Review - 2023 Chery Tiggo 7

Going up against some of the biggest names in the midsize SUV segment, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro has the tough task of winning over buyers from its much more established rivals.

How well does the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro perform on the road here in Australia, then, and how does it stack up as a worthwhile midsize SUV for Aussie families? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Competition

Starting Price: $39,990

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How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro range kick off from $39,990 drive-away for the entry-level Tiggo 7 Pro Urban, with prices rising to $41,990 for the Tiggo 7 Pro Elite, while the range-topping Tiggo 7 Pro Ultimate AWD is priced at $45,990 drive-away.

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Chery Tiggo 7 Pro (URBAN 2WD) Specifications

What Features Does the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Have?

The entry-level Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Urban comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys and receives automatic LED headlights, keyless entry & start, leatherette upholstery with heated, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control and a panoramic sunroof.

On the tech front, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro picks up a rear-view camera with parking sensors, ambient lighting, a wireless charging pad, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment system with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and an eight-speaker Sony sound system.

Stepping up to the Tiggo 7 Pro Elite adds a powered tailgate, power-folding side mirrors, illuminated side sills, an air quality system, a cargo blind and an optional black finish for the roof.

Finally, the range-topping Tiggo 7 Pro Ultimate AWD comes riding on 19-inch alloys and receives an all-wheel drive system, red brake callipers, ventilated front seats, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, six adjustable drive modes and power-folding side mirrors.

Range Features:

• 18-inch alloys 

• Automatic LED headlights 

• Leatherette upholstery with heated, power-adjustable front seats 

• Rear-view camera with parking sensors 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Panoramic sunroof

• Wireless charging pad 

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster 

• 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Powered tailgate (Elite) 

• Air quality system (Elite) 

• All-wheel drive system (Ultimate AWD) 

• 19-inch alloys (Ultimate AWD) 

• Red brake callipers (Ultimate AWD) 

• Ventilated front seats (Ultimate AWD)  

Is the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Comfortable to Drive?

A brand-new entrant to the midsize SUV segment needs to impress when it comes to refinement, decent acceleration and a user-friendly nature that makes daily driving simple and comfortable.

In this respect, and compared to several brand-new entrants from China, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro feels like a remarkably polished midsize SUV package.

Under the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro’s bonnet lies a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit producing 137kW of power and 275Nm of torque that powers the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

On the road that gives the Tiggo 7 Pro some leisurely acceleration, though the peak torque figures are on offer from 2,000rpm to lend a helping hand while accelerating up to speed or overtaking on the open road.

Opting for the range-topping Ultimate AWD adds an all-wheel drive system to the mix that gives the Tiggo 7 Pro a more planted and confidence-inspiring nature at pace on the road.

Around town, the Tiggo 7 Pro is well-mannered and super simple to pilot thanks to the lightweight steering rack, meaning there’s little effort to make low-speed turns and park.

The ride quality is a mixed bag, remaining smooth around town while transmitting some of the larger bumps on B-roads through the cabin, with Chery stating that local suspension tunes are on the cards for the future.

All up, though, the Cheri Tiggo 7 Pro is a promising sign of what’s to come from the brand’s re-emergence here in Australia and is not drastically outpaced by the best in the segment.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Chery’s 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine is rated at 7.0L/100km on a combined cycle in front-wheel drive variants, while the Ultimate AWD is rated at 7.7L/100km.

This makes it reasonably fuel-efficient for the segment, not leading the pack but not the worst when it comes to fuel efficiency in the midsize SUV segment either.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Space and practicality are top of mind for midsize SUV buyers and in this respect, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is a visually appealing package - though it could use some extra capacity in the second-row to make it truly compelling for families.

In the front of the cabin, you’ll find a very sleek cockpit layout filled with faux carbon fibre and silver highlights wrapped around leatherette finishes on the dashboard.

Look around the cabin and there’s some clear design influence from a certain European manufacturer (one with a three-pointed star logo) that gives the Tiggo 7 Pro’s cabin a more premium nature.

Interior space in the front of the cabin is excellent, while the usual mix of storage options can be found in the centre console that houses a storage tray, cup holders and some more storage inside the folding armrest.

The sense of space and airiness inside the cabin is helped massively by the fact that every member of the Tiggo 7 Pro picks up a panoramic sunroof, while tech-heads will love the adjustable ambient lighting and the dual 12.3-inch displays.

Move to the second row and the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro’s cabin is a little bit more cramped than you might expect for the segment, especially while seated behind a tall driver or squeezing some adults into the rear of the cabin.

Thankfully, headroom isn’t an issue, nor is accommodating child seats in the second row thanks to the ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts or cargo potential thanks to the 626L of boot space that expands to 1672L and the bonus of a full-sized spare tyre lurking underneath.

Is it Safe?

The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating.

To help sweeten the deal, though, Chery packages the Tiggo 7 Pro with a comprehensive suite of active safety tech, including:

• Autonomous emergency braking

• Lane-keep assist

• Rear cross-traffic alerts

• Blind-spot monitoring

• Adaptive cruise control

• Rear-view camera with parking sensors

• Driver attention monitoring

• Safe exit warnings

• Multi-collision braking

Our Verdict: Is the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Worth it?

As far as first impressions go, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is pretty impressive for a completely new midsize SUV package and a very promising sign of what’s to come.

While it doesn’t lead the pack in any major facet, it’s not completely outpaced, either, providing a rock-solid platform for future iterations to come and raise the bar even higher.

Considering just how much value is on offer in the entry-level Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, we’d recommend adding it to your shortlist of midsize SUVs if you’re in the market - there’s a lot to like about Chery’s generous packaging.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty 

2. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

3. Seven years of capped-price servicing and roadside assist 

4. 7.0 - 7.7L/100km fuel economy figures (FWD vs AWD) 

5. 626L boot space