — but until iCaur South Africa makes an official announcement, treat this as a genuine possibility rather than a certainty. [VERIFY: whether iCaur South Africa has made any specific commitment regarding V25 local availability, since only informal industry speculation currently exists]
What This Means If You’re Shopping iCaur Right Now
If you’re already considering the V23 or 03T, nothing here changes their proposition — both remain solid, fully electric options with strong local warranty backing. If you’ve been holding out for something with a petrol safety net built in, the V25’s eventual arrival (alongside the confirmed V27) is worth watching before you commit.
In the meantime, it’s worth keeping an eye on EV24.africa for updates as iCaur’s local lineup continues to expand, since this segment is moving quickly. If a used electric or hybrid SUV is more within budget right now, auto24.co.za is a solid place to compare what’s already on the ground. For the latest confirmed details, the moment iCaur South Africa says more, keep checking imotonews.co.za.
