2024 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Ultimate Review

Chery is expanding RAPIDLY into Australia, with over 50 Chery dealerships in Australia already since their recent re-entry with the Chery Omoda 5 in just March 2023.

Not just that, Chery is also the largest Chinese exporter of cars globally, with over 1.88 million vehicles delivered globally in 2023. According to Chery, this is over 50% more than 2022.

So after the sales success of the low-cost Omoda 5 SUV in Australia, Chery has now introduced the larger and more expensive Chery Tiggo 7 Pro at a more premium price.

Today, we’re reviewing the top-of-the-range Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Ultimate AWD, which - spoiler alert - we believe is not the pick of the bunch.

But should you buy the Tiggo 7 Pro at all? Let’s talk about that!

How much does the Tiggo 7 Pro cost?

In the Australian market, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is available in three variants.

The base model, the Tiggo 7 Pro Urban, is priced at $39,990 drive-away. This places it within a very competitive range in its segment, considering the features it offers.

Moving up the range, the Tiggo 7 Pro Elite is available for $41,990 drive-away. This variant includes additional features over the base model. 

At the top of the lineup, the Tiggo 7 Pro Ultimate AWD is priced at $45,990 drive-away, offering all-wheel drive capabilities and further enhancements.

Compared to some of its Chinese counterparts, such as the MG HS and the GWM Haval H6, the Tiggo 7 Pro's starting price is higher. However, it's worth noting that the feature set of the Tiggo 7 Pro is positioned to align more closely with higher-priced models in its class.

In terms of competition with established models, such as the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, the Tiggo 7 Pro is similarly priced. However, at the same price these competitors have less feature offerings regarding specifications and engine options. 

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro pricing:

• 2024 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Urban: $39,990
• 2024 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Elite: $41,990
• 2024 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Ultimate AWD: $45,990

Note: Prices are driveaway

So, what do you get with the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro?

Well, you get a lot. And that is straight from the ‘base’ Tiggo 7 Pro Urban trim, which makes us think that is the best value.

Tiggo 7 Pro Urban:

• LED headlights and tail-lights with automatic functionality
• Rain-sensing wipers
• 18-inch alloy wheels equipped with Atlas tyres and a full-size spare
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Three driving modes: Eco, Sport, and Normal
• Keyless entry and remote start system
• Electronic parking brake with auto-hold feature
• Synthetic leather upholstery and steering wheel
• Heated front seats including both cushion and backrest
• Power-adjustable driver’s seat (6-way) and passenger seat (4-way)
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Panoramic sunroof
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite navigation
• 'Hey Chery' voice assistant
• Eight-speaker Sony sound system
• Wireless phone charging and ambient lighting
• Multiple USB outlets including USB-C, and 2 x 12V outlets (front, boot)
• Comprehensive safety features including eight airbags, front and rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assists, lane following assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, traffic jam assist, door exit warning, and automatic high beams

Tiggo 7 Pro Elite (adds over Urban):

• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• Power-operated tailgate
• Illuminated sill plates
• Interior air quality management system with negative ion air freshener
• Cargo blind
• Optional black roof
• 360-degree camera system

Tiggo 7 Pro Ultimate (adds over Elite):

• 19-inch alloy wheels with Cooper tyres
• Additional drive modes: Snow, Mud, and Off-Road (total 6 modes)
• Red front brake calipers
• Memory function for the driver's seat and side mirrors
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Ventilated front seats (cushion only)
• All-wheel drive system

What’s the interior and tech like of the Tiggo 7 Pro?

The first time - in fact every time - you enter into the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, it plays you a song. And it’s a rather long song. Thankfully, buried somewhere in the settings, you can turn it off.

Your next impression however is just how nice the interior is. In a world of cost-cutting and therefore cheap scratchy materials, the Tiggo 7 Pro dares you to find a hard and scratchy surface.

The faux carbon fibre is a little funky but actually kind of cool.

They exist, of course, but the vast majority is soft touch and leatherette, which is really important for soaking up road noise. It’s not a silent drive, but it’s certainly on the quieter end of the spectrum.

Technology is fantastic, with dual 12.3” displays. They are not without their quirks, however, including the built-in navigation, which is called ‘Turbodog’. 

However at least you get in-built navigation, and that can be extended to the full-screen digital instrument cluster, which similarly has plenty of features and shows a lot of information.

You do get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android auto, and apart from some lag and stuttering the systems work well.

We tested the Tiggo 7 Pro over a 3 week period, and the technology never glitched out or failed on us, which cannot be said against some other Chinese competitor brands.

