Cover image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYSFollow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
Have you ever been sitting at a traffic light, glanced at your rear-view mirror, and thought a giant orange truck was rolling up behind you?
That was my exact reaction when I first laid eyes on the iCAUR V23 Retro Edition.
In a market saturated with slick, rounded electric crossovers that all look like bar soap, this thing stands out like a neon sign.
Dressed in its signature bright orange coat with retro accent trims, the V23 looks like a lovechild between a classic Land Rover Defender and a Suzuki Jimny that went to university in the year 2099.
But is it just a trendy fashion statement, or is there a sensible daily driver under that rugged skin? SAYS got behind the wheel of the V23 Retro Edition, and we came away pleasantly surprised.
The V23 looks massive in photos
But park it next to a typical SUV, and you will notice a funny trick of perspective. At just 4,220mm long, it is actually quite short, shorter than your typical B-segment SUV.
However, because it is 1,915mm wide and stands over 1.8m tall with a long 2,735mm wheelbase, the internal roominess is staggering.
Step inside, and you are greeted by an absurd amount of headroom and legroom. The flat floor design means three adults can actually sit in the back without knocking knees. It feels like a miniature studio apartment on wheels.
The V23's girth is a double-edged sword. When we first got behind the wheel, we were a little self-conscious about its massive width. But thanks to its massive size and striking appearance, drivers would happily give you space.
Despite its massive size, the V23 moves with surprising ease
When a car looks like a giant orange LEGO block on wheels, you half-expect it to drive like a heavy military truck. But step on the pedal of the iCAUR V23 Retro Edition, and you'll find that it goes like the wind.
If you are behind the wheel of the top-tier all-wheel-drive (iWD) variant, those dual electric motors deliver an instant 211PS and 292Nm of torque straight to the tarmac.
It scoots from 0 to 100km/h in just 7.5 seconds. That instant EV punch means darting into open gaps during morning rush-hour traffic is completely effortless.
Even the entry-level 2WD version, which takes a more leisurely 11 seconds to hit 100 km/h, feels surprisingly peppy off the line because there are no gears to wait for.
The only real limitation is the top speed, which is electronically capped at 140km/h on both models. It is definitely not built for high-speed highway racing, but for everyday Malaysian city driving, it offers plenty of kick.
Now, how does a high-riding, 1.8-metre-tall square manage corners without tipping over? Surprisingly well, actually
Because the heavy battery pack sits flat under the floor, the centre of gravity is far lower than you would expect from its boxy stance.
Equipped with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the rear, the suspension does a fantastic job of absorbing our infamous potholes and uneven tar without rattling your teeth.
When taking sharp turns at speed, you will naturally feel a slight bit of body roll due to the height, but the car feels planted and predictable. We won't suggest speeding in the turns, though.
The electric power steering is light and nimble, allowing you to flick this chunky machine through narrow alleyways or tight parking lots with zero fuss.
It feels less like driving a clunky 4×4 and more like piloting a tall, punchy hatchback with a commanding view of the road.
Driving this orange box around town will make you feel like a local celebrity
The upright windscreen, round retro LED headlights, squared-off wheel arches, chrome accents, the roof rail, and flat tailgate give it a commanding presence that punches way above its price tag.
People stare at it. Abangs on kapcais give you the nod at the lights. Security guards waved me through.
I kid you not, while we were driving this in TTDI, a Ferrari F8 Tributo passed by; a few heads turned from the mamak, but when we drove past in the V23 Retro Edition, you could feel people genuinely stopping to take notice of the car.
It has that muscular, playful road presence that makes regular cars look downright boring.
There is a small catch to having a boxy, retro design: thick pillars and vertical glass mean blind spots are inevitable
Looking over your shoulder to change lanes can be a bit nerve-wracking because those chunky rear corners hide quite a bit of traffic. The side mirrors can use a bit of adjustment too.
Luckily, the engineers knew this was coming. They packed the V23 with a crisp 540-degree surround-view camera system, which includes a 'transparent chassis' mode.
When you flick your indicator or put the car in reverse, the 15.4-inch screen instantly projects a 3D view of everything around and beneath your wheels.
It somewhat negates those blind spots, making tight parking spots and narrow lane changes surprisingly stress-free. This feature also made parallel parking simpler.
Let's talk about the battery, because we need to be realistic here
Depending on whether you pick the 2WD or all-wheel-drive variant, the battery gives you a claimed range between 360km and 430km (NEDC). In the real world, you are looking at around 280km to 340km of actual driving distance.
We drove the car daily the entire week, spanning almost 160km, and the battery drained from 100% down to about 40%.
Is it an endurance champion for a non-stop road trip to Penang? Probably not unless you plan a coffee break at a fast charger along the highway.
But for commuting around the Klang Valley, doing the school run, and driving out for weekend food hunts, that moderate range is plenty. You will likely only need to plug it in once or twice a week.
The best part about the iCAUR V23 Retro Edition is the clash of eras
Outside, it gives you pure nostalgia with chunky mechanical door handles, generous chrome and wood accents, roof rails, and rugged bumper guards. Step through the door, though, and you are launched straight into the future.
The dashboard is dominated by a giant 15.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen powered by a Snapdragon chip. There is no traditional instrument cluster in front of the driver, though the empty space could be utilised for something better.
To keep things tactile, they kept chunky rotary dials for key controls, and we truly appreciated it. It is a brilliant blend of old-school rugged charm and high-tech convenience.
When the iCAUR V23 was first teased, many expected it to carry a heavy lifestyle markup
But the official Malaysian pricing came in surprisingly aggressively, undercutting a lot of traditional petrol SUVs.
The entry-level 2WD variant starts at RM119,800 on-the-road without insurance. It features a single rear electric motor and a 59.93 kWh battery.
If you want more punch, the top-spec iWD variant costs RM132,800. For that extra RM13,000, you get dual-motor all-wheel drive, the larger 81.76 kWh battery, and that snappy 7.5-second acceleration.
Starting at under RM120,000 makes the V23 one of the most affordable lifestyle EVs in the country. You are paying roughly what you would spend on a high-spec petrol crossover, complete with a full suite of safety cameras, and a car that turns heads everywhere it goes.
If you want a sensible, invisible electric car, look elsewhere
But if you want a head-turning, spacious urban cruiser that makes you smile every time you walk up to it in a parking lot, this orange box of joy is hard to beat.
