The iCAR 03T is an all-electric compact SUV under Chery’s iCAR sub-brand, developed as a rugged, off-road-styled enhancement of the standard iCAR 03. The vehicle was officially launched on 30 August 2024 at the 27th Chengdu International Automobile Exhibition, offered in two variants: the 2WD Long Range and the 4WD Long Range, with official retail prices ranging from RM139,800 to RM149,800. With trade-in subsidies, starting prices drop to as low as RM114,800 and RM124,800. Featuring rugged off-road exterior body kits, a lifted chassis, an intelligent electric 4WD system, and Level 2++ advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), the 03T builds upon the original iCAR 03 with bolder visual appeal and off-road capability, targeting younger buyers seeking distinct individuality and light off-road lifestyle, while competing against rivals such as the Song Pro New Energy and HAVAL Xiaolong.
Visually, the iCAR 03T retains the signature "boxy" off-roader silhouette of the iCAR 03 while adopting a noticeably more aggressive stance. The front end receives a chunkier, reinforced bumper with the brand emblem deleted, paired with flared black wheel arches that significantly broaden its visual stance. A dual-tone floating roof design is standard, offering multiple exterior colour combinations such as classic red-and-black to deliver a sportier aesthetic. The rear maintains its upright, squarish styling with high-visibility vertical taillights, while an external rear-mounted cargo storage box echoes the front and rear bumpers for a cohesive, rugged off-road character.
Dimensionally, the iCAR 03T measures 4,432 mm in length (4,433 mm in select data sheets), 1,916 mm in width, and 1,741 mm in height, with a 2,715 mm wheelbase. Compared to the standard iCAR 03, length is up by 27 mm, width by 6 mm, and height by 26 mm, while the wheelbase remains identical. Crucially for off-road performance, ground clearance has been raised by 25 mm to 225 mm, maximum wading depth increases by 25 mm to 625 mm, and both approach and departure angles have been expanded. These off-road clearance figures put it ahead of conventional urban SUVs in its segment, providing solid mechanical capability for light off-roading.
Inside, the iCAR 03T retains the clean dashboard architecture of the standard iCAR 03, featuring a horizontal T-shaped layout that complements its robust exterior. The cockpit is fitted with a 9.2-inch full LCD digital instrument panel and a 15.6-inch floating central infotainment touchscreen, complemented by a crystal rotary gear selector and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, striking a balanced mix of rugged utility and modern tech flair.
The entire iCAR 03T range is powered by a CATL-sourced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack with a capacity of 69.77 kWh, featuring liquid cooling thermal management; battery swapping is not supported across the range. Drivetrain options comprise a single-motor rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) configuration. The 2WD variant features a rear permanent magnet synchronous motor rated at 135 kW (approx. 184 PS) and 220 Nm of torque, delivering a CLTC pure electric range of 520 km. The 4WD dual-motor variant delivers a combined output of 205 kW (approx. 279 PS) and 385 Nm of torque, with a CLTC range of 501 km. For charging, all variants support DC fast charging at up to 85 kW, taking approximately 30 minutes to replenish the battery from 30% to 80%.
Aside from the powertrain and driveline differences, both the 2WD and 4WD variants share an identical equipment list across core features, allowing buyers to choose based on their priority between maximum driving range or enhanced all-wheel-drive traction.
Underneath, the iCAR 03T utilizes a front MacPherson strut setup paired with a rear H-arm multi-link independent suspension—an advanced configuration in its segment that lays a solid foundation for ride quality and handling composure. The 4WD model features the iWD intelligent electronic four-wheel-drive system, which dynamically shifts between 2WD and 4WD and splits torque between the front and rear axles in real time based on road grip. The drive selector offers five all-terrain driving modes—including Snow, Sand, Mud, and Off-Road—tailoring power delivery and dynamic stability control logic to prevailing road conditions.
Thanks to the raised suspension setup and a generous 225 mm minimum ground clearance, the iCAR 03T excels over unpaved surfaces. Its approach, departure, and ramp breakover angles lead the class, working alongside the smart 4WD torque distribution to deliver dependable obstacle clearance and self-recovery capabilities in light off-road environments.
