Jaecoo sibling launches a cut-price Chinese 4x4 - will it be a Land Rover Defender rival?

There seems to be a never-ending stream of Chinese car brands launching in the UK, but few are dedicated off-road marques aiming to take on the likes of Land Rover and Mercedes.That is set to change, as China's electrified 4x4 brand arrives in Britain next year.Chery Group – which already operates Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo and Lepas in the UK – is bringing its iCaur marque to our shores as a standalone brand, led by its flagship V27 model.When the chunky iCaur V27 arrives, it will undercut both its British and German competitors.While I haven't driven the V27 yet, I had the chance to get behind the wheel of its smaller sibling, the V23, in China last year to get a feel for the brand.Prices for the V27 are likely to start from €55,000 (around £46,000). By comparison, the Land Rover Defender 110 starts at £64,315, the Toyota Land Cruiser at £80,945, and the Mercedes G-Class at a minimum of £130,000. Chinese electrified 4x4 brand iCaur is coming to the UK next year - and its V27 flagship model will be the first model to arrive. What do we know about the Defender rival?What is iCaur?iCaur originated as a collaboration between Chery – China's largest car exporter – and Smartmi Tech, a supplier to tech giant-turned-EV maker Xiaomi.The SUVs iCaur design have the aim to look and drive – albeit with modern refinement – like the boxy, rugged, adventure-focused light off-roaders of old.And they utilise electric and range-extender powertrains, instead of plug-in hybrid technology. The V23 was iCaur's first global model, and sets the tone for iCaur's future lineup: off-road 4x4s made for cities as well as hardcore terrain. iCaur is also positioned as an affordable brand. The equivalent pricing of the V23 is £22,000 in China – a couple of thousand pounds more than a Suzuki Jimny. The iCaur V27 blends Land Cruiser, Defender and G-Wagon looks into one 4x4, prioritising a utilitarian look that is also modern The V27 has a powerful, square look that is designed to evoke the spirit of the mountainsLand Cruiser looks to target chunky 4x4 fans The V27 will serve as iCaur's flagship SUV and its inaugural launch model in the UK.The all-round hybrid SUV blends a bit more Land Cruiser styling into the V23's G-Wagon/Jimny cues.With a concave bonnet, pronounced wheel arches, angular shoulders, a defined beltline and flat body panels, iCaur has a powerful, square, old-school utilitarian look.Inside the five-seater, you'll find a cabin focused on practical usability. There are soft-touch surfaces, heated and cooled armrests, 64-colour ambient lighting and extendable sun visors. The displays pair a 15.4-inch central touchscreen with an 8.8-inch driver display.While featuring fewer physical controls than the V23, the V27 retains a dedicated panel of chrome toggle switches so you aren't entirely reliant on screen menus – a common criticism of Chinese cars. Inside you get a lot of creatures comforts and advanced tech, including a 15.4-inch touchscreen and a 8.8-inch driver's display The cabin is light and airy due to the split panoramic sunroofs and frameless rear window. There's 1,818 litres of cargo spaceDuring our drive in China, we were impressed by iCaur's infotainment system – and the V27 is likely to be similar to use.Despite being entirely in Chinese, its iPhone-like widget setup made navigation intuitive, lightning-fast, and minimal on driver distraction. The central screen runs on the latest Snapdragon SA8155 processor and offers full Apple CarPlay integration alongside voice controls.Practicality and airiness are other interior focuses. A frameless rear window, low waistline, and split panoramic sunroofs enhance cabin light and airiness, complementing a maximum 1,818-litre cargo area. Fold the second row flat, and you gain a massive 2,150 x 1,050 mm flat surface ready for work, gear, or outdoor adventure. iCaur has only confirmed that the V27 will have an advanced Chery powertrain but it uses a range extender system in order markets so this electrified system could also come to the UKThe V27 could be a range extender (REX) Confirmed technical details for the UK-bound iCaur V27 are sparse. iCaur has stated only that the SUV will feature an advanced powertrain from Chery International, designed to deliver electrified efficiency alongside off-road capability.We do know the international-market V27 utilises a range-extender petrol engine ranked among China's top ten powertrains, achieving 45.79 per cent thermal efficiency while weighing just 106kg. A range extender uses the internal combustion engine (usually petrol) only to act as a generator to recharge the battery when it runs low.The thermal efficiency of the V27's system allows it to generate 3.71 kWh of energy per litre of fuel.The vehicle automatically switches between pure-electric, hybrid balance, and fuel-priority modes based on battery state and driving conditions.However, the UK-bound V27 may adopt a different powertrain setup tailored specifically for local requirements. iCaur says the V27 will be refined and developed for British roads at Chery's new R&D Centre at the UTAC Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire. The iCaur V27 will launch the brand in the UK when it arrives in early 2027. We don't know pricing yet but the European V27 costs around £46,000 - £18,000 less than a Defender 110iCaur launch details for the UK The V27 will launch the brand in Britain in early 2027.Further details regarding the UK launch schedule and final specification will be revealed in the coming months, following the unveiling of an all-new V25 model next week.We don't 100 per cent know its UK price point yet but it will likely be cheaper than a Defender and G-Class.If the UK model is priced on par with the European V27 (€55,000 or £46,000) then the V27 could undercut the Defender by £18,000 and the G-Class by £84,000. CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST