A new Chinese SUV is drawing attention for a price that would look unusually affordable in Canada’s automotive market. Chery’s iCar brand opened pre-orders for the V25 on October 19, 2026, with prices starting at 139,800 yuan, equivalent to approximately US$20,800.
The boxy, five-seat SUV combines electric motors with a gasoline-powered range extender, offering a claimed combined driving range of more than 1,200 kilometres. Its arrival comes as Chery accelerates its international expansion, including plans to introduce its Omoda and Jaecoo brands to Canada before the end of 2026.
The V25 itself has not been confirmed for Canadian sale. Nevertheless, its pricing and technology offer a revealing look at the vehicles emerging from China’s increasingly competitive automotive industry, just as Canada’s revised import policies create new opportunities for Chinese manufacturers.
Chery’s New SUV Starts at Just US$20,800 in China
Chery’s iCar division officially opened pre-orders for the V25 in China on October 19, introducing four versions of the mid-size SUV. The entry-level rear-wheel-drive Pro starts at 139,800 yuan, approximately US$20,800. A better-equipped rear-wheel-drive Max costs 149,800 yuan, while the all-wheel-drive Max+ starts at 163,800 yuan. The range-topping Ultra carries a pre-sale price of 175,800 yuan. The lineup gives Chinese customers a choice between affordability, additional equipment and stronger performance without requiring them to purchase the most expensive configuration.
Chery is also offering reservation incentives. A 1,000-yuan advance payment counts toward 3,000 yuan of the final purchase balance, while a limited-time promotion provides a 2,000-yuan credit toward selected customization packages. The V25 was initially unveiled in August, with an official market launch expected later in 2026. These are Chinese pre-sale prices rather than confirmed final retail prices. They also do not represent Canadian pricing, and the automaker has made no announcement about exporting this particular model to Canada.
The V25 Uses a Gasoline Engine to Extend Electric Driving
Unlike a conventional electric SUV, the iCar V25 combines battery-powered driving with a gasoline engine that generates additional electricity. The vehicle uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine as a range extender, while electric motors provide propulsion. This arrangement allows the SUV to travel on stored battery power during shorter journeys and use gasoline-generated electricity when additional energy is required. It offers an alternative for motorists interested in electric driving but concerned about finding charging stations during longer trips.
The V25 carries a 33.67-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery. Rear-wheel-drive versions use a single electric motor producing 185 kilowatts, equivalent to approximately 248 horsepower. All-wheel-drive models combine two electric motors for a total of 335 kilowatts. Chery reports acceleration from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 8.5 seconds for rear-wheel-drive versions and 5.8 seconds for all-wheel-drive models. Those are manufacturer figures, not independent test results. The arrangement also means the V25 still consumes gasoline and produces emissions when its generator operates, distinguishing it from fully battery-electric vehicles.
A Claimed 1,240-Kilometre Range Comes With Important Conditions
Driving range is one of the V25’s most attention-grabbing specifications. Chery claims the rear-wheel-drive version can travel up to 1,240 kilometres using its battery and gasoline supply, while the all-wheel-drive model is rated for 1,210 kilometres. Under China’s CLTC testing cycle, the rear-wheel-drive model provides an estimated 210 kilometres of battery-only driving, compared with 200 kilometres for the all-wheel-drive version. The company also advertises a 15-minute charging time from 30% to 80% battery capacity under suitable conditions.
Those figures require context, particularly for Canadian motorists. Earlier V25 specifications listed electric-only ranges of approximately 145 to 150 kilometres under the WLTC testing cycle, demonstrating how different test procedures can produce substantially different results. Neither measurement should be presented as a verified Canadian driving range. Cold temperatures, highway speeds, cabin heating and other conditions can increase energy consumption. Research published by the U.S. Department of Energy confirms that winter conditions can significantly affect electric vehicle efficiency. A gasoline range extender provides flexibility, but its actual fuel consumption and total driving range will require independent testing.
Boxy Styling Gives the SUV a Distinctive Outdoor Personality
The V25 follows the retro-inspired design direction established by Chery’s smaller iCar V23 and larger V27. Instead of using the rounded bodywork common to many modern crossovers, the new SUV features an upright profile, prominent wheel arches, circular headlights and relatively short front and rear overhangs. It measures 4,636 millimetres long, 1,920 millimetres wide and 1,855 millimetres tall, with a wheelbase of 2,820 millimetres. Those proportions are intended to combine manageable everyday dimensions with practical cabin space.
