Chery O5 vs iCaur 03
Verdict
At RM116,800, the Chery O5 undercuts the RM119,800 iCaur 03 by RM3,000 and feels the more conventional buy: a 1.5 litre turbo petrol SUV with 145 hp, 230 Nm and a bigger 378 litre boot. The iCaur 03 counters as the EV choice, with one rear motor making 181 hp and 220 Nm, a 65.69 kWh LFP battery, 355 km range and 80 kW DC charging. It is also wider, taller and longer in wheelbase, but gives up luggage space.
O5
Pick the Chery O5 if you want the cheaper petrol SUV with more boot space, a powered tailgate and a listed spare tyre.
03
Pick the iCaur 03 if you want an electric SUV with stronger motor output, rear-wheel drive, longer wheelbase and a larger screen/audio package.
Key differences
- Price: Chery O5 RM116,800; iCaur 03 RM119,800
- Powertrain output: Chery O5 145 hp/230 Nm petrol; iCaur 03 181 hp/220 Nm electric motor
- Boot space: Chery O5 378 litres; iCaur 03 264 litres
- Size: Chery O5 4,400/1,830/1,588 mm; iCaur 03 4,406/1,910/1,715 mm
- Wheelbase: Chery O5 2,630 mm; iCaur 03 2,715 mm
- Road tax: Chery O5 RM120/year; iCaur 03 RM140/year
O5
- RM3,000 cheaper to buy
- Larger 378 litre boot
- Powered boot, front fog lamps and space-saver spare tyre listed
- Lower power output at 145 hp versus 181 hp
- Shorter 2,630 mm wheelbase versus 2,715 mm
- Smaller 10.25-inch touchscreen versus 15.6 inches
03
- 181 hp electric motor and rear-wheel drive
- 355 km EV range from a 65.69 kWh LFP battery
- 15.6-inch touchscreen, navigation and 12-speaker Infinity audio
- RM3,000 higher purchase price
- Smaller 264 litre boot
- No front fog lamps or listed spare tyre
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 116,800✓ | RM 119,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 145 hp | — |
| Torque | 230 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 77 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 220 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium Iron Phosphate |
| Battery Capacity | — | 65.69 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 355 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 80 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 140 |
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.
O5 vs 03 FAQ
Is the Chery O5 or iCaur 03 better?
The iCaur 03 is better if you want an EV with more power and a larger footprint. The Chery O5 is better if you value price, boot space and petrol convenience.
What is the price difference?
The Chery O5 costs RM116,800 and the iCaur 03 costs RM119,800, so the iCaur 03 is RM3,000 dearer.
Which has more boot space?
The Chery O5 has the larger boot at 378 litres. The iCaur 03 has 264 litres, so it gives away 114 litres of luggage capacity.