Verdict
At RM119,800, the iCaur 03 costs just RM450 more than the RM119,350 Jetour VT9, but they answer very different Malaysian needs. The iCaur is a five-seat EV with a 65.69 kWh battery, 355 km range and 80 kW DC charging, plus blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. The locally assembled VT9 brings seven seats, a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with 154 hp and 230 Nm, and a 57-litre tank. Pick seating capacity and petrol convenience, or the iCaur’s EV running format and much fuller driver-assistance kit.
Pick the iCaur 03 if you can charge regularly, need five seats and want 355 km EV range with autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
Pick the Jetour VT9 if seven seats, a 57-litre petrol tank and Malaysian CKD assembly matter more than EV driving and active safety assistance.
Key differences
- Price: iCaur 03 RM119,800; Jetour VT9 RM119,350.
- Powertrain: iCaur 03 has one 181 hp/220 Nm electric motor; VT9 has a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with 154 hp/230 Nm.
- Range or fuel storage: iCaur 03 has a 65.69 kWh battery and 355 km EV range; VT9 has a 57-litre petrol tank.
- Seating and boot: iCaur 03 has 5 seats and 264 litres; VT9 has 7 seats and 89 litres.
- Length and wheels: iCaur 03 is 4,406 mm long on 18-inch wheels; VT9 is 4,724 mm long on 19-inch wheels.
- Safety assistance: iCaur 03 has blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist; VT9 has none of these listed.
03
- 355 km EV range from a 65.69 kWh battery
- Blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist
- 15.6-inch screen, 12-speaker Infinity audio and ventilated front seats
- Five seats versus the VT9's seven
- RM450 more expensive
- No space-saver spare tyre listed; the VT9 gets one
VT9
- Seven seats and a 57-litre petrol tank
- Locally assembled CKD model
- 19-inch wheels and powered tailgate
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- 89-litre boot is 175 litres smaller than the iCaur 03's 264 litres
- 10.25-inch screen, four speakers and wired phone integration trail the iCaur's 15.6-inch, 12-speaker wireless setup
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,800 | RM119,350✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM140 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 154 hp |
| Torque | — | 230 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| 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 | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed DCT |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 150 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,406 mm | 4,724 mm |
| Width | 1,910 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,715 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,715 mm | 2,720 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,551 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 57 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 264 litres✓ | 89 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Chao Yang Radial RP76 | Sailun Terramax SV301 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | Available for Outer Two Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Ventilation | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-A Front, 2 USB-A Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Operation (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Surround View 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 | 10 Years, 1,000,000 km Engine Warranty |
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 03 & VT9 for sale
03 vs VT9 FAQ
Is the iCaur 03 or Jetour VT9 better?
The iCaur 03 is better for a five-seat EV buyer with home or workplace charging, 355 km range and active safety assistance. The Jetour VT9 is better if seven seats and a petrol powertrain are non-negotiable.
What is the price difference?
The iCaur 03 costs RM119,800 and the Jetour VT9 costs RM119,350, so the iCaur is RM450 dearer.
Which has more usable luggage space?
The iCaur 03 has the larger quoted boot at 264 litres, versus 89 litres for the seven-seat Jetour VT9. The VT9 trades cargo volume for its third row.