The iCAR 03T’s in-car digital tech is among the most advanced in its price segment. All variants come standard with the 9.2-inch full LCD digital instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch floating touchscreen, driven by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 cockpit processor that delivers swift computational speed and smooth operation. The infotainment system utilizes a clean card-based UI and supports Over-The-Air (OTA) remote updates, connected car services, Huawei HiCar smartphone mirroring, intelligent voice control with continuous dialogue support, and remote vehicle management via a mobile app. Up front, a 50W fast wireless charging pad is standard for rapid smartphone top-ups.
On the comfort front, seats are trimmed in synthetic leather, with the 4WD variant adding front seat heating, ventilation, and massage functions, alongside heated rear seats and reclining rear backrests. Audio is delivered through an 8-speaker sound system (upgradable to a 12-speaker setup on top trims), complete with Bluetooth audio streaming and an in-car karaoke function. Cabin temperature is managed by a dual-zone automatic climate control system, with select variants featuring an energy-saving heat pump system for cold-weather efficiency. Steering wheel paddle controls and driver's seat memory functions further enhance daily driving convenience.
Advanced driver assistance is a cornerstone of the iCAR 03T’s value proposition. The model comes standard with Level 2++ high-tier ADAS across the board rather than conventional Level 2 systems, fulfilling the brand’s ethos of "democratizing high-tier intelligent driving". The suite includes Highway Navigation Pilot (NOA), Urban Memory Driving (low-to-medium-speed memory cruise), and Multi-Level Memory Parking. The Urban Memory Driving system can store up to 10 commuter routes of up to 150 km each, offering substantial convenience on daily drives, while the Multi-Level Memory Parking function handles complex multi-storey underground car parks, allowing the vehicle to learn a route once and autonomously execute future parking manoeuvres.
The sensor suite builds on the 7 high-definition cameras by adding 3 millimetre-wave radars and 8 ultrasonic sensors, employing sensor fusion algorithms to ensure dependable target detection in challenging conditions such as heavy rain, fog, and intense glare. Active safety systems comprise full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Change Assist (LCA), and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), delivering a complete safety net from hazard detection to active intervention.
In terms of passive safety, the iCAR 03T utilizes an all-aluminium safety cage constructed from a high-strength aluminium-steel hybrid, boasting an impressive torsional rigidity of 31,812 Nm/deg. Occupant protection includes front and side airbags along with full-length curtain airbags on higher grades. It is also fitted with a 540° HD surround-view camera system with a "transparent chassis" function, displaying the terrain directly underneath the vehicle to help drivers navigate obstacles during off-roading or tight parking manoeuvres.
Following its market debut, the iCAR 03T established a distinct competitive edge in the pure-electric compact SUV space thanks to its rugged styling, comprehensive standard Level 2++ ADAS, and sharp pricing. During its initial rollout, the combined lineup of the iCAR 03 and 03T achieved strong monthly numbers in the boxy SUV segment; the iCAR 03 ranked sixth overall on the boxy SUV sales chart in July 2024 as the sole pure-electric contender. However, with product cannibalisation from newer brand offerings and fast-paced industry iterations in smart driving tech, market momentum for the 03T waned significantly over time. Public sales figures indicate that deliveries declined to marginal levels by March 2026, including zero-unit monthly recordings, reflecting a sharp shift in market demand.
From an ownership standpoint, users frequently praise the standard high-spec ADAS suite across all grades, the eye-catching boxy styling, and the seamless user interface powered by the Snapdragon 8155 chip. Main criticisms centre on the DC fast-charging performance lagging behind newer 2025 industry benchmarks (30 minutes for a 30%–80% charge is now considered entry-level), noticeable wind noise at highway speeds due to the upright boxy profile, and user reports of slow OTA software update rollouts.
Overall, as an off-road enhanced iteration of the iCAR 03, the iCAR 03T delivers substantial improvements across design, equipment, and automated driving capability, bridging the gap between the standard 03 and hardcore off-roaders. Despite later sales headwinds, its strategy of pairing standard high-level ADAS, boxy rugged styling, and an accessible price tag set a notable benchmark for affordable electric SUVs, offering young buyers a high-value entry-level electric off-roader that balances urban usability with personal style.
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