Chery also promotes the vehicle’s outdoor capabilities. The manufacturer lists minimum ground clearance of 197 millimetres and a maximum water-wading depth of 600 millimetres, although those figures do not establish its performance in every off-road condition. An 88-degree side-opening tailgate provides access to the cargo area, while an externally mounted 22.7-litre storage compartment creates additional room for smaller belongings. The design could appeal to drivers who enjoy camping, fishing or weekend trips. However, the V25 is positioned primarily for light off-road use rather than as a proven substitute for a dedicated heavy-duty off-road vehicle.
The Interior Combines Modern Screens With Familiar Controls
Inside the V25, Chery has combined digital technology with several conventional controls. The cabin features a 15.4-inch central touchscreen and supports smartphone connectivity through systems including Apple CarPlay, Huawei HiCar and Carlink. Physical buttons remain available for selected functions, reducing the need to navigate touchscreen menus for every adjustment. The front seatbacks can also recline flat, creating a more flexible resting arrangement during stops. These details reflect an effort to make the vehicle feel practical as well as technologically advanced.
The more sophisticated driver-assistance equipment is another selling point, although availability depends on the selected trim. Higher-specification versions can feature Chery’s Falcon 700+ system, supported by Horizon Robotics’ Journey 6P processor with a stated computing capability of 560 TOPS. The system is designed to assist with highway navigation, urban driving and parking, while certain configurations offer LiDAR equipment. These functions remain driver-assistance technologies, not fully autonomous driving. The driver must monitor the road and remain prepared to intervene. As with other advertised features, Canadian availability and regulatory approval cannot be assumed from Chinese specifications.
Chery Is Expanding Through Several Brands Instead of Just One
The iCar V25 is part of a much larger international strategy. Chery sold approximately 2.8 million vehicles worldwide in 2025 and has increasingly relied on multiple brands to reach different customers. Its portfolio includes the core Chery nameplate, Omoda, Jaecoo, Jetour, Exeed and the adventure-oriented iCar business. Rather than placing every product under the same badge, the company can use separate identities to target customers interested in urban crossovers, premium SUVs, electrified transportation and outdoor-oriented vehicles.
The strategy is already visible outside China. In July 2026, Chery began producing the iCar V23 in Malaysia, expanding its overseas manufacturing operations. The company has also confirmed plans to introduce the iCar brand to Britain under the iCaur name in early 2027, beginning with the larger V27 SUV. In the United Kingdom, Chery’s various brands accounted for approximately 7% of new-vehicle sales during the first nine months of 2026. This international expansion demonstrates Chery’s growing reach, although a model’s availability in one foreign market does not establish that it will be offered in another.
Omoda and Jaecoo Are Targeting Canada Before the End of 2026
For Canadian motorists, the more immediate development involves Chery’s Omoda and Jaecoo brands. In September 2026, the two brands launched a bilingual Canadian website announcing plans to arrive in late 2026. The site promotes upcoming electrified SUVs and allows interested consumers to register for updates. It also indicates that the company is developing a Canadian retail network, providing the clearest public signal yet of its intentions to establish a local sales presence.
However, the announcement leaves several important questions unanswered. Chery has not publicly confirmed the first Omoda or Jaecoo models that Canadians will be able to purchase, their Canadian prices or specific dealership locations. The website also cautions that vehicles shown in promotional materials are intended for other markets and may not reflect final Canadian specifications. That distinction is especially important because the V25’s Chinese pre-order announcement is separate from the Canadian market-entry plans. At present, Omoda and Jaecoo are the brands with a stated Canadian launch target, while no equivalent Canadian announcement has been made for the iCar V25.
Existing Omoda and Jaecoo SUVs Offer Clues About Future Competition
Although the Canadian model lineup remains unconfirmed, Omoda and Jaecoo already sell several electrified SUVs internationally. The Omoda E5 is a compact battery-electric crossover offered in overseas markets, with a battery of approximately 61 kilowatt-hours and a reported WLTP driving range of around 430 kilometres. The Jaecoo J5 EV, known as the E5 in some markets, offers another compact electric option. Its British-market specifications include a 60.9-kilowatt-hour battery and approximately 399 kilometres of WLTP range.
The group also markets plug-in hybrids, including the Jaecoo 7 SHS-P, which combines a turbocharged gasoline engine with electric propulsion. This gives Chery several potential approaches to Canadian consumers, from fully electric commuting to longer-distance travel using gasoline and electricity. Canadian automotive publications have identified the Omoda E5 and Jaecoo J5 EV as possible models to watch, partly because related vehicles have been marketed or tested internationally. However, these remain potential candidates rather than confirmed Canadian products. Pricing, equipment, battery specifications and safety certification could all change before any local introduction.
