Fine China: 2023 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro

Ever since Chinese carmakers began business in the Philippine market, they’ve been offering vehicles that promise to give “more for less,” or models whose top-drawer features and performance retail for prices that undercut that of the Japanese competition.

Like many other Chinese brands, Chery Auto Philippines has carried the same determination when it comes to selling in the market, and the company’s effort looks to have paid off. According to reports, “sales of key models from the brand skyrocketed by…85% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year.” Chery credits the sales success on its “value-packed” models, the Tiggo 5X and Tiggo 8 Pro.

No mention was made of the 2023 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, however, so we ascertain that the compact SUV wasn’t a sales driver. We wonder why that is. Doesn’t the Tiggo 7 Pro achieve the “more for less” selling point of its stablemates? After testing the Tiggo 7 Pro CVT, we got our answer.

Variants and Prices

There are two variants of the vehicle, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro CVT (P1.250-million) entry-level trim that we got to test, and Tiggo 7 Pro Two-Tone CVT (P1.280-million) top-spec version.

In comparison, the Tiggo 7 Pro has a lower entry price to the Japanese 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross (starts at P1.312-million). Since the more mainstream rivals cost more, this Chinese entrant, then, faces more competition from its home country, sharing the space with the likes of the GWM Haval Jolion (P998,000 to P1.588-million), Changan CS55 Plus (P1.179 to P1.348-million), and MG HS (P1.259 to P1.308-million), to name a few.

You’ll know that a top-trim Tiggo 7 Pro is before you when its pillars and roof are painted in gloss black. The two variants are pretty much similar all throughout, sharing the same powertrain and features.

Exterior

Whereas some quasi-SUVs aim for an aggressive look with their gaping grilles and thin tires, the Tiggo 7 Pro’s appearance is a breath of fresh air, thanks to its upright body shape and chunky tires (wrapping 18-inch alloys) that are befitting of an off-roader, and subdued body creases.

The only exterior highlights are the LED headlights that border what Chery calls “Sunshine Galaxy” grille, the side windows featuring a kink at the C-pillar that create the illusion of wrapping around the vehicle’s body, and LED taillamps.

Summing up the look, the 2023 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, appears classy, somewhat minimalist and most importantly, distinctive. What the exterior also shows is the quality of the vehicle, since we observed that the gaps in between all the body panels are consistently even and narrow.

Interior and Key Features

It’s also inside where the quality feeling continues. A solid sound accompanies the closing of the side doors and powered tailgate, the materials used in the dashboard and door panels feel classy and durable, the leather on the electrically-adjustable seats are supple, and the cabin keeps outside noise at bay.

Despite the absence of physical controls, the digital panel that controls the dual-zone climate control responds to the touch sharply enough. Below the climate control panel is the nook for the wireless phone charger. Atop the dash sits the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, controls the six-speaker audio, and displays the images taken by the 360-degree exterior camera.

Perhaps the only downside comes from the digital instrument panel, which is cluttered with the readouts for the driving range, average and instant fuel economy, trip meter crammed in the space with the usual tachometer and speedometer. Rendered in lines that travel upward the screen, the revs and speed are also difficult to read on the move, too.

It’s all good news elsewhere in the cabin of the 2023 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro. Bodies of all shapes and sizes will find the perfect driving position thanks to the wide range of adjustment offered by the reach-and-rake tiller and those powered seats, and there’s acres of room for all passengers. Rear occupants are also treated to a panoramic sunroof, AC vents, and a charging port.

Further back in the cabin, the Tiggo 7 Pro provides an expansive 475 and 1,500 liters of cargo room with the rear seats in place or folded, respectively. While you do have to contend with a slight obstruction in the tailgate aperture and the absence of a charging port in the cargo area, the amount of room on offer should compensate for those minor issues.

Engine and Transmission

Powering the Tiggo 7 Pro is a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that sends 145hp and 210Nm of torque to the front wheels via a nine-speed CVT.

There are only two driving modes: Eco and Sport. In Eco mode, throttle response was slightly delayed and acceleration was more graceful than eager because the mode keeps the revs low to maximize fuel efficiency. Sport mode alters the color of the instrument panel to red and helps the vehicle react to throttle and steering input significantly quicker.

Driving and Riding Impressions, Fuel Economy

Like its exterior, it’s in the drive where the Tiggo 7 Pro shows its laid-back character.

The SUV’s engine languidly raises the revs in normal driving, but the mill is a willing enough performer once you hustle it and insofar as you manage your expectations at the upper reaches of the rev range. Even though we kept the car in its Sport mode, the Tiggo 7 Pro still returned decent fuel consumption figures, at around 9kpl city and 12kpl on the highway.

Contributing to the figure was the nine-speed CVT, which was always keen to automatically shift to the highest gear possible. We had to manually shift gears through the electronic shifter when an overtaking maneuver needed to be performed, but the engine ratios switched smoothly and quickly enough. Again, this is an SUV that prefers to take it easy.

While handling felt decent, it wasn’t matched with a sharp steering feel. The light steering was appreciated in city driving, but when cornering, we never felt which direction the wheels were pointing. On the flip side, the Tiggo 7 Pro’s body barely leaned on bends and the ride is compliant enough, keeping things level even as the car drives over potholes with a bit of suspension noise.

Aside from the relaxed nature of the ride and handling, we observed that the driving experience is notable for its substantial feel. The 2023 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro drove like a quality product.

Safety Features, Warranty

The 2023 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is outfitted with an Electronic Stability Program that prevents the vehicle from skidding, six airbags, a seatbelt reminder for every second-row passenger, front and rear parking sensors, traction control, hill-assist and descent control, and front and rear parking sensors.

For those who are concerned about the Chery's dependability, the local brand distributor is including a free PMS and roadside support package for the first three years, an engine guarantee good for 1-million kilometers or 10 years, and a vehicle warranty good for five years and 150,000 kilometers.

Verdict

While it’s difficult to determine how the 2023 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro delivers on the “more for less” ethos against the influx of Chinese SUVs in the local market, we can say it certainly has a fighting chance. The Tiggo 7 Pro is comfortable, handsome, and spacious, and these make it a fine choice in the compact SUV market.

Photos from Dylan Afuang