Corrected And Supplemented. All The Pros And Cons Of Chery Tiggo 7 Pro: A Detailed Test

Until recently, there were three crossovers in the Russian range of the Chery brand, and all of them were called Tiggo. They could be classified by digital indices: Tiggo 4 is a compact crossover of the Hyundai Creta segment, Tiggo 7 is a mid-size model, conditionally competing with the Volkswagen Tiguan, and Tiggo 8 is a larger seven-seater car, which still has the status of a flagship. It seems that everything is clear, but the confusion was suddenly brought about by a new model called Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, which began to be sold at the same time as the regular Tiggo 7. Is it a special version, a new model or a next generation car? We find it out using the example of a top configuration worth less than 1.7 million rubles, which in itself sounds attractive
Interior
Practicality
Technique and reliability
Riding
Prices and equipment
Competitors
Output

Video: Corrected And Supplemented. All The Pros And Cons Of Chery Tiggo 7 Pro: A Detailed Test

Until recently, there were three crossovers in the Russian range of the Chery brand, and all of them were called Tiggo. They could be classified by digital indices: Tiggo 4 is a compact crossover of the Hyundai Creta segment, Tiggo 7 is a mid-size model, conditionally competing with the Volkswagen Tiguan, and Tiggo 8 is a larger seven-seater car, which still has the status of a flagship. It seems that everything is clear, but the confusion was suddenly brought about by a new model called Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, which began to be sold at the same time as the regular Tiggo 7. Is it a special version, a new model or a next generation car? We find it out using the example of a top configuration worth less than 1.7 million rubles, which in itself sounds attractive

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro 1,519,900 - 1,689,900 ₽ Editor's Choice: Elite Package for 1,589,900 ₽ Rating: 3.4 out of 5 Pros

Striking appearance
Decent interior trim
Roomy salon

Minuses

Roughness and lack of assembly of the suspension
Wayward variator
Informative devices

Ownership cost * per year with a mileage of 17,500 km: OSAGO 12,250 ₽ CASCO 79,500 ₽ Maintenance per year 11,850 ₽ Transport tax 5145 ₽ Fuel 84,930 ₽ Total 193 675 ₽

* The cost of policies and tax are calculated for a driver over 22 years old and with more than 4 years of experience living in Moscow

It is not easy to figure out what kind of car it is - a solid body with complex sidewalls, massive bumpers and a large radiator grill, hung with different-sized rhinestones of chrome elements, is perceived as large and with a claim to status. So much so that even 18-inch wheels of an unknown brand Chao Yang inside strong arches from some angles seem too modest. Add to this rich diode optics of headlights and foglights, two-tone paintwork and a black C-pillar, which visually hangs the roof in the air, and you get the image of a modern car from Asia, in which instead of family traits there is still too much jewelry, but you almost no longer feel secondary.

The Tiggo 7 Pro is exactly 4.5 meters long - symbolically longer than the current Volkswagen Tiguan. This means that the newcomer from Chery enters the same niche of mid-size crossovers and will act as a more modern analogue of the Tiggo 7, which has not yet left the market - hence the Pro prefix. In fact, this is the "seven" of the second generation, but with a prefix from the most expensive version, which is sold in China with a 1.6 turbo engine with 197 horsepower and a preselective robot. However, in Russia there will be no such unit, and all Tiggo 7 Pros are equipped with the familiar 1.5 turbo engine (147 horsepower) and a variator, familiar from the usual "seven".

Corrected and supplemented. All the pros and cons of Chery Tiggo 7 Pro: detailed test

Interior

The salon does not captivate with its refined style, but it looks neat and - at first glance - of high quality. There is a restrained modern style, soft surfaces wherever a hand reaches, a neat display of the media system, embossed chairs, a nice steering wheel and an unusual variator handle. But when it comes to details, the established image of a thoughtful and well-made product begins to crumble due to small, and in some places, large quibbles. The soft leather turns out to be slippery leatherette, the touch-sensitive keys of the air conditioner are inconvenient and do not always work the first time, and the motley display of the instrument panel is frankly inconvenient.

The ergonomic misses of the driver are trying to reconcile the successful atmospheric illumination and the pretty graphics of the displays. But you shouldn't rely completely on a beautiful picture of panoramic cameras with an image of a virtual machine: electronics inscribe the drawn crossover into the surrounding world inaccurately and often makes mistakes when gluing images from cameras. Finally, the non-locking box selector that looks so good in photos also takes some getting used to. As with Volvo and Geely cars, the driver has to double-check to see if the desired position is engaged, and also push the lever twice, each time crossing neutral.

In contrast to the exterior, the style of the interior seems to be rather restrained and even somewhat modest. There are no design delights here, but it is pleasant to be inside, and the materials do not raise questions

Almost everything you can reach is covered in leatherette of good, but not outstanding quality. For the front panel and door cards, this is just right, but on the steering wheel and seats I would like something more pleasant to the touch

The plump chairs are beautifully stitched with red threads, equipped with electric drives, but you will have to look for a comfortable fit. The headrest presses persistently on the back of the head - safe, but not very comfortable

Electric drives for the driver's seat are already in the basic configuration, and for the passenger they appear in the older

The two-story console is made in the manner of the Haval F7 crossover, and the charging outlets are also out of sight

But there is still a convenient place for the phone - in a niche near the variator selector, which is equipped with wireless charging

Alas, there was not enough space for full-fledged cup holders, and two cups of coffee will not fit here - they will interfere with each other

The "climate" control panel looks good and reminds of Audi cars, but it quickly gets smeared with fingers, and it turns out to be not very convenient to use

The devices change themes, but in general the style remains the same: unreadable side scales of the tachometer and speedometer, speed numbers in the center and a set of information from the on-board computer, which does not always fit on the screen

The graphics of the media system are good, but the functionality is modest. Instead of the navigator, it is proposed to use the maps of the mobile phone, and in the case of Android, you can generally mirror the screen of the smartphone to the display of the car and control it remotely. But we cannot say that it is convenient

The electronics fit a beautiful image of the crossover in panoramic pictures into the real landscape rather crookedly, so you should not completely trust these images

The door is also upholstered in soft leatherette, and this is the case when there are no complaints about the quality of the material. It is pleasant to the touch, and its frictional qualities do not matter here

The panoramic sunroof is placed only on cars in the top version and eats up the space above the passengers' heads a little, but this is not critical - the headroom is large in any case

Practicality

The wheelbase of the Tiggo 7 Pro is only 20 mm longer than its predecessor, but the space in the second row is organized in such a way that the headroom behind the driver of average height is decent, and the high roof does not interfere even with tall riders. And we are talking about the version with a panoramic roof, which takes two or three centimeters of free space. There is no separate air conditioning unit in the back, but the floor is flat, the armrests are in place, and there are sockets for gadgets - however, only in the top-end configuration.

The trunk - no wow. It is enough that under the curtain there is a very decent 475 liters for the segment. With the backs of the sofa folded, the manufacturer promises exactly one and a half cubic meters, and this should be a convenient volume, not limited by a sloping roof or a strong slope of the tailgate glass. One has only to bear in mind the large step and the noticeable angle of inclination of the folded backs - an even floor will not work.

The list of practical little things should include a number of non-standard solutions that seem almost curtsies towards buyers. For example, the wiper blades lie behind the edge of the hood at rest, but at the same time they can be easily lifted for replacement or cleaning without activating special service modes. The hood lid is supported by two gas stops, and the engine compartment is completely covered with a neat plastic casing. Its usefulness in terms of dirt and noise insulation is questionable, but it looks very neat. And for access to the battery and oil filler neck, two removable covers are provided.

There is a lot of space - with a certain skill, you can even cross your legs. There is almost no tunnel, the armrest is in place, heating - only in the older configuration

It's a pity that the heating buttons are hidden in the depths of the console - without knowing in advance that they are there, you won't even guess to look

Test suitcases enter the compartment without effort, and if you remove the curtain, two more fit

Additional niches, except for underground space, are not provided. But the pile upholstery of the niche of the compartment with a spare wheel is a rarity

The backs are folded in parts, but with a huge step and not very even

It may seem that the ground clearance here is not worse than that of a serious SUV, but only under the bumper. If you look to the left - where the crankcase protection hangs low - it turns out that the real ground clearance is about 18 cm. Which, however, is also not bad

The rear overhang is neatly made and will definitely not interfere with overlapping parking even with a very high curb

Technique and reliability

At the heart of the Tiggo 7 Pro is the same T1X platform that the Chinese developed with Jaguar Land Rover. The peculiarity of this "bogie" is that it allows you to vary the length of the wheelbase and the amount of ground clearance, therefore it is used in both the compact Tiggo 4 and the older Tiggo 8. But even in comparison with the previous Tiggo 7, the Pro version has a base 20 mm longer …

The only engine with the E4T15 index is equipped with multipoint injection, a turbine and a variable valve timing system. In China, it develops 156 hp, but in Russia it is slightly derated in order to reduce tax payments. It has a modern design in which the exhaust manifold and block head are one piece, and the intercooler and electronic thermostat are integrated into the intake manifold. And for this motor, oddly enough, there are no complaints at all either in Russia or in Ukraine.

We have not heard anything about mechanical problems with the CVT25 V-belt variator, although some owners ask the dealer to update the box firmware. What for? Allegedly, after this, the car becomes less thoughtful (especially in the economy mode), the jabs disappear when switching from drive to reverse and vice versa. However, dealers do not always agree to this operation, checking its need for a VIN number. There is no information about the resource yet, but it is known that the variator is designed for 280 Nm of torque, and the turbo engine produces 210 Nm, so there is a certain margin.

The suspension scheme is also similar to the Tiggo 7: MacPherson strut in front, and an original multi-link in the back. At the same time, the Pro, unlike the usual Tiggo 7, is equipped with an electric power steering. The only known problem is the knocking of the front struts, which is especially evident in cold weather and upsets owners, but is difficult to detect when visiting service stations. This defect is treated only by replacing the racks, if the dealer can be convinced that the case is under warranty.

What else? Sometimes on-board electronics errors pop up on new cars - due to the fact that the battery terminals were not screwed on well at the factory or in the cabin. There were cases of fogging of the lights of the running lights and damage to the paintwork due to friction with the hinged elements of the body. This set of quibbles is still exhausted, which leads to the idea of an increase in the quality of Chinese cars.

Riding

Alas, the original chassis can hardly be called balanced. The crossover requires steering on a straight line, jumps off the trajectory on irregularities and almost does not transmit information to an overly clamped (especially in "Sport") steering wheel. And with extreme maneuvers, the crossover rolls heavily and slips helplessly with the front end, sometimes hanging out one of the rear wheels. The Tiggo 7 Pro does not try to turn on the gas at all, although it is this setting that is considered the safest.

At first, the rolls give hope that the Tiggo 7 Pro will be comfortable on a bumpy road, but even here it is not without features. On decent roads, where there are only small cracks and small ripples of defects, passengers are very comfortable. But at the larger seams, the suspension begins to knock resiliently and noisily, and it even goes through serious potholes with hard blows. Fortunately, no breakdowns. Add to this picture deck rolling on the longitudinal waves of the asphalt, which can only be fought by reducing the speed. As a result, in most modes, the car seems clumsy and phlegmatic.

No, the crossover jumps briskly from the spot, but barely pulls at low gas. The declared almost 150 turbochargers seem to be hidden somewhere deep under the accelerator pedal. Now, if you push through from the heart, then the variator will drive the engine into the upper part of the operating range, and acceleration - albeit completely linear - will cease to be conventional. In this mode, you can even get some pleasure, but driving with high revs and trolleybus acceleration quickly tires. As a result, it is difficult for the driver to find the driving mode in which the car remains sufficiently dynamic, but at the same time does not force the fight against noise or suspension roll.

You can, of course, turn on the sport mode, which makes the throttle response noticeably sharper. Moreover, the box in this case, in contrast to the "automatic" or "robot", does not hang in low gears, but keeps the optimal engine speed, quickly changing the gear ratio at the command of the accelerator. This option is suitable for daily use, for example, in Moscow - with traffic jams and sharp accelerations. Unless, of course, the driver is confused by the red instrument scales. And even when accelerating to the floor, the variator in sport mode begins to sort out virtual gears, and this seems superfluous and unnatural.

As a result, the character of the Tiggo 7 Pro seems unbalanced, although the feeling that the car has been seriously worked on remains. If it were not for the noisy operation of the suspension on bumps and the howl of the engine during acceleration, the overall level of comfort could be called very high. This is easy to understand when cruising on a good highway, when the Tiggo 7 Pro is really capable of lulling passengers with smooth swaying and good noise isolation with a barely noticeable engine voice. It seems that this is the most suitable mode of operation of such a machine.

Prices and equipment

It is in the price lists that you can find the answer to the question of why Chery keeps on the market two commensurate models with the same units. The Tiggo 7 Pro is more expensive than the old Tiggo 7, but incomparably older and much more attractive in all respects - from looks to the list of equipment. The machine is well equipped, and even the initial version Luxury cost 1,519,900 rubles Equipped with LED headlights, a 10-inch media camera with a rear-view camera and a keyless entry system with remote engine start. There is no need to pay extra even for alloy wheels, roof rails, hill start and descent system, air conditioning and instrument panel display.

From some angles, the Tiggo 7 Pro is really good, and it really has its own style: there are complex sidewalls, interesting details, and even a "floating" roof

Embossed sidewalls and a distinctive glazing line make the Tiggo 7 Pro look very fashionable

Two-tone paint is the only option available only for the older configuration. It costs only 30,000 rubles

The honeycomb lining of the radiator with different-sized "stones" of chrome is almost a masterpiece, because it creates a three-dimensional picture from afar

At the back, the crossover seems to have not been fully completed - the break of the rack and the optics are in perfect order, but here the bumper dominates, and the tailgate seems small

Cameras in the mirrors are also a sign of the older configuration with a panoramic view system

Wheels have a diameter of 17 or 18 inches, depending on the configuration. Tires - Chinese brand Chao Yang

The C-pillar is covered with tinted glass and creates the feeling of a roof floating in the air - a very fashionable solution today

Optics - only LED, even in the initial configuration. It's beautiful and simple - but there are no washers and swivel sections here

The diodes of the taillights form a long mustache of dimensions, which in the middle is broken by the oval of the corporate emblem. Looks very good in the dark

The engine compartment is completely closed with a plastic cover. In the photo, two easily removable covers have been dismantled, which give access to the battery and some serviced components. In order to remove the entire cover, you will have to use a screwdriver

True, climate control (dual-zone) and side airbags appear only in the following configuration Elite per 1,589,900 rubles, but there will also immediately be larger 18-inch wheels, an electric trunk, heated rear seats, windshield and steering wheel, and even an electric driver's seat. And the eldest Prestige cost RUB 1,689,000 - this is a panoramic roof, all-round cameras, rain sensor, atmospheric lighting, wireless charging and power adjustment of the passenger seat. Yes, the Tiggo 7 Pro in any version does not have all-wheel drive, but try to collect a similar set for this money from any of the leading models of the segment - it will not work! You don't even need to pay extra for the color, and the only possible option is a two-tone paint job, which is available only in the older configuration and costs 30,000 rubles.

Competitors

Geely Atlas

Atlas входит в число самых самых популярных на нашем рынке китайских автомобилей и предлагает покупателям гораздо больше вариантов на выбор. Помимо начального двухлитрового мотора (139 л.с.) с МКП, есть варианты с двигателем 2.4 мощностью 148 сил или 184-сильным турбомотором 1.8, причём они уже комплектуются «автоматом» и могут быть полноприводными. Цены на Atlas 2.4 начинаются от 1 584 990 рублей, а полноприводный турбокроссовер будет стоить 1 819 990 рублей" style="width: 823px; margin-right: 8px;">

Changan CS55

Более крупная и солидная версия популярного компакт-кроссовера Changan CS35 Plus тоже не имеет полного привода и оснащается турбомотором объемом 1,5 литра с отдачей 143 лошадиных силы. Вариант с механической коробкой стоит минимум 1 369 900 рублей, с 6-ступенчатым «автоматом» - от 1 499 900 до 1 569 900 рублей в зависимости от комплектации, которых, к слову, всего две" style="width: 823px; margin-right: 8px;">

Haval F7

Формально F7 немного крупнее, но версии с 1,5-литровым турбомотором мощностью 150 л.с., 7-ступенчатым роботом и передним приводом попадают в ту же ценовую категорию. База стоит 1 499 000 рублей, комплектация получше - 1 589 000 рублей. Полный привод дороже на 80 000 рублей, но комплектации у таких машин богаче. А стоимость двухлитровых (190 л.с.) машин приближается к 2 миллионам" style="width: 823px; margin-right: 8px;">

Renault Arkana

Машина в форм-факторе купе-кроссовера имеет сравнимые габариты, а в базовых комплектациях стоит дешевле (от 1 183 000 рублей за начальную 114-сильную машину). За версию с турбомотором 1.3 мощностью 150 сил в паре с вариатором просят уже минимум 1 428 000 рублей, а в старшей комплектации она обойдётся в 1 618 000 рублей. Но есть и полноприводные варианты" style="width: 823px; margin-right: 8px;">

Renault Arkan The car in the coupe-crossover form-factor has comparable dimensions, and in basic configurations it is cheaper (from 1 183 000 rubles for the initial 114-horsepower car). For the version with a 1.3 turbo engine with a capacity of 150 forces paired with a variator, they already ask for at least 1,428,000 rubles, and in the older configuration it will cost 1,618,000 rubles. But there are also four-wheel drive options

KiSportage

Sportage