My first experience with the Tiggo 7 Pro was at its launch shortly after Chery re-launched. Admittedly, I was curious about what to expect but they certainly did a complete 360⁰ upgrade and the 7 Pro was impressive to say the least.
In 2023, Chery added the Tiggo 7 Pro Max to the line-up featuring 20 ‘optimisations.’ Chery says it is ‘engineered for everything adventure’ offering both all-wheel and two-wheel drive options as well as up to six intelligent driving modes. There are also updates to the interior and exterior design, body and chassis structure.
The drive
The Tiggo 7 Pro Max is a pleasure to drive. It is energetic, responding with the slightest touch of the throttle. It gains speed easily and maintains it too. Having driven the Tiggo 8 Pro Max recently, I personally find the drive of the lower derivative even more responsive and enjoyable than the 8 Pro Max.
Handling of the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro max instils complete confidence in drivers. Additionally, cruising on the highway is one of the most enjoyable parts of driving the Tiggo 7 Pro Max – making me reluctant to return it.
The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max has a 1.6 TGDI turbo-petrol ATECO engine, 4-cylinder, turbopetrol engine. This provides 145 kW of power and 290 Nm of torque. This is an additional 37 kW and 80 Nm on the Tiggo 7 Pro.
It is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, in comparison to the award-winning CVT of the Tiggo 7. While it is difficult to fault the CVT, the DCT is intuitive, smoothly shifting gears that it is almost imperceptible.
Claimed fuel consumption is 9.4L/100km. After looking back at my notes and images, I was slightly surprised to see the consumption was 8.5L/100km. Did we achieve the impossible and beat their claimed fuel consumption which was achieved in ideal conditions?
Unfortunately, that would be a no. On closer inspection that figure appeared to be just for the last trip, not the whole test duration. I do believe the Tiggo 7 Pro Max is quite thirsty as after only a few short trips, fuel dropped significantly.
The fuel level indicator seemed to be a bit unreliable, but more time with the Tiggo 7 Pro Max could provide a better picture of this. While returning the vehicle to the office the fuel was on quarter tank and I stopped at the fuel station but when I turned the vehicle on again, after putting fuel in, it was slightly below quarter tank. To say I was caught off-guard is an understatement.
The design
The interior exudes comfort and luxury with a touch of sportiness. One of the defining features inside Chery vehicles is the single infotainment and driver information screen. It is a curved display with hyperboloid immersive screen that provides an ultra-high-definition display. It adds to the modern and chique look of the interior.
Another noteworthy feature of the interior is the good quality materials used. The seats are one-piece, perforated leather sport front seats and the dash has soft-touch materials. The interior is finished off the chrome accents to add that extra pzazz.
The tech
The voice command is one of the most impressive I have seen (along with the Omoda, a brand of Chery). With a simple command, such as ‘open the windows,’ all the windows in the car will open. This is more of a party trick but there are obviously more useful commands. The voice commands are much more responsive than many other vehicles I have tested.
The driver monitoring system is a bit annoying. It alerts you when your attention is off the road even for a few seconds. There was not a single instance of driving that the sensor did not go off. Once or twice, I admit my attention may not have been 100% on the road. Yet, in every other instance, I was completely focused. Eventually it just becomes annoying.
In fact, at times the SUV seems to be a rather ‘noisy’ vehicle. The indicator seems louder than what is necessary (or normal), the constant driver attention beeps and a rather dramatic welcome tone (that tends to grate your nerves) is a turn-off.
In the middle console next to the gear level is an additional volume control to those on the infotainment screen and steering wheel. I quite liked this because it was easy to quickly make an volume adjustment without removing your eyes from the road or hands from the steering wheel for long.
The cubby sections in the middle console can also be closed to hide items from the view of those outside. This is always a plus to hide keys, wallets and your phones when you stop at traffic lights.
As experienced previously, I do not like the AC controls just below the infotainment screen. I tend to rest my wrist on the touch controls when using the infotainment screen which then changes the AC settings. You can become accustomed to it but perhaps a different angle may be a bit better.
The infotainment system is also notable. It is so intuitive and simple to use. If you need to activate your android auto while driving or make a quick adjustment to something else, you can do so with minimal distraction from the road (but the driver monitor will still reprimand you).
The rear has AC vents which occupants can use to direct the airflow. Just under this is also a small cubby type space which can be used to hold your phone when you are charging it with the port provided.
The seats are electronically adjustable with memory function for two different drivers. Additionally, when you stop the SUV, the seat moves backward for you to exit more easily and once you start up again it returns to it previous position.
It has a full panoramic sunroof that opens completely. Perhaps it was just the test vehicle but upon closing it makes quite a creaking sound and even vibrates.
When you shift into reverse the Chery Tiggo Pro Max it shows the traditional rear view of obstacles behind you, but there are also extra options. You can change the view from that to illustrates the space available to reverse, to a forward view or a rear view without the directional lines to guide your movements. There is also a 360⁰ view camera that can be activated at any time, not just when reversing.
Other tech includes a powerful 50W wireless charging pad as well as both USB and C-Port charging ports, 8-speaker Sony sound system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual 12.3-inch screens, driver seat ventilation and heating, air purifier in the climate control, electronically opening tailgate and ambient lighting with 64 colours.
Safety
The array of safety features recently secured the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max a 5-Star Global NCap rating:
- Eight airbags
- ABS brakes
- Electronic stability control
- Advanced Driver Assistance System
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Rear Collision Warning (RCW)
- Driver Monitoring System (Executive 4WD model)
- Multi-Collision Brake (MCB)
- Lane Change Assist (LCA).
I end most of my reviews of the ‘newer’ Chinese models with ‘only time will tell if these vehicles stand up to the reputation they are creating’ and again this applies. For now, however, Chery (and in particular the Tiggo 7 Pro Max) presents a vehicle with a vast array of technological enhancements, a forward thinking approach and a design that meets current expectations.
There are few other vehicles from more established brands that can offer the same for such competitive pricing. I believe this will play a major role in the current economic climate and encourage drivers to select the Tiggo 7 Pro Max for everything it has to offer.
Good to know
The specs
Engine: 1.6 TGDI turbo-petrol ATECO engine
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 9.4L/100km
Power: 145 kW
Torque: 290 Nm
Price: starting from R529 900
Warranty and service plan: 1-million-kilometre / 10-year engine warranty and a 5-year / 60,000 km service plan.
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