First Impressions: iCaur 03 iWD – Rugged looks, surprisingly fun to drive

KUALA LUMPUR: After months of waiting—and a lot of curiousity—we finally got our hands on the iCaur 03, the rugged-looking electric SUV from Chery International’s new sub-brand, iCaur. At long last, we were invited to test drive the EV, albeit for a brief but telling one-hour session around Setia Alam.

This is the same vehicle that made waves at the Malaysia Autoshow last year, albeit under a different name—some of you may remember it as the Jaecoo J6. Now confirmed to launch under the iCaur badge with a local rollout slated for Q3 2025, we finally have a clearer picture of what this boxy, futuristic SUV is all about.

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The variant we drove: iWD Dual-Motor Power

We were given the keys to the top-of-the-line iCaur 03 iWD, which, on paper, is the performance flagship of the lineup. With an estimated price of RM155,000, this variant packs two electric motors, one on each axle, for intelligent AWD performance. Together, they produce a combined 205 kW (275 hp) and 385 Nm of torque—very healthy figures for a compact SUV.

It’s paired with a 69.8 kWh battery, which delivers a claimed range of 418 km (NEDC), or around 355 km when converted to WLTP standards. While we didn’t get to test the range fully in an hour, we can confirm this: it’s got more than enough performance to put a smile on your face.

We didn’t know what to expect – But we’re glad we tried It

Here’s the thing—we went into this drive with very little expectations. Yes, the iCaur 03 has the rugged, squared-off looks that will immediately win fans who miss the old-school SUV aesthetic.

Yes, it’s got big 19-inch wheels and a “tough” stance. But beyond its visual appeal, we weren’t sure how it would actually feel behind the wheel.

But the moment we pushed off from the curb in Setia Alam, one thing became very clear: this EV is actually fun to drive.

Surprising, right?

Small, light, and agile—Yes, really

The iWD variant may be packing a big battery and two motors, but the iCaur 03 somehow manages to feel light on its feet. Most EVs in this class feel hefty when cornering or navigating tight urban spaces. But not this one. Around Setia Alam, it’s nimble, quick to respond to steering input, and feels smaller than its actual size would suggest.

It really came alive on the twisty bits of road near Setia Alam Eco Park. The iCaur 03 turns in eagerly, doesn’t lean excessively, and—while it's no hot hatch—delivers a balanced, composed driving feel. You don’t expect this kind of agility in a family-focused electric SUV. But here we are.

And that instant electric torque? Addictive. Power delivery is rapid and seamless. You tap the pedal, and it just surges forward without hesitation. This dual-motor setup is no gimmick—it’s the real deal.

Suspension setup: Unexpectedly cushy yet controlled

Another area where the iCaur 03 impressed was its ride quality. The front uses MacPherson struts, while the rear gets a multi-link suspension—a tried-and-true combo. On paper, it’s a standard setup, but iCaur has tuned it brilliantly.

Over Setia Alam’s less-than-perfect road surfaces—speed bumps, potholes, rough patches—the 03 just glided. There’s a plushness to the ride that you usually only find in pricier European offerings. Every bump was absorbed with minimal cabin disturbance, and every thump was more of a muffled whisper than a jarring shock.

The best part? It manages this cushiness without feeling overly floaty. There’s a sense of control and composure here—something we often don’t get from Chinese EVs, which usually favour soft comfort over dynamic balance.

Interior space and tech: Functional, friendly, and surprisingly premium feeling

Step inside the iCaur 03 and you’re greeted by a cabin that feels spacious, well-laid-out, and genuinely modern. Thanks to its generous 2.7 metre wheelbase, rear legroom and shoulder space are more than adequate. Headroom is decent too, owing to its boxy profile.

Dominating the centre of the dash is a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, paired with a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The interface is surprisingly intuitive—we didn’t need a tutorial to find basic functions. Everything is well-labelled, responsive, and touch targets are large enough even for bigger fingers.

More importantly, the system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is a must-have these days. Combine that with a 12-speaker Infinity sound system, and you’ve got a really enjoyable in-car experience, whether you’re doing a school run or a weekend getaway.

540-Degree camera, transparent chassis, and ADAS

One of the flashier features of the iCaur 03 is its 540-degree camera system, which includes a “Transparent Chassis” mode. It’s more than a gimmick—when navigating tight spaces or rough terrain, the see-through underbody view genuinely helps you place the vehicle with confidence.

Safety-wise, it’s fully loaded: six airbags, a full Level 2.5 ADAS suite, and features like lane keep assist, adaptive cruise, emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring—you name it. That’s a lot of tech for a sub-RM160k vehicle.

Charging Tech and V2L – Functional for daily use

In terms of charging, the iCaur 03 supports 80 kW DC fast charging, which allows it to juice up from 30% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not the fastest in its class, but acceptable for most urban needs.

On the slower end, it gets a 6.6 kW AC charger, which you’ll likely use at home overnight. And yes, it supports 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), meaning you can power laptops, kettles, or even your camping gear directly from the car. A great party trick—and also super practical.

Boot space and practicality

The boot space is rated at 264 litres, which is on the smaller side for this class. You’ll fit your groceries and a few weekend bags, but if you need to haul baby strollers or larger camping equipment, you might find yourself folding the second-row seats often.

Still, for urban families or singles looking for something stylish yet practical, it works.

Conclusion: First Impressions are strong

So what do we think of the iCaur 03 iWD after an hour behind the wheel?

In short: we’re impressed.

It’s a properly fun EV to drive—something we didn’t expect at all. The power delivery is snappy, the ride is plush without being sloppy, and the handling is sharper than many Chinese EV SUVs have a right to be at this price.

Add to that a well-designed interior, good infotainment system, and a full suite of safety features, and the iCaur 03 starts to look like a seriously tempting package.

There are still questions to be answered: real-world range, long-term reliability, and whether the Malaysian market is ready for a Chery sub-brand at RM155k.

Well, there is the 2WD variant which has an estimated price of RM145,000 so that might be the better option, but we don’t know what that feels like. But based on this short but telling drive, the iCaur 03 deserves attention—not just for how it looks, but for how it feels on the road.

The EV space in Malaysia just got a lot more interesting.