SPONSORED: If it wasn’t enough for Chery Australia to sell up a storm in 2024 with its new Tiggo 4 Pro light SUV and Tiggo 8 Pro Max large SUV, it now looks set to continue that momentum with the latest version of its Tiggo 7 Pro mid-sized SUV.
Chery, perhaps more than any other Chinese car manufacturer, has quickly carved out a solid reputation as the value-for-money champion at the affordable end of Australia’s booming SUV market.
Within three years of its relaunch Down Under, Chery has methodically filled some of the nation’s most popular sales segments to offer a range of new models with contemporary designs, sound engineering, and high-tech features, all backed by a comprehensive seven-year factory warranty and five-star ANCAP safety ratings.
And now less than 18 months after it arrived here, the Tiggo 7 Pro has come in for what Chery calls a mid-cycle refresh, streamlining the lineup to the Special Edition (SE) and Special Edition+ (SE+). Both medium SUVs are front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive no longer available in the Tiggo 7 Pro range. Chery says there was little demand for the pricier AWD version, with those buyers gravitating to the larger Tiggo 8 Pro Max AWD.
While the newest Tiggo 7 boasts a couple of new design cues, including a section of the front fascia that’s gone from blue to silver and a new black alloy wheel design for the top-spec Plus. But that’s hardly the most enticing aspect of the newest mid-sized SUV from Chery.
Amid the rising cost of living, buyers will be thrilled to learn the new entry-level Tiggo 7 Pro SE is priced from just $29,990 drive-away, while the top-spec SE+ can be yours from only $33,990 drive-away.
Prices like those haven’t been seen on a new mid-sized SUV for several years, and there’s nothing even close in the same segment today. Even without considering the technology and equipment on offer here as standard, the Tiggo 7 Pro represents extraordinarily good value.
Most Chinese car brands pack a lot into their vehicles, but it’s Chery which seems to be consistently offering the most complete package for even less money than its rivals – and there’s an endless inventory of standard features.
But beyond the premium features and high level of comfort on offer, it’s the execution of the engineering and overall build quality that really impresses here.
There’s so much standard kit inside, even in the base SE, that I found myself looking around the cabin for signs of cost-cutting because it’s such a feature-rich environment that covers all the bases – from design, materials and build quality to tech and comfort. You wonder how Chery does it for the price.
For example, not only are the front bucket seats more comfortable than anything from many luxury brands, but they also look the part. There’s contrast piping and metal-look ‘sports’ inserts, along with outstanding cushion comfort for those longer hauls.
Buyers coming out of older vehicles are in for a genuine treat with the long list of standard goodies including machined 18-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing LED headlights with auto high-beam, proximity entry with push-button start, and auto walk-away locking – we can’t tell you enough how convenient this feature is.
There are dual 12.3-inch displays for the driver’s instrument cluster and infotainment array, along with wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, an eight-speaker Sony sound system, dual-zone climate control and LED interior lights.
Again, that’s just in the base Tiggo 7 SE. The SE+ you see here adds big-ticket features like a giant panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, black alloy wheels and power-folding exterior mirrors.
Behind the wheel, it feels substantial in terms of cabin space and ride height, but dimensionally it stretches just over 4.5 metres in length, making it shorter overall than many medium SUVs and making tight spaces and shopping centre carparks a breeze.
But here’s the thing: rear legroom is still more than generous and there’s also decent boot space along with a full-sized spare wheel. So the Tiggo 7 somehow seems to tick all the boxes and then some.
The value for money on offer with this vehicle is genuinely impressive, so you end up waxing lyrical about it to anyone even remotely interested in a new SUV.
We thought we’d put it to the test with a day trip down to Berry on the NSW South Coast to visit a friend’s farm, complete with horses and a delightful six-bed cottage with all the mod-cons called Girracool Grove, just over the hill from Werri Beach at Gerringong.
It’s a priceless setting, and the place has only ever been without guests for 20 weekends over the past five years.
Before hitting the road, the first test is always how quick and easy it is to connect your phone to Apple CarPlay (or Android Auto). While there are still some legacy brands offering only wired smartphone mirroring, the Tiggo 7 Pro boasts wireless forms of connectivity for both platforms. It couldn’t be easier to connect and it works a treat every time you climb back in.
Better still, those dual screens offer crystal-clear clarity and bright colours. And there’s a wireless charging pad ahead of the shifter with a good non-slip rubber base that holds your device in place, even when punting along a twisty road at a reasonable clip.
The Tiggo 7 Pro offers several drive modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – but we found Normal to be the most suitable for everyday conditions given the overall calibration of engine and gearbox.
By that I mean it’s suitably responsive if you need to get away from the traffic lights or when pulling out of a busy junction, but it’s also comfortably smooth-shifting when pottering around suburbia or on the motorway.
Again, it’s the cosiness of the front bucket seats that goes a long way to making this SUV one of the more comfortable vehicles available right now.
At this more affordable end of the market, sophisticated air suspension systems or even adaptive dampers aren’t feasible for manufacturers, but the Tiggo 7 Pro is a great example of conventional suspension done well, rewarding its occupants with a nicely tuned chassis which offers satisfying ride compliance and good body control.
We pushed the Tiggo 7 through a few 80km/h sign-posted corners and the videographer confirmed there was almost zero body roll. From behind the wheel, it felt safely planted to a level we didn’t expect.
It might be front-wheel drive, but we also headed off the beaten track across rocks and small ruts while filming, and the Tiggo 7 didn’t want for additional traction.
It’s a surprisingly quiet cabin even on busy motorways, which was yet another pleasant surprise given the bargain-basement price point. And let’s not forget the aftersales ownership costs across the entire Chery range.
The Tiggo 7 Pro is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, as well as seven years of roadside assistance and capped-price servicing for ultimate peace of mind.
It’s no wonder the Chery logo is becoming a more common sight on Australian roads, with top-notch vehicles that provide a complete new car package, at price points that should not be overlooked by those seeking ultimate value for money.
Interested in buying a Chery Tiggo 7 Pro? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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