Chinese 4x4 Brand iCaur to Launch Defender Rival in UK
Chery Group's iCaur marque will introduce its V27 flagship SUV, aiming to compete with established luxury off-roaders at a lower price point.
The Chinese automotive group Chery is set to launch its iCaur brand in the United Kingdom in early 2027, introducing the V27 as its flagship SUV. The V27 is designed to rival established off-road vehicles like the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class, but with a projected starting price significantly lower than its competitors.
Chery Group, which already operates Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, and Lepas in the UK, is establishing iCaur as a dedicated off-road marque. The V27's anticipated starting price is approximately £46,000, which would place it substantially below the Land Rover Defender 110's starting price of £64,315, the Toyota Land Cruiser's £80,945, and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class's minimum of £130,000.
iCaur was formed through a collaboration between Chery, China's largest car exporter, and Smartmi Tech, a supplier to Xiaomi. The brand's SUVs are designed with a utilitarian aesthetic reminiscent of older rugged, adventure-focused off-roaders, incorporating modern refinements. They utilize electric and range-extender powertrains.
The V27, iCaur's inaugural model for the UK, features a boxy design with design cues blended from the Land Cruiser, Defender, and G-Wagon. Its exterior styling includes a concave bonnet, pronounced wheel arches, angular shoulders, and flat body panels. The interior is designed for practicality, offering soft-touch surfaces, heated and cooled armrests, and customizable ambient lighting. The dashboard features a 15.4-inch central touchscreen and an 8.8-inch driver display, with a panel of physical toggle switches for essential controls.
Technically, the UK-bound V27 is expected to feature an advanced powertrain from Chery International. While specifics are scarce, international versions of the V27 utilize a range-extender petrol engine known for its thermal efficiency. This system uses the internal combustion engine solely to recharge the battery when it depletes. The vehicle can automatically switch between pure-electric, hybrid balance, and fuel-priority modes. iCaur plans to refine and develop the V27 for British roads at Chery's new R&D Centre at the UTAC Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire.
The infotainment system, tested in China, was noted for its intuitive, widget-based setup and fast performance, running on a Snapdragon SA8155 processor with Apple CarPlay integration and voice controls. The V27 also emphasizes cabin spaciousness with a frameless rear window, low waistline, split panoramic sunroofs, and a maximum cargo capacity of 1,818 liters, expandable to a flat 2,150 x 1,050 mm surface when the second row is folded.
Further details on the UK launch schedule and final specifications for the V27 are expected in the coming months. iCaur will unveil an all-new V25 model next week, which may offer further insights into the brand's direction.
