Chery Group’s iCAUR V23 has won the Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2026, recognition for an all-electric boxy SUV with a 43-degree approach angle, a 41-degree departure angle, and 8.3 inches (210 mm) of ground clearance. Founded in 1955, the Red Dot ranks among three internationally recognized design honors, alongside the iF Design Award and the International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), and is often described as the “Oscar of Design.” The award adds to a run of design and safety recognition for iCAUR‘s electric SUV, which the brand has rolled out across Southeast Asia and, more recently, South Africa.
Highlights
- The V23 pairs a 43-degree approach angle, a 41-degree departure angle, and 8.3 inches (210 mm) of ground clearance on an all-electric platform.
- iCAUR reports more than 1,000 V23 registrations in Thailand and 481 deliveries in Malaysia in a single recent month.
- The V23 topped the midsize all-electric SUV segment in the 2026 J.D. Power China New Energy Vehicle Product Appeal Index Study.
- iCAUR describes the V23 as the first all-electric boxy SUV to earn a five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating.
A Rugged Stance Built on an EV Platform
iCAUR says the V23 leans on its all-electric architecture to push the wheels toward the corners of the body, a layout that supports the vehicle’s off-road geometry. The company cites a 43-degree approach angle, a 41-degree departure angle, and 8.3 inches (210 mm) of ground clearance, paired with a near 1:1 width-to-height ratio and a boxy silhouette.
The design borrows recognizable cues from classic utility vehicles rather than current styling trends, according to the company. Notable elements include:
- Round headlights and exposed wipers
- Lego-pixel-style high-mounted stop lights
- A nested “backpack” storage element and C-pillar blind windows
- A transparent millimeter-wave radar cover
- More than 29 reserved modification interfaces for owner-added equipment
iCAUR frames the modular interfaces as a way for owners in different markets to customize the vehicle without altering its core structure.
Where the V23 Is Selling
According to iCAUR, the V23 has led the new energy boxy SUV segment in Southeast Asia for three consecutive months since launch. The company reports that V23 registrations in Thailand exceeded 1,000 units in May, placing the model among the top five all-electric vehicles sold locally that month and at the head of the boxy SUV category.
In Malaysia, iCAUR reports 481 V23 deliveries in May, again leading the new energy boxy SUV market. The model entered South Africa in May, where the company says it secured more than 300 orders within its first month on sale.
Awards Beyond the Red Dot
The Red Dot is one of several recognitions the company highlights for the model. iCAUR reports the V23 topped the midsize all-electric SUV segment in the 2026 J.D. Power China New Energy Vehicle Product Appeal Index Study. At its debut at the Indonesia Auto Show, the company says the V23 took three honors: Best APM Outdoor Activity, Favorite New Car Launch, and Favorite Newcomer Car Brand.
On safety, iCAUR describes the V23 as the first all-electric boxy SUV to receive a five-star rating under ASEAN NCAP, the regional New Car Assessment Program covering Southeast Asian markets.
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