In fact, the biggest annoyance was the driver monitoring system, which is very quick to beep and tell you to look at the road… even when you’re looking at the road. 

Perhaps there needs to be some re-calibration for this system, which thankfully can be achieved through a software update.

The seats on the Tiggo 7 are very comfortable, with plenty of support and adjustment.

Across the range, the seats are heated (which is fantastic to see!) but only the Ultimate trim get’s the ventilated seats. Which is a bit of a stretch, because only the seat base is cooled which means your back remains sweaty.

Storage is fantastic within the Tiggo 7 Pro, with heaps of storage under the centre console, a hidden storage cubby with 2x cupholders and a wireless charger, heaps of storage under the centre console and in the glovebox.

Apart from some interesting quirks common from competitor brands like Chery, the interior space feels far more expensive than its price point would suggest.

What about the back seats of the Tiggo 7 Pro?

The back seats are just as good as up front.

At 5’11”, I have plenty of leg-room, head-room and toe-room.

In terms of amenities, you do get dual air-vents, a single USB-A port and a fold down armrest with a couple more cupholders.

Quality barely takes a hit in the rear - bar some scratchy door card material - and again it feels super premium.

How much can fit in the boot of the Tiggo 7 Pro?

Boot space is generous in the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro.

With both seats up, you get 626L of luggage space, which expands to 1672L when you drop the second row down.

Big claps for Chery for including a full-sized spare wheel under the boot floor. You barely see that anymore, and is great for those planning on doing roadtrips.

What’s under the bonnet of the Tiggo 7 Pro?

Under the bonnet of the 2024 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, buyers will find a singular engine option at launch. This powertrain is a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. It's a configuration designed to balance power and efficiency for the diverse needs of drivers.

This engine delivers 137kW of power at 5500rpm and a torque of 275Nm available from 2000 to 4000rpm. Paired with this engine is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This transmission channels power to the front wheels in the Urban and Elite models, while the top-tier Ultimate variant benefits from an all-wheel-drive system.

Performance figures for the Tiggo 7 Pro are decent, though not groundbreaking. The front-wheel-drive models boast a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 9.5 seconds, while the all-wheel-drive Ultimate version slightly trails at 9.9 seconds. During our independent 0-100km/h testing, we timed the AWD at a better 9.62 seconds, so your mileage may vary.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Tiggo 7 Pro FWD records a consumption of 7.0L/100km, and the AWD model slightly higher at 7.8L/100km, as per the combined ADR cycle. However, real-world figures may vary, as observed figures were around 8.5-9.0L/100km during initial drives.

The Tiggo 7 Pro also comes with different fuel tank capacities depending on the drive type – 51L for the FWD models and 57L for the AWD variant. It requires a minimum of 95 RON premium unleaded fuel. 

Interestingly, the Tiggo 7 Pro's engine meets the Euro-6b emissions standards, which is a step above the Euro 5 standards adopted by many mainstream competitors.

Looking ahead, there's anticipation for the introduction of the Tiggo 7 Pro e+ plug-in hybrid in Australia. This variant is expected to feature a Direct Hybrid Transmission (DHT) with three physical gears and an adjustable speed ratio. 

It integrates dual electric motors and a motor controller with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, complemented by a 19.27kWh ternary lithium battery.

The total system output for this hybrid model is an impressive 240kW of power and 545Nm of torque, with a claimed electric range of 80km under China’s WLTC cycle.

How does the Tiggo 7 Pro drive?

The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is surprisingly zippy, with the 1.6L turbo petrol engine providing strong performance despite its relatively small size.

Also reflecting on our previous experience with the Omoda 5, the Tiggo’s 0.1L larger engine is far more fuel efficient, achieving about 9.0L/100km over a mostly urban test environment.

The biggest issue with the Tiggo 7 Pro is its 7-speed dual clutch transmission, which when on the move works great, but at lower speed tends to perform worse than most competitors.

Dual clutch transmissions tend to struggle from a stop, and that’s where the tuning shortfalls are most noticeable. Combined with the start/stop functionality, the Tiggo 7 Pro tends to roll back a little on hills which can be quite disconcerting.

Still, like I said, on the move and at higher speeds - where dual clutches tend to perform best - the Tiggo 7 Pro drives great, with a solid feel to it that again makes it feel far more expensive than its price tag suggest.

Handling is fine, though not groundbreaking and the suspension tune overall is certainly geared towards bumps versus cornering, though isn’t that what most SUV owners want?

