Verdict
At RM132,780, the iCaur V23 undercuts the Tesla Model 3 by RM16,220 and brings all-wheel drive, a larger 81.76-kWh battery and 3.3-kW vehicle-to-load output. Its 430-km range, 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time and 140-km/h top speed make it the less convincing long-distance EV, however. The RM149,000 Model 3 reaches 534 km from 62.5 kWh, charges at up to 170 kW DC and carries five people with a 594-litre boot. For most Malaysian households, that is a meaningful practical advantage; the V23 suits buyers who prioritise SUV height, AWD and V2L.
Pick the iCaur V23 if you want an all-wheel-drive SUV with 3.3-kW V2L, ventilated front seats and a seven-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty for less money.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you need the 534-km range, faster 170-kW DC charging, five seats and a far larger 594-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: iCaur V23 RM132,780; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Range and battery: iCaur V23 430 km and 81.76 kWh; Tesla Model 3 534 km and 62.5 kWh.
- Performance: iCaur V23 208 hp, 292 Nm and 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h; Tesla Model 3 279 hp, 420 Nm and 6.2 seconds.
- Charging: iCaur V23 6.6 kW AC and 104 kW DC; Tesla Model 3 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC.
- Practicality: iCaur V23 has four seats and a 234-litre boot; Tesla Model 3 has five seats and a 594-litre boot.
- Driveline and V2L: iCaur V23 is AWD with 3.3-kW V2L; Tesla Model 3 is RWD with no V2L.
V23
- RM16,220 cheaper with all-wheel drive.
- 3.3-kW V2L and ventilated powered front seats.
- Seven-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty.
- 430-km range trails the Model 3's 534 km despite its larger 81.76-kWh battery.
- 104-kW DC and 6.6-kW AC charging are slower than 170 kW and 11 kW.
- Four seats and a 234-litre boot are far less useful than five seats and 594 litres.
Model 3
- 534-km range, 170-kW DC charging and 11-kW AC charging.
- Quicker 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time, with 279 hp and 420 Nm.
- Five seats, 594-litre boot, panoramic glass roof and rear air vents.
- RM16,220 more expensive.
- Rear-wheel drive versus the V23's all-wheel drive.
- No V2L, while the V23 supplies up to 3.3 kW.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM132,780✓ | RM149,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM180✓ | RM280 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 208 hp | 279 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 292 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 81.76 kWh✓ | 62.5 kWh |
| EV Range | 430 km | 534 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | 11 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 104 kW | 170 kW✓ |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Tesla |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,220 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,915 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,845 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,735 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,820 kg | — |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 234 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/45R21 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/45R21 | 255/45R18 |
| Factory Tyres | Chao Yang Radial RP76+ | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on rear seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 50:50 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 15.4" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Years/160000 km Battery Warranty, Drive Unit & High Voltage Components | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
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 V23 & Model 3 for sale
V23 vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the iCaur V23 or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is the better all-round choice for range, charging speed, acceleration and family carrying capacity. Choose the iCaur V23 instead if all-wheel drive, V2L, SUV body style and the lower purchase price matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM149,000 and the iCaur V23 costs RM132,780, so the gap is RM16,220. The Tesla adds 104 km of range, quicker charging, a fifth seat and 360 litres more boot space.
Which charges faster?
The Tesla Model 3 charges faster on both common measures: up to 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC, against the iCaur V23's 6.6 kW AC and 104 kW DC. The V23 counters with 3.3-kW V2L output.