Summary of "iCaur /iCar V23 from CHERY. Uphill Range Test & REVIEW"
Product reviewed
iCar V23 (CHERY / “iicar”) — electric off-road-style SUV imported by Sarda Group for the Nepal (Pokhara–Kathmandu) market.
The video emphasizes a real-world uphill/downhill range test from Pokhara to Kathmandu, along with hands-on impressions of the car’s features and drive feel.
Key features mentioned
Powertrain
- Rear-wheel drive with a 100 kW motor
- 60 kWh LFP battery (used in the tested variant)
- Company claimed range: 401 km (CLTC)
- WLTP not available yet
- The display shows “Standard range” vs “Dynamic range”
- Dynamic range appears higher
Charging / EV infrastructure
- References Omoda charging stations in Pokhara (3 locations mentioned)
- Notes growing EV interest and infrastructure in Pokhara
Driving hardware & comfort
- Stiffer suspension setup for reduced body roll and a more “off-road” tuning
- 210 mm ground clearance
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Overall styling/stance described as capable and “pocket-rocket” off-road inspired
Interior / convenience
- No instrument cluster for the driver; relies on a single screen with reflection issues
- Many physical buttons/dials, including:
- fan speed, temperature control
- drive mode
- 360 camera button
- hazard, etc.
- Multiple Type-C ports (and at least one USB)
- Manual IRVM (not auto-dimming)
- No rear AC vent mentioned
- Rear seating provision for 3 passengers (center seatbelt), though likely less comfortable
- Noted omissions:
- No glove box
- No sunroof
- No roof rails
- Storage highlights:
- rear cubbies/hidden spaces emphasized
- no spare tire (mentioned as part of storage/utility discussion)
Safety / driver aids
- UI/alerts/settings mentioned include:
- hill decent control
- automatic parking
- over-speed reminder
- voice wake-up / voice commands
- ADAS is present, but the reviewer does not clearly specify the exact level/version
Real-world range test results (Pokhara → Kathmandu)
The reviewer repeatedly monitors battery %, remaining distance, and energy consumption during the downhill and uphill portions of the drive.
Early “real-time” impressions
- Display variation is attributed to driving style:
- after the test drive crowds with brutal acceleration + uphill driving, the car shows lower remaining range
- Reviewer expects “300+ km” based on battery % drop and the conservative nature of the range display
Notable measured checkpoints (as stated)
- ~14.1 km covered at one stop:
- ~5.1 kWh/100 km average consumption
- Remaining range shown around 295 km
- Pokhara → Mungling segment:
- ~53.6 km with ~11% battery used
- Consumption about 10.4 kWh/100 km
- Remaining range around 265 km
- To Mungling (later emphasis):
- ~19% battery used to reach Munglin
- Average consumption about 10.9 kWh/100 km
- Uphill: Mungling → Kathmandu climb:
- Around start of the climb (with ~80% battery remaining), the display shows:
- Standard range: 241 km
- Dynamic range: 259 km
- Later estimate:
- roughly ~200 km driven
- using about ~60% battery
- ending with about ~38% battery remaining
- Steeper example:
- on a steep incline section (near “Dharr” described)
- reaching a steep top area with roughly ~39% remaining
- consumption peaks at about ~17.8–18 kWh/100 km
- Around start of the climb (with ~80% battery remaining), the display shows:
Overall range conclusion (from the video)
- Reviewer concludes ~“300+ km” looks achievable in Nepal-like real-world conditions, even at highway speeds.
- They state the on-screen range behavior is conservative and believable (not overly optimistic DC fast-charge-style claims).
- No single clean “full-charge → end-of-trip total km” number is presented, but the battery remaining after ~200 km + steep climbs supports the 300+ km expectation.
