Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the GAC Emkoo is the practical, faster choice: its 175 hp, 270 Nm 1.5-litre turbo reaches 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds and carries 638 litres in the boot. The iCaur 03 takes 10.5 seconds and has a 450-litre boot, but its 65.69-kWh battery gives 426 km of EV range, with 80-kW DC charging and 3.2-kW V2L. Choose it if home or public charging fits your routine; it also has the longer warranty.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you need the larger 638-litre boot, quicker 8.8-second century sprint and petrol power.
Pick the iCaur 03 if you can charge regularly and want 426 km of EV range, V2L and longer warranty coverage.
Key differences
- Price: GAC Emkoo RM123,800; iCaur 03 RM119,740.
- Powertrain: GAC Emkoo 1.5-litre turbo with 175 hp and 270 Nm; iCaur 03 motor with 181 hp and 220 Nm.
- Acceleration: GAC Emkoo 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds; iCaur 03 in 10.5 seconds.
- Boot space: GAC Emkoo 638 litres; iCaur 03 450 litres.
- Energy storage: GAC Emkoo 55-litre petrol tank; iCaur 03 65.69-kWh battery with 426 km range.
- Warranty: GAC Emkoo five years/150,000 km; iCaur 03 seven years/150,000 km.
Emkoo
- Quicker 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time
- 638-litre boot
- 19-inch wheels and head-up display
- Shorter five-year vehicle warranty
- Single-zone climate control versus dual-zone
- Six-speaker audio versus 12-speaker Infinity system
03
- 426 km EV range and 80-kW DC charging
- Seven-year vehicle warranty plus 10-year/200,000 km battery coverage
- 12-speaker Infinity audio and rear-seat ventilation
- Slower 10.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 450-litre boot
- No head-up display
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM123,800 | RM119,740✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM140 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 175 hp at 5,500 rpm | — |
| Torque | 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 220 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 65.69 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 426 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 6.6 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 80 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.2 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7DCT | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds✓ | 10.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h✓ | 150 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,680 mm | 4,406 mm |
| Width | 1,901 mm | 1,910 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,715 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,715 mm |
| Weight | 1,540 kg | 1,775 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 638 litres✓ | 450 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | GitiControl P10 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on outer two rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilated Driver's Seat | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Manual Recline | 60:40 Split-folding with Ventilation |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| 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 | Powered Boot | Remote Control Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 7 Year, 180,000 km Powertrain Warranty | Power battery 10-yr/200,000 km; drive unit and HV components 10-yr/200,000 km; one-to-one battery replacement below 60% health |
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 Emkoo & 03 for sale
Emkoo vs 03 FAQ
Is the GAC Emkoo or iCaur 03 better?
The GAC Emkoo is better for outright pace and luggage capacity, reaching 100 km/h 1.7 seconds sooner and providing 188 litres more boot space. The iCaur 03 is the better fit for drivers able to charge an EV and use its 426 km range.
What is the price difference?
The GAC Emkoo costs RM123,800 and the iCaur 03 costs RM119,740, so the GAC is RM4,060 more expensive.
Can the iCaur 03 power external appliances?
Yes. The iCaur 03 has 3.2-kW vehicle-to-load capability. It also supports AC charging at 6.6 kW and DC charging at up to 80 kW.
