iCAUR V23 puts safety technology to work in everyday driving

With a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating, all-road capability and added driver-assistance technology on the AWD model, the V23 is designed to help drivers feel more confident behind the wheel.

• The iCAUR V23 uses transparent corner radar and a 15.4-inch HD central screen to give drivers a clearer view of front, rear and side blind spots.
• More than a dozen driver-assistance systems, including AEB, Lane Departure Warning, Auto Hold and Electronic Stability Control, support everyday driving situations such as braking, lane changes, hill starts and stop-start traffic.
• The V23’s 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating, i-AWD system and 210 mm ground clearance strengthen its safety and confidence credentials on wet roads, uneven surfaces and mild unpaved routes.

Drivers often face the same pressure points: judging the space around the vehicle, reversing safely, changing lanes, moving through traffic and staying composed when the road surface changes.

These are the situations iCAUR has focused on with the V23. The SUV brings together safety and driver-assistance systems designed to make everyday driving easier to manage, from its blind-spot visibility technology to its braking, lane-warning and stability systems.

The focus reflects a wider shift in what motorists expect from a vehicle. Research conducted by the AA Driving School found that 78% of drivers surveyed had felt anxious behind the wheel in the previous year. Furthermore, an S&P Global Mobility research shows that safety remains a major purchase consideration, with 91% of global respondents saying they consider safety ratings when buying a new vehicle. A further 81% said they would be willing to pay extra for vehicles with higher safety ratings.

One of the most common challenges for new drivers is judging the space around the vehicle. Blind spots, side traffic and rear visibility can make routine manoeuvres feel more difficult, particularly when reversing or changing lanes. The V23 addresses this with transparent corner radar, which provides real-time monitoring of front, rear, and side blind spots. The vehicle’s surround-view is displayed on a 15.4-inch HD central screen, helping drivers better understand their position relative to nearby obstacles. This gives drivers clearer information in complex traffic situations and supports more confident decision-making.

Additionally, the V23 AWD is equipped with more than a dozen advanced driver-assistance systems. This includes Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Lane Departure Warning, or LDW, with the former able to intervene to slow or stop the vehicle entirely if the driver does not brake in time, while LDW alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift from its lane unintentionally.

Auto Hold and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are also fitted as standard to both models, helping to simplify hill starts, stop-start traffic and other everyday driving scenarios where new drivers may be more prone to hesitation or error. These safety credentials are supported by the V23’s performance in ASEAN NCAP testing, where it achieved a score of 91.02 points and secured a 5-star safety rating.

“South African drivers deal with a wide range of road conditions every day, from congested urban routes and sudden weather changes to uneven surfaces and long-distance travel,” says Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager at iCAUR South Africa and OMODA & JAECOO South Africa. “The latest RMTC figures show that SA recorded 12,172 road fatalities in 2024, while the first quarter of 2025 alone saw 2,403 fatalities and 2,050 fatal crashes.”

“Against that backdrop, safety technology has to be practical. It needs to support the driver in real situations, whether that means maintaining visibility, helping avoid a collision, or giving the vehicle greater stability when conditions change. That is where the V23 has been carefully considered,” added Gahagan.

The V23 has also been designed to give drivers greater reassurance when road conditions become more demanding. Its i-AWD intelligent all-wheel-drive electronic torque-vectoring system detects changes in the road surface in real time. It distributes torque across all four wheels to help maintain stability, including on wet urban roads. With a minimum ground clearance of 210 mm, short overhangs, a 41-degree approach angle, and a 35-degree departure angle, the V23 is also equipped to handle speed bumps, rough roads and gravel with greater ease.

Inside the cabin, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 automotive chip supports the responsive voice interaction system. This allows drivers to adjust the navigation and climate settings without taking their eyes off the road. Physical knobs for core functions further support intuitive operation and help reduce driver distraction.

For iCAUR, safety technology must be useful in the moments drivers experience every day. In the V23, that means bringing together visibility, stability, and driver-assistance systems in a way that helps make the vehicle easier to place, control and trust.