The iCaur 03T isn’t perfect, but it gets the important things right.
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The iCaur 03T isn’t perfect, but it gets the important things right.
I’ve always believed that first impressions matter. There’s a certain pressure that comes with doing something for the first time because you don’t have years of experience to lean on, only the hope that you’ve prepared enough to get it right. It’s a lesson I’ve come to appreciate over the years.
The more firsts I’ve experienced, the more I’ve realised they’re rarely about getting everything perfect, but about leaving the kind of impression that makes people want to come back for a second look.
Even today, every time I climb into a car from a brand I’ve never driven before, there’s a small part of me that wonders what kind of impression it’s about to leave. That was exactly how I felt when I first settled inside the iCaur 03T.
The iCaur brand may be the latest marque to join the Chery Group’s ever-growing stable, but it’s far from another badge-engineering exercise. As a newcomer to the local EV scene, it’s easy to lump it together with the flood of electric SUVs arriving from the east. That would be a mistake, though. Instead of chasing the same rounded, aerodynamic crossover design, iCaur has produced something with real character. It stands out in a sea of lookalike SUVs, and these days, that’s half the battle won.
I won’t lie, the first thing that came to mind when I saw the iCaur was a baby Defender. It’s got that same upright, boxy stance but packaged into something closer in size to a Suzuki Jimny, and yet it’s not trying to imitate either, while the squared-off styling, distinctive LED lighting and rear-mounted storage box give it a unique appeal that’s missing from so many modern SUVs.
On paper, 135kW and 220Nm don’t exactly make for headlining figures, but then again, the rear-wheel-drive 03T never tries to be the fastest electric SUV on sale. It’s built for a different kind of buyer, someone who values character, comfort and the freedom to head out for adventure over shaving tenths off a 0-100km/h run. If, however, you enjoy a surprise at the traffic lights, the AWD version’s 205kW, 385Nm and 6.5-second sprint to 100km/h should inspire at least a grin.
On the road, the 03T has decent driving manners. It does feel a little top-heavy through the bends, while the upright, boxy design creates noticeable wind noise once you hit highway speeds. Again, that’s hardly surprising considering the lack of noise from the electric motors only draws more attention to the wind whipping around the almost brick-shaped exterior. Accept those compromises, and there’s plenty to like. The ride is comfortable, it’s easy to place on the road thanks to the excellent visibility, and it never feels out of its depth.
iCaur claims a range of up to 431km on a full charge of the 65.7kWh battery pack, but during my test, I couldn’t stretch its reserves past 380km. That’s still more than enough for the daily commute and the odd weekend escape, and when the battery did run low, a quick stop at my nearest 100kW DC charger had it topped up in under an hour.
Then you step inside, and the 03T takes a minimalist approach that immediately reminded me of the Volvo EX30 Cross Country. Everything is controlled via the massive 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system. And when I say everything, I mean everything… from adjusting the mirrors and selecting the drive modes to most of the vehicle’s settings. Aside from the multifunction steering wheel controls, the electric door release and the window switches, there are pretty much no physical buttons or toggles.
I’ll admit, it can be frustrating during the first few minutes behind the wheel as you scroll through menus trying to find simple functions. Once you learn your way around the system, it becomes second nature, but I’m still a firm believer that some things are better left as physical controls. Volume, climate control and mirror adjustment should be kept simple. Another gripe is the placement of the 50-watt wireless charging pad, which is exposed to direct sunlight, so your phone can get surprisingly heated on a hot day.
In its defence, the cabin is put together exceptionally well. The materials feel solid, there are plenty of practical storage spaces scattered throughout, and there’s a distinct feeling that the 03T was designed with some adventure in mind. It’s functional and thoughtfully packaged, and, despite its minimalist layout, it never feels cheap.
If I’m being honest, this is the variant I’d go for. Without the extra motor and battery-related weight of the AWD model, the rear-wheel-drive 03T feels lighter on its feet and more focused on efficiency than outright performance. Sure, the AWD’s performance is tempting, but that should hardly be a consideration when you’re shopping for sensibility.
Priced at R639,900, the 03T isn’t perfect, and it never pretends to be, instead, what stays with you is its character. Thinking back to that first drive, I realise the 03T has done exactly what every newcomer hopes to do. It made a strong first impression. Not because it got everything right, but because it got the important things right. And sometimes, that’s all you need to make people want to come back for a second look.
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