China's Toyota LandCruiser rival revealed: 2026 iCaur V27 launched from Chery sub-brand launched as large range-extender hybrid SUV to undercut Land Rover Defender 110

Chery sub-brand iCar has finally taken the wraps off its latest offering, the full-size V27 range-extender hybrid SUV.

At 5045mm end-to-end, 1976mm wide and 1894mm tall with a 2900mm wheelbase, the V27 is longer (+65mm), marginally narrower (-14mm) and lower (-61mm) than the Toyota LandCruiser 300, although its wheelbase is 50mm longer.

It’s also appreciably longer (+287mm) yet narrower (-32mm), lower overall (-73mm) and shorter in the wheelbase (-122mm) than the Land Rover Defender 110 it so closely resembles.

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It will hit Chinese showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year, V27 pricing is expected to range between ¥200,000 to ¥250,000, which on a direct currency conversion translates to around $43,000 to $53,500.

Although full powertrain specifications are yet to be confirmed it’s likely the V27 will use a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine acting as a generator only, helping to charge either a 22kWh or 33kWh battery.

Reports out of China suggest single motor RWD and dual-motor AWD versions will be offered, the latter boasting a system output of 335kW and 200km (CLTC) of pure-electric range.

The V27 flagship joins the smaller (Jeep Wrangler-sized) iCar 03T pure-EV and range-extender models as well as the compact V23 EV in the iCar line-up, the brand name tweaked to iCaur for export markets as Apple holds the trademark for iCar outside China.

2026 iCaur V27

Positioned as a “New energy vehicle brand tailored for the young and young-at-heart”, iCaur is rumoured to be heading for sale in the UK with the V23 in the first half of 2026, so right-hand drive production is clearly on the challenger brand’s radar.

Launching the V27 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is also a clear sign of the company’s export intent.

CarsGuide has contacted Chery Australia for comment on the possibility of the iCaur V27 coming to the local market, a company spokesperson telling us earlier this year, “We’re certainly interested in the exciting (iCar) product that was revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show. However, at this early stage there are no confirmed plans.”