Chery Tiggo 7 Pro
For a five-year old nameplate, this latest version of the Tiggo looks really good, which is why the glowing feedback it received at its launch in January 2021 didn’t come as a surprise.
There will be skeptics, of course, and I don’t blame them, especially after the forgettable performance of the QQ in the early 2000s. Now with a highly aggressive R&D department and in the hands of new distributor United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (the same group behind the success of Foton), this latest Chery looks every bit the pro.
A quick glance won’t reveal major details about the Tiggo, so I spend a week with it and list down seven awesome features that justify this model’s moniker.
Fancy façade
While the body design isn’t too elaborate it still gets a name, ‘Life in Motion’, but the real centerpiece of the whole thing is the ‘Sunshine Galaxy’ grille that has a diamond mesh and shiny rectangular elements that look like jewels floating in a pattern.
On either side are slim LED headlamps called ‘Tiger Eyes’ that use a multi-cavity reflective matrix that perfectly complement the whole look, including the shape of the fog lamps.
Cabin amenities
If the seven customizable colors of the ambient lighting system fail to impress you, there’s the 1.13-meter panoramic sunroof that’s so large it’s almost like driving with the top down (without the wind to mess up your hair).
Plus, the glossy touch panel of the climate control system is so easy on the eyes and quite unlike most aircon controls of vehicles in its segment; and it even boasts of N95-level filtration.
Infotainment system
The young, techy market will definitely appreciate the 10.25-inch touchscreen. The OS is a little dated but at least it comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Mirrorlink, and even QD Link Connectivity for Android users.
I especially like the wireless charging pad and where it’s positioned. Laid out along the center and right by the gear shifter, it makes it so easy to pick up and lay down your device for security and to charge it as well.
Nine-speed CVT
According to the Chinese automaker, the nine-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT) is seven-percent more fuel efficient than a six-speed automatic gearbox. Shifting felt very smooth and the ratios keep the revs as low as possible during normal driving conditions. After seven days in mixed driving conditions, I picked up a very good 9.5-kilometers per liter.
360-degree HD camera
One of its best safety features is a 360-degree HD camera that offers 2D, 3D, front wide and rear wide view so you’re aware of the vehicle’s location relative to things or obstacles around it.
It automatically activates when a turn, whether left or right, is executed.
The rendering of itself in the video is somewhat cartoonish and doesn’t properly reflect its size relative to what’s around it, but it’s better than second-guessing yourself on a maneuver along a narrow road with obstacles.
Bosch ESP
One safety feature Chery’s mighty proud of is Bosch’s Electronic Stability Program. It offers full protection against skidding while only weighing 1.6 kilos, making it the lightest ESP system yet.
Warranty (and freebies)
To show everyone that it’s putting its money where its mouth is, its ditricutor is giving this model a 1,000,000-kilometer (or 10-year) engine warranty, a five-year/100,000km vehicle warranty, and even threw in free PMS and roadside assistance for the first three years. If that’s not believing in your own product, I don’t know what is.
Is it time to go Pro?
This model puts forth a very intriguing proposition. It’s very affordable at P1.198 million and yet comes with modern features, some of which aren’t even available in this segment or at this price point.
There’s still a lot the brand (and the distributor) needs to work on to get to where it wants to be but with a vehicle like the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, it’s already made a big step forward in the right direction.