Chery V23

First Impressions

Let me be upfront — the Chery V23 is an emotional purchase. I don't buy a car like this for performance benchmarks or off-road bragging rights. I buy it because it looks absolutely fantastic. That boxy silhouette, those round headlights, the aggressive wheel arches — the G-Class DNA is unmistakable and honestly, I think Chery nailed the vibe. Park it next to the real thing and sure, it's not in the same league mechanically, but from across the street? It holds its own.

Design and Exterior

The retro-meets-modern boxy design is the V23's biggest selling point. Round headlights, squared-off fenders, chunky 21-inch wheels wrapped in 265/45 rubber — it all comes together beautifully. The side steps and flush door handles keep things clean, and the rear-mounted storage box on the tailgate mimics the spare tire look of the G-Class.

My one gripe is the side mirrors. They're styled to look sleek and upright, but the actual mirror surface is narrow, making rearward visibility a real issue. Chery apparently offers a larger mirror frame option, but they say it ruins the aesthetics. I'd swap them in a heartbeat — function over form when it comes to safety.

Interior and Tech

Inside, the V23 goes for a minimal, clean look that works well. The square air vents match the boxy theme, and I appreciate having physical buttons for the climate control rather than burying everything in the touchscreen. The drive mode selection is impressive — Eco, Comfort, Sport, Slippery, Off-road, and a fully customizable Individual mode where you can dial in steering weight, throttle response, brake regen, and more.

The ADAS package is comprehensive with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. The 360-degree camera system works well and is genuinely useful given the car's dimensions. Where the interior falls short is storage. There's no glovebox, no drawers, just a hanging compartment and small door pockets. For daily use, that's frustrating.

Driving Experience

In the city, the V23 is genuinely pleasant. The electric torque is immediate and smooth — more than enough with over 200 Nm on tap. Maneuvering through tight streets and U-turns is surprisingly easy thanks to a compact turning radius and good visibility from the elevated seating position. At urban speeds of 40-60 km/h, everything feels composed and confidence-inspiring.

Push beyond 100 km/h and the picture changes dramatically. The suspension, a MacPherson strut front and multilink rear setup, is tuned far too soft. The body wallows and bobs, and sudden lane changes make it feel genuinely unsettled. The steering remains feather-light even in sport mode — I wanted more weight and feedback, especially on the expressway where it felt too easy to overcorrect. I've already fed this back to Chery and they seem receptive to firming things up for future versions.

Range and Charging

Real-world range lands around 380-390 km in mixed driving, dropping to about 340 km on the expressway. For city-only use that's perfectly adequate — charge at home overnight and you'll rarely think about it. The limitation is DC fast charging, maxing out at 80 kW with an 81 kWh battery. That means a full charge takes roughly an hour, which makes long road trips require patience and planning. Trips to nearby provinces are doable, but anything further demands careful route planning around chargers.

Value for Money

Feature-for-feature, the V23 punches above what you'd expect. Full ADAS, 360-degree camera, multiple drive modes, strong electric powertrain — Japanese competitors at this level simply don't match the tech spec sheet. The build quality is decent and the design alone will have people stopping to look. The trade-off is in driving refinement, where the suspension tuning and steering feel remind you that this is still a developing product.

Final Verdict

The Chery V23 is not the best-driving car I've tested, but it might be one of the coolest-looking EVs available. If you love the boxy aesthetic, want something that looks bold on city streets, and primarily drive in urban environments, this car makes a compelling case. Just don't expect it to be a high-speed cruiser or a serious off-roader. Know its limits, embrace the style, and you'll have a great time with it.