Chinese car giant Chery is edging closer to bringing another brand to the UK, with its rugged iCaur SUV line now being assessed for a potential British launch.
The Chery-owned brand has already been showing vehicles to prospective UK dealers, with a retail network understood to be taking shape ahead of a possible launch in 2027.
That would add another name to Chery's expanding UK operation, which already includes Omoda, Jaecoo, Chery and the newly announced Lepas brand.
iCaur UK launch and dealer plans
According to information obtained by Autocar, iCaur has held product events for potential UK retailers. The sessions are understood to have been used to gather feedback on the cars being considered for the market.
Chery has also started recruiting dealers for the brand. An official announcement covering iCaur's UK arrival is expected before the end of 2026, although the company has yet to confirm a launch date, pricing or which models will be sold here.
Chery says iCaur is undergoing an advanced review for potential entry into Britain. The company is also using its UK research and development operation to assess the vehicles against local requirements and customer expectations.
That means the UK range is still being decided, so anyone hoping to order one will have to wait for the final model line-up and specifications.
What is iCaur?
iCaur is Chery International's adventure-focused SUV brand, with a range aimed at buyers who like the boxy, upright look associated with traditional off-roaders.
The brand operates as iCar in China, but uses the iCaur name in export markets. The change helps avoid a potential trademark dispute with Apple.
Its current range includes the V23, V25 and V27, giving Chery options across several parts of the SUV market.
The smallest of the three is the 4.2m-long V23. In overseas markets it is offered as an electric SUV with either a 60kWh battery and rear-wheel drive or an 81kWh battery with four-wheel drive. Chery quotes a maximum range of around 315 miles for the relevant version.
The 4.6m V25 takes a different approach. It combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a 34kWh battery in a range-extender setup.
At around 5m long, the V27 sits at the top of the current line-up. It also uses range-extender technology and has a claimed output of roughly 450bhp.
Those figures come from overseas versions, so UK specifications should be treated as unconfirmed until Chery announces the range.
iCaur V23, V25 and V27 explained
The V23 could be the most interesting model for the UK if Chery wants to compete in the growing market for compact electric SUVs with distinctive styling.
Its squared-off body and relatively short length give it a very different appearance from mainstream family SUVs. Four-wheel drive is also available in overseas markets, adding some off-road credibility to the design.
The V25 moves into a larger class and uses a range-extender powertrain. This gives the vehicle an electric drive system while retaining a petrol engine to provide additional energy when required.
Then there is the V27, which is closer in size to a full-size off-roader. Its claimed 450bhp output would give it serious performance on paper, although UK pricing, equipment and final technical specifications remain unknown.
Autocar has also reported that the V27's platform could provide the basis for an electrified Ineos Fusilier. Ineos has yet to confirm that such a model will reach production.
When will iCaur launch in the UK?
There is no confirmed UK launch date yet.
Chery has already introduced iCaur in markets including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. Austria is set to become its first European market, with the brand due to launch there through Israeli-owned importer Colmobil.
Colmobil has said that the Czech Republic, Spain, the UK and Germany are planned as subsequent markets.
For British buyers, the important detail is that Chery is already doing the groundwork. Dealer recruitment and product assessments suggest the UK launch is moving beyond a simple market study, although the company has stopped short of confirming exactly when sales will begin.
iCaur UK price and specifications
UK prices have yet to be announced.
There is also no confirmed specification for British versions of the V23, V25 or V27, so overseas battery capacities, range figures and power outputs should not be treated as final UK figures.
That is worth keeping in mind with a new Chinese brand. Equipment levels, powertrains and pricing can change considerably between markets, particularly when cars are being adapted for European regulations and customer expectations.
Chery's growing UK presence should at least give iCaur access to an established dealer infrastructure if the launch goes ahead.
What does iCaur mean for UK buyers?
Chery is building a sizeable collection of brands, and iCaur would give it another clear identity in the UK. Omoda has focused heavily on mainstream SUVs, Jaecoo has taken a more rugged approach, while iCaur is being positioned around adventure and off-road styling.
That could make the brand an interesting addition to Britain's increasingly crowded SUV market.
There is still plenty to settle, though. UK prices, warranties, equipment, charging details, towing figures and the exact model range will all matter if iCaur is going to tempt buyers away from established manufacturers.
iCaur UK pros and cons
Pros
- Distinctive off-road-inspired styling
- Electric and range-extender technology already available overseas
- V23 could appeal to buyers wanting a compact electric SUV
- Chery is building an established UK dealer presence
Cons
- UK prices have not been confirmed
- The British model range remains undecided
- Overseas specifications may change for the UK
- iCaur will be entering an increasingly competitive SUV market
Our verdict on the iCaur UK launch
iCaur makes sense as the next piece of Chery's UK expansion, especially with its focus on distinctive SUVs and electrified powertrains.
The V23 is the model to watch if Chery wants a smaller, more accessible entry point, while the V27 could give the brand a much more substantial flagship. The big question is whether UK pricing can make those bold designs and electrified drivetrains compelling against established alternatives.
For now, iCaur is one to watch rather than one to buy. Until Chery confirms the UK cars, prices and launch date, there is too much still up in the air to make a proper buying recommendation.