The Chery V23 is the automotive equivalent of digging out your dad’s old Land Rover photos and thinking, “I could do that… but cheaper.” Boxy, retro, and electric—this little SUV wears its Defender inspiration like a badge of honour, but without charging a Bitcoin for the privilege.

It comes in three flavors: a modest 134-hp RWD starter, a mid-range with a bigger battery, and a 211-hp AWD brute that claims a 501-mile range—though don’t bet your lunch on that in the real world.

Charging is surprisingly sprightly for an EV of this price, and inside, a 15.4-inch screen powered by a Snapdragon chip keeps you connected, while a full suite of ADAS features does the worrying for you.

Off-road? It’s capable enough to look convincing, with decent clearance, approach angles, and a roof rack, but this isn’t a real Defender; it’s a lifestyle statement in electric form.

At $13,700 to $21,000, it undercuts almost everything that looks similar, proving you can have rugged styling, quirky charm, and modern tech without breaking the bank.

It’s less about conquering mountains and more about conquering Instagram feeds—but honestly, it does that with panache.