Canada’s New Import Rules Have Opened the Door to Chinese Vehicles
Canada’s revised trade policy is a major reason Chinese automakers are taking a closer look at the country. On March 1, 2026, Ottawa replaced the additional 100% surtax on designated Chinese-made electrified vehicles with a controlled import-quota system. Qualifying vehicles entering under that program face the normal 6.1% most-favoured-nation tariff. The first annual quota allows 49,000 vehicles, with the permitted quantity scheduled to increase by 6.5% annually. The opening follows a broader January trade arrangement between Canada and China.
The policy does not give manufacturers unrestricted access. Importers must obtain shipment-specific permits from Global Affairs Canada, and covered vehicles cannot legally enter without the required authorization. The quota applies to specified electric and hybrid vehicle tariff classifications, with eligibility determined by the vehicle’s manufacturing origin rather than simply the nationality of its parent company. Once the permitted annual volume is exhausted, further imports under the controlled categories cannot be authorized until quota space becomes available again. For Omoda and Jaecoo, this creates a potential pathway into Canada, but certification and import permits remain essential.
Official Import Figures Show Canada’s Opening Remains Limited
The latest available government figures demonstrate that Canada’s import opening is still developing. In a report updated October 9, 2026, Global Affairs Canada recorded 15,931 vehicles against the first-year quota of 49,000. That left 33,069 units of available quota capacity. Most recorded utilization occurred between March and August, when the total reached 15,603 units. September accounted for a further 328 units. The quota year runs until February 28, 2027, leaving room for additional eligible shipments.
These figures should not be interpreted as sales by Chery or by newly established Chinese automotive brands. The program covers qualifying vehicles manufactured in China, including those belonging to manufacturers headquartered elsewhere. Its reporting also measures quota utilization rather than retail purchases by Canadian households. Ottawa estimates that the initial 49,000-unit allowance represents less than 3% of Canada’s overall new-vehicle market, meaning the immediate competitive effect is limited by design. For new entrants such as Omoda and Jaecoo, the opportunity exists, but gaining a meaningful presence will require products that meet Canadian regulations and a retail operation capable of delivering them.
A US$20,800 Chinese Price Does Not Guarantee a Bargain in Canada
The V25’s Chinese starting price offers a glimpse of Chery’s pricing strategy, but it cannot be directly translated into a Canadian dealership price. A vehicle officially imported into Canada can incur transportation, distribution, regulatory compliance and other costs, along with applicable taxes and tariffs. Exchange-rate movements also affect how international prices compare. Because no Canadian V25 launch or price has been announced, suggesting that Canadians will be able to purchase the SUV for the equivalent of US$20,800 would be misleading.
Ottawa’s import arrangement contains an affordability provision, but that also requires clarification. Beginning in the second quota year, 10% of the allowance is scheduled to be reserved for vehicles with a free-on-board import value of C$35,000 or less. That share is intended to rise to 50% by the fifth year. The threshold concerns import valuation, not the final showroom price. Separately, Canada’s Electric Vehicle Affordability Program offers up to C$5,000 for eligible battery-electric vehicles and up to C$2,500 for qualifying plug-in hybrids in 2026. However, vehicles must be manufactured in Canada or a country with which Canada has a free-trade agreement. China-built vehicles do not automatically qualify simply because they enter at the reduced tariff.
Dealership Support and Canadian Manufacturing Will Be the Real Tests
For Chery’s Canadian expansion to succeed, attractive specifications and competitive pricing will need to be supported by a dependable ownership experience. Transport Canada requires newly imported vehicles to comply with applicable Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, while manufacturers must be capable of meeting recall and related regulatory responsibilities. New brands also need functioning parts distribution, service facilities and warranty arrangements. A Canadian family considering an unfamiliar electric SUV will likely examine where the nearest qualified technician works and how long replacement components could take to arrive.
Competition is arriving as Canada’s own automotive industry faces significant uncertainty. Federal figures show that the sector supports approximately 125,000 direct jobs and exports more than 90% of Canadian-made vehicles to the United States. Meanwhile, Statistics Canada reported 58,811 new zero-emission vehicle registrations in the second quarter of 2026, an increase of 26.7% from a year earlier. Chinese manufacturers could expand consumer choice and create pressure for more affordable electric vehicles, while also intensifying competition for established brands. For now, Chery’s US$20,800 V25 remains a Chinese-market offering. The more immediate Canadian story is whether Omoda and Jaecoo can turn their announced arrival plans into certified vehicles, competitive prices and reliable local dealerships.
