iCaur V25 will arrive in Australia with an 80 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, but its WLTP range of about 368 km falls short of rivals that carry similar capacity. The company attributes the shortfall partly to the SUV’s boxy shape, which hampers aerodynamics.
Specs and how the V25 stacks up
The product manager for iCaur Australia confirmed the mid-size electric SUV uses a CATL-supplied battery. In testing on Australian highways and city streets, the team said a 300 km real-world range feels acceptable for local drivers.
By comparison, the Kia EV5 Air Long Range, a front-wheel-drive model, claims 555 km WLTP from an 88.1 kWh pack—about 187 km more than the V25, despite only an 8.1 kWh larger battery. The BYD Sealion 7 Premium, rear-wheel drive, lists 482 km WLTP from an 82.56 kWh unit, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 reaches 570 km on an 84 kWh pack when equipped with standard 19-inch wheels.
Weight also plays a role. The evaluation vehicle registered for Australian testing weighed 2,120 kg, though the production version may differ. The Kia EV5’s Air Long Range version tips the scales at 2,054 kg, and its GT-Line AWD version reaches 2,229 kg. Heavier cars need more energy to accelerate, climb grades and overcome rolling resistance, which reduces efficiency.
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Aerodynamic drag rises sharply with speed. Traveling at 110 km/h instead of 100 km/h adds roughly 21% more air resistance, a penalty amplified by a larger frontal area and a less streamlined silhouette. The V25’s extended-range version sold in China measures 4,636 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,855 mm tall, making it about 140 mm taller than the EV5.
Design choices and market positioning
iCaur’s chief executive, Ronna Luo, emphasized the “classic design” as a selling point, suggesting the shape aligns with consumer taste for a boxy aesthetic. The company also plans plug-in hybrid variants of the larger V27 and the V25 itself, which will carry a petrol engine to recharge the battery but not power the wheels.
The V25 is slated to lead iCaur’s Australian launch in early 2027, with a possible market entry toward the end of the first quarter. The product manager confirmed road testing has been completed, and the company is preparing to register the model for local sales.
