Chery TIGGO 7 review

Driving position

The Chery TIGGO 7 slots nicely into the family SUV space, taking on established rivals like the Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai.

You get that high-up driving position for a good view of the road ahead, but it doesn’t feel unwieldy or awkwardly high. That said, the seat does go lower in some other SUVs, particularly in the Qashqai.

The driver’s seat has plenty of adjustment and is electric as standard. Top-spec models add electric adjustments for the passenger’s seat, too.

If we were being picky, the A-pillars are slightly thicker than usual, so they hinder visibility at tricky junctions, but they’re not so bad that they’re a problem, and it’s a common trend with modern cars, increasing safety.

You can also see the bonnet ahead of you in the TIGGO 7, whereas you can’t in some other family SUVs. This is only an observation, not a criticism – it just comes down to what you prefer.

Rear visibility is generally good, and the reversing camera helps in tighter spaces.

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Tech and features

Chery TIGGO 7 trim levels

– Aspire

– Summit

Inside, you get a similar dual-display setup to the OMODA 5 (which is no coincidence, because these cars share many parts). Both screens are 12.3 inches.

We found the touchscreen infotainment system easy to use, responsive, and clear, though some of the menus do feel a bit more complex than European rivals like the VW Tiguan.

At least tall trim levels come with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, so most of your screen time will be very familiar.

The reality is that the entry-level Aspire model is all you’ll ever need, because it gets front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, keyless entry and adaptive cruise control. It all helps keep the purchase price nice and low.

Top-spec Aspire cars add a lot of extra kit for £3,000 (at the time of writing). You get a powered boot lid, heated and cooled front seats, a 540-degree parking camera that lets you see around and under the car and an upgraded SONY sound system with two additional speakers.

There are some differences between petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models too, such as the 230V vehicle-to-load (V2L) socket in the PHEV that lets you charge portable items on the go, such as a laptop or camping gear.

The PHEV also gets a bigger 13.2-inch infotainment display next to a smaller 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

In terms of usability, there’s a row of touch-sensitive controls under the screen for quick access to climate controls.

Engines and power

Chery TIGGO 7 performance stats

– Power: 147 to 204hp

– 0-62mph: 8.5 to 9.4 seconds

– Top speed: 112mph

– Driven wheels: Front-wheel drive (FWD)

Because OMODA and JAECOO also belong to Chery, you get the same engine options that those buyers have come to love.

The 1.6-litre petrol version has 147hp and feels just fine. It's not as quiet as some others, and the automatic gearbox’s changes aren’t totally undetectable, but actually it’s a really nice car to drive and has enough punch to pull out quickly at junctions.

Our pick would be the 1.5-litre PHEV, badged CSH (Chery Super Hybrid). It’s more powerful, quicker, and can be more efficient if you charge it regularly.

It has an electric-first tendency, with the petrol engine topping up the battery more than driving the wheels (though it will do that), so everything feels quite smooth and relaxed.

204hp doesn’t sound like a lot by today’s standards, but actually, this CSH model has no problem picking up the pace when it needs to.

It would be nice to have more choice, but Chery is still new to the UK, so that may come later.

Many rivals offer a handful of petrol, mild hybrid, self-charging hybrid, plug-in hybrid and even diesel engine options.

Still, our pick would be the Chery TIGGO 7 CSH because it feels the more rounded option of the two.

Handling and ride comfort

Chery’s done a good job tuning the TIGGO 7 for UK roads – we drove both the petrol and plug-in models, and there’s really not a lot in it.

Something like the Ford Kuga will have more direct steering, and maybe the Honda CR-V tackles quick corners a bit better, but the TIGGO 7 does a good job on most surfaces.

Even on poorly surfaced roads and potholes, everything held together well, which not all SUVs in the class can say.

If we’re being picky, tyre noise can get a bit loud at higher motorway speeds, but wind noise is low for a car of this size.

Boot space

Chery TIGGO 7 boot space

– Boot space: 484 litres to 565 litres

– Incl. Rear seats folded: 1,305 litres to 1,396 litres

Boot space is actually better in the TIGGO 7 CSH, despite the bigger battery, and by quite some margin (565 litres vs. 484 litres for the petrol model).

It’s nowhere near the Tiguan (up to 652 litres), but it’s better than the Qashqai (455 to 504 litres).

There’s nothing exceptionally stand-out-ish about the space, but it is flat, so you can slide heavy things out without having to negotiate a bit drop, which you would in a hatchback.

Rear seats

Because the TIGGO 7 is a full-sized family SUV, and not an enlarged crossover like the OMODA 5, rear passenger space is ideal for adults.

The flat floor also makes it easier to fit three side-by-side, though shoulder room is naturally a limiting factor.

We’ve got no complaints on this front.

Storage solutions

Chery’s done a good job of packaging the interior, with a floating centre console hiding a spacious storage area beneath it (perfect for bags).

On top of that console is a wireless charger covered by a sliding lid, the gear selector, plenty of physical buttons to control things like drive mode and a central armrest that’s deeper than most.

Chery TIGGO 7 dimensions

– Height: 1,696mm

– Width: 1,862mm (excl. door mirrors)

– Length: 4,553mm

– Weight (kerb): Up to 1,795kg

Safety

Safety is a big thing for the TIGGO 7, which has now been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP rating after it got four stars in its first test. Chery fixed an airbag deployment issue to improve passenger protection.

Both models get the same in terms of safety kit, like lane-departure warning, autonomous emergency braking and rear cross traffic alert.

The only real difference is that the top-spec Summit model gets a more comprehensive surround-view parking camera, vs. the standard reversing camera fitted to Aspire models.

Fuel economy

This is probably where the petrol model in particular falls short of its rivals, because fuel economy isn’t great.

Chery claims 40mpg, but you won't get that in stop-start traffic. Mild hybrid support in the Tiguan’s 1.5 eTSI engine gives it a higher 47mpg rating.

Thankfully, the TIGGO 7 CSH is much better, with a 56-mile electric-only range provided by its 18.3kWh battery. It even supports rapid charging for a 30 to 80% top-up in 20 minutes.

Our test car was averaging around 50mpg with mixed driving, but as with any PHEV, this could be higher or lower depending on your driving and charging habits.

Strangely, the petrol model also has a smaller 51-litre tank, while the CSH gets a 60-litre tank plus that electric range. It’s clearly the one to go for.

Reliability

Yes, Chery’s a new brand to the UK, but it’s already established in China (its home country), and there have been many TIGGO models before it.

Mechanically similar OMODA 7 and JAECOO 7 cars have already proven to be dependable here in the UK.

Plus, you get a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty and an extra eight-year warranty on the hybrid’s battery.