New SUV from China looks really retro and will cost a lot less than most

The iCar V23 is a retro, boxy little SUV from China that’s turning heads.

And no, it’s not made by Apple, the phone manufacturer, but by Chery, a Chinese automaker.

This electric vehicle mixes old-school charm with modern tech in a way that’s fun, functional, and seriously affordable.

Think Land Rover Defender meets Suzuki Jimny, but designed by someone obsessed with straight lines and simplicity.

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The standard V23 is an EV SUV that resembles a tank, while boasting up to 311 miles of range.

It already leans into the vintage vibes with its square shape, upright stance, and chunky fender flares.

But now, iCar is going even further with the Retro Emotion Package: a bold upgrade that cranks the quirk factor right up.

The highlight is a matte green wrap that’s more than just good-looking.

It features a special anti-glare finish inspired by military tech, meant to reduce reflections.

Whether or not that’s useful in the wild is up for debate, but it certainly adds some rugged flair.

To match the wrap, iCar gives the V23 a new grille, a blacked-out front bumper, and a large spotlight mounted right on the hood.

It’s a bit over the top and maybe not the most elegant touch, but it adds to the SUV’s off-road fantasy.

A pair of classic round spotlights might have looked cleaner, but this SUV is clearly not going for subtlety.

There are also black rocker panels, side steps, and 19-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires.

It looks the part of an adventurer, even if it spends most of its life in city traffic.

Now, let’s talk price.

The Retro Emotion Package costs between 4,000 and 10,500 yuan (roughly $550 to $1,450). That’s not much for such a complete visual transformation.

And the iCar V23 itself? Pricing starts at just 109,800 yuan (around $15,000), and tops out at around $20,500.

Unfortunately, at this price point, you won’t find much power under the hood.

Base models have a 136 horsepower rear motor, while higher trims get a dual-motor setup with 211 horsepower.

It’s certainly good enough for daily drives and weekend getaways.

And in a world of sleek EVs like the Xpeng’s new EV sedan which looks more like a supercar, the iCar V23 stands out.

It’s retro, weird (in the right ways), and most importantly, cheap.

If you want something electric, fun, and different, this little SUV developed by Chery might be the best value adventure machine out there.

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