JSW Motors’ upcoming electric SUV has made an appearance far from home. The Chery iCaur V23 was showcased at the ongoing 2026 Indonesia Motor Show in Jakarta, and it is set to be one of the first launches from JSW’s independent automobile division, expected to arrive in India within the next year, possibly alongside the JeTour T2. For Indian buyers tracking the country’s fast-growing EV space, this global showcase offers the clearest look yet at what the rebadged SUV will bring to local roads.
Design: Boxy, Rugged, and Unmistakably Retro
The iCaur V23 leans hard into a retro-off-roader aesthetic rather than the swoopy, aerodynamic look common among modern EVs. Circular headlamps sit toward the inner edge of the front fascia, flanked by LED turn indicators, while an off-road-friendly bumper reinforces the rugged theme. The side profile continues this styling language with black and white wheel cladding, gloss black ORVMs, flush-fitting door handles with integrated lighting, and a charging port positioned on the right rear fender.
Around back, a large black spoiler, rectangular LED taillights, and a rear bumper plate recess below the windshield stand out, along with what appears to be a dedicated box for storing the charging cable, complete with a customisable LED board. It’s a design that borrows visual cues from icons like the Toyota FJ Cruiser, giving it a distinct identity in a market crowded with lookalike crossovers.
Inside the Cabin
The interior swaps rugged cues for a tech-forward layout. A large, squared-off touchscreen dominates the dashboard, accompanied by three AC vents, four rotary dials, and five buttons on the centre console. Other notable touches include a wireless charger ahead of the armrest, a three-spoke steering wheel, ambient lighting, and all-black upholstery.
Practical bits round out the cabin: a manual IRVM, grab handles on the A-pillars, adjustable rear headrests, and automatic climate control. One notable omission is a sunroof; the iCaur V23 does not feature an electric sunroof, a segment staple many Indian buyers actively look for, so this could be a talking point once local specs are confirmed.
Powertrain and Range
Globally, the iCaur V23 is offered with two battery options. An 81.76kWh pack powers a dual-motor setup producing 201bhp and 292Nm, while a smaller 59.93kWh pack delivers 134bhp and 180Nm in a 2WD configuration. Claimed range for the larger battery sits at roughly 430km, with the smaller pack managing around 360km on international test cycles figures that should be read as indicative until India-spec certification numbers arrive.
Why This Matters for India
JSW Motors is building an independent EV portfolio in India through its partnership with Chery, separate from its existing MG Motor joint venture. The iCaur V23 has already been spotted testing on Indian roads multiple times through 2026, suggesting a local launch is drawing closer, likely positioned against rivals such as the Mahindra BE 6 and Hyundai Creta Electric, with expected pricing in the Rs 20-30 lakh bracket.
With local assembly reportedly planned at JSW’s upcoming facility in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, the iCaur V23 could mark one of the more distinctive entries in India’s midsize electric SUV segment, a genuine retro-styled alternative in a market currently dominated by conventional crossover silhouettes. As testing mules continue to surface and JSW inches toward an official brand debut, expect more concrete details on India-spec features, battery options, and pricing in the coming months.
Rajababu Kushwaha is the Founder and Editor of AutoCrest. He covers the latest car news, reviews, comparisons, EV updates, and buying guides for Indian car buyers.