Pros (unique advantages highlighted)
- Strong real-world drivability and ride control
- Stiffer suspension reduces body roll; stable through twisties/off-road sections
- Real-world range seems conservative
- Reviewer feels it’s not exaggerated
- Works well for 60–80 km/h highway driving
- Argument: Nepal speeds are typically lower than those assumed in spec testing
- Braking performance praised
- Described as “super duper responsive”
- Space and practical storage
- Backseat described as great, with multiple cabin/rear storage compartments
- Cabin AC effectiveness
- Called “so damn effective”, among the best EV AC experiences the reviewer has tried
- Many physical controls
- Tactile usability; settings “remember” until changed
Cons / complaints (as stated)
- No instrument cluster
- Reviewer considers it a big negative due to needing to look at the driver area/screen
- Screen reflections
- Reflections reduce readability
- Wind noise at ~80 km/h
- Boxy design contributes to wind noise intrusion
- Right-side OVM visibility issue
- Vertical mirror design reduces visibility, especially on the right side
- Cost-cutting omissions
- No rear AC vent, no glove box, no sunroof, no wireless charging pad
- Regeneration behavior quirks
- Regen can stop over potholes during downhill driving
- Restart requires pressing the brake again
- Interior plastics
- Some “plasticky” finish around steering/areas is disliked
Comparisons / competitor mentions
Range logic vs other specs
- Notes the idea that company highway range is lower than city range
- Compares the logic to experiences with Leapmotor T03, arguing Nepal’s typical speeds (~60–70/80 km/h) make the “highway-lower-range” concern less important
Design comparisons
- References aesthetic similarity/inspiration to:
- BAW off-roader
- Mercedes G-Wagon
- Defender
- Reviewer suggests CHERY iCAR V23 borrows rugged Defender/Land Rover Defender-like elements
Earlier EV model experiences
- Regen behavior compared to iCAR/JCO J6
- Similar regen restart/behavior issues noted
Charging / infrastructure & user experience notes
- High demand at launch/test drive
- In Pokhara, people waited hours after launch to test drive
- Reviewer enjoys Nepal roads
- Potholes/rough sections feel low stress and “easy peasy” (subjective impression)
Price / availability mentioned
- Pricing mentioned as below 47 lakhs (about 47 lakhs) for Nepal (as per the video)
- At the time of the video, the car is described as not yet launched in Nepal, but pricing/variant discussion is attributed to what “they said”
Consensus verdict (based on the video)
Overall recommendation: Consider / likely worth it if you prioritize real-world range, off-road stance, comfort space, tactile controls, and strong AC/braking.
Main buyer risks:
- No instrument cluster
- Some regen behavior quirks
- Wind noise and visibility compromises (notably right-side OVM)
Unique points mentioned about the product (deduplicated)
- CHERY origin and Nepal importer context (Sarda Group)
- 100 kW rear motor + 60 kWh LFP battery
- CLTC 401 km claimed; WLTP not out
- Stiffer suspension, 210 mm ground clearance
- 19-inch wheels
- Range display conservatism; Standard vs Dynamic range
- Downhill uses less; uphill increases consumption substantially
- Real-world energy-use examples with cited kWh/100 km
- Driver UX: no instrument cluster; screen reflection
- Lots of physical controls/buttons including 360 camera button
- Regen present, but can pause on potholes and needs brake press to resume
- Many storage spaces; rear seat space noted; no spare tire
- Interior omissions: no glove box, no sunroof/roof rails, no rear AC vent, no wireless pad
- Manual IRVM (no auto-dimming)
- Power seats: driver 6-way, passenger 4-way
- Wind noise at higher speeds due to boxy design
- Right OVM visibility not ideal
- AC performance praised highly
- Steering: tilt but no telescopic
- ADAS present but not precisely defined; comfort driving praised
- Pricing target: < 47 lakhs
- Design inspiration comparisons: Defender / G-Wagon style rugged cues
Speakers / views at the end
Single main speaker: Aashi Shar
- Observations from Pokhara launch/test drive demand
- Importer/company context
- Detailed range test notes and energy-consumption logging
- Hands-on features walkthrough (pros/cons)
- Subjective drive impressions and comparisons (e.g., Leapmotor T03, Defender/G-Wagon aesthetic references, regen behavior compared to JCO/J6)
Category
Product Review
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