Although the Ultimate trim we drove gets upgraded American Cooper tyres as standard, the mechanical grip of the Tiggo 7 Pro is great - and so the need for the all-wheel drive system is frankly not-necessary. Which is another compelling reason to get the base ‘Urban’ spec, which is FWD only and will save you quite a few dollars.

Simply put, the Tiggo 7 Pro doesn’t bring anything new per-say to the mid-sized SUV segment, but it does bring good-enough driving dynamics at a very compelling price point.

Is the Tiggo 7 Pro Safe?

The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is a very safe SUV, scoring 5-stars on ANCAP’s most recent testing guidelines.Trust me, that’s no easy feat… cough Mahindra Scorpio cough.

This rating reflects the vehicle's performance in various safety and crash tests, aligning with stringent criteria effective until 2025. The Tiggo 7 Pro scored 88% for Adult Occupant Protection, 87% for Child Occupant Protection, 72% for Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 86% for Safety Assist crash-avoidance technology.

Although it received good marks for adult and child crash protection, the Tiggo 7 Pro's Vulnerable Road User Protection score was just above the minimum required for a five-star rating. It also recorded "weak" scores in certain aspects, such as protection of a pedestrian's head and pelvis in a collision.

The advanced safety systems, including the lane-keep assist, were noted for their effectiveness, but there were some points lost for the forward-facing AEB and lane-keep assist systems' performance in motorcycle collision scenarios, as well as the rear AEB system's pedestrian detection capabilities.

In addition to these features, Chery has provided safety measures for emergency scenarios, including a safety escape hammer to aid egress through windows if necessary.

This addition is part of a broader focus on safety that includes ensuring door and window functionality when submerged in water, a feature increasingly recognized by ANCAP in its assessment criteria.

Standard Safety Equipment:

• 8 airbags, including front-center and driver’s knee airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Child presence detection system
• Driver monitoring system
• Forward collision warning
• Integrated Cruise Assist, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, and traffic jam assist
• Intelligent Headlamp Control with auto high-beam
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Safe exit warning
• Speed limit assist
• Traffic sign recognition

Additional Safety Features in Tiggo 7 Pro Elite:

• Surround-view cameras

How much can the Tiggo 7 Pro tow?

The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is yet to receive a rated towing capacity, nor does Chery have a towbar option available from factory.

How much does the Tiggo 7 Pro cost to run?

Chery has outlined a clear structure for service pricing over the first seven years, with servicing intervals set at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. The pricing varies slightly between the front-wheel drive (FWD) models (Urban and Elite) and the all-wheel drive (AWD) Ultimate variant.

For the Urban and Elite 1.6T FWD models, the service costs are as follows:

• 'A' to 'E' Service (every 12 months/15,000km up to 60 months/75,000km): $280 each
• 'F' Service (72 months/90,000km): $367.94
• 'G' Service (84 months/105,000km): $287.84

In comparison, the Ultimate 1.6T AWD model follows a similar structure, but with a higher cost for the 'F' Service:

• 'A' to 'E' Service (as per FWD models): $280 each
• 'F' Service (72 months/90,000km): $515.60
• 'G' Service (84 months/105,000km): $287.84

Calculating the total cost for the standard servicing over the seven years, the FWD models (Urban and Elite) will cost owners $2,057.72, while the AWD Ultimate variant will total $2,205.38.

What’s CarSauce’s take on the Tiggo 7 Pro?

Chery's rapid expansion in Australia is evident with the introduction of the Tiggo 7 Pro following the success of the Omoda 5. 

The Tiggo 7 Pro, particularly the top-of-the-range Ultimate AWD variant, enters the market with a more premium positioning than its predecessors. However, our analysis suggests that the base Urban model might offer better value for most buyers.

Chery’s pricing strategy places the Tiggo 7 Pro in a competitive spot, especially considering the level of equipment offered even in the base model.

The interior of the Tiggo 7 Pro impresses with its quality and technology, including dual 12.3” displays and a comprehensive safety suite. 

The driving experience is solid, with the 1.6L turbocharged engine providing adequate performance. Although the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission performs well at higher speeds, it shows some weaknesses at lower speeds and in start/stop scenarios.

So, while the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro may not redefine the mid-sized SUV segment, it offers a compelling package with good enough driving dynamics, a feature-rich specification, and a competitive price point. 

For those in the market for a mid-sized SUV, the Tiggo 7 Pro, especially the Urban variant, should be considered for its balance of features, performance, and value.

What do you think about the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro? Let us know in the comment section below!