Verdict
At RM116,800, the Chery O5 is RM3,000 cheaper and suits buyers who need its much larger 378-litre boot and a familiar 1.5-litre turbo petrol setup. The iCaur 03 is the more specialised choice: its 65.69-kWh battery delivers a quoted 355 km range, with 80-kW DC charging and 3.2-kW V2L. It is also wider, taller and rides on a 85-mm-longer wheelbase, while its 181-hp rear motor beats the O5’s 145 hp. But the iCaur’s 264-litre boot is a serious trade-off for family use.
Pick the Chery O5 if you want the lower RM120 annual road tax, 378-litre boot and 230 Nm turbo-petrol torque.
Pick the iCaur 03 if you can charge an EV and want 355 km of quoted range, rear-wheel drive and V2L.
Key differences
- Price: Chery O5 RM116,800; iCaur 03 RM119,800.
- Powertrain: O5 has a 145-hp/230-Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine; iCaur 03 has a 181-hp/220-Nm electric motor.
- Energy and range: O5 has a 51-litre petrol tank; iCaur 03 has a 65.69-kWh battery and 355 km EV range.
- Driveline: O5 is front-wheel drive with a six-speed wet DCT; iCaur 03 is rear-wheel drive with a single-ratio automatic.
- Dimensions and boot: O5 is 4,400 mm long with a 2,630-mm wheelbase and 378-litre boot; iCaur 03 is 4,406 mm long with a 2,715-mm wheelbase and 264-litre boot.
- Infotainment: O5 gets a 10.25-inch screen and eight-speaker Sony audio; iCaur 03 gets a 15.6-inch screen and 12-speaker Infinity audio.
O5
- RM3,000 lower purchase price
- 378-litre boot is 114 litres larger
- Front foglamps and a space-saver spare tyre
- 145 hp versus the iCaur 03's 181 hp
- Shorter 2,630-mm wheelbase versus 2,715 mm
- No EV range, 80-kW DC charging or 3.2-kW V2L
03
- 355 km quoted EV range from a 65.69-kWh battery
- 181-hp rear motor and rear-wheel drive
- Panoramic sliding roof, rear-seat ventilation and 12-speaker Infinity audio
- 264-litre boot versus the O5's 378 litres
- RM140 annual road tax versus RM120
- 220 Nm versus the O5's 230 Nm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM116,800✓ | RM119,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM140 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 145 hp | — |
| Torque | 230 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 77 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 220 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 65.69 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 355 km |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 80 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.2 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed DCT | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 150 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,406 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,910 mm |
| Height | 1,588 mm | 1,715 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,630 mm | 2,715 mm |
| Weight | 1,434 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 378 litres✓ | 264 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Giti GitiComfort F50 | Chao Yang Radial RP76 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | Available on outer two rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way Power Adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Ventilation |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide, Manual Sunshade | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 1 Front 15W Wireless Charger, 1 Front 12V Socket, 1 Rear USB, 1 Boot 12V Socket | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen Display, Sony Premium Audio with 8 Speakers, Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years | 7 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 Years/160000 km Battery Warranty, Drive Unit & High Voltage Components |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used O5 & 03 for sale
O5 vs 03 FAQ
Is the Chery O5 or iCaur 03 better?
The iCaur 03 is better for buyers with dependable charging, thanks to its 355 km EV range, 80-kW DC charging and 181 hp. Choose the O5 if boot space matters more: it carries 378 litres against 264 litres.
What is the price difference?
The iCaur 03 costs RM3,000 more than the Chery O5. Its higher price brings a 65.69-kWh battery, 355 km quoted range, 80-kW DC charging, V2L and a larger 15.6-inch touchscreen.
Which has the larger boot?
The Chery O5 has the larger boot at 378 litres, 114 litres more than the iCaur 03's 264 litres. Both have 60:40 split-folding rear seats, but the O5 starts with substantially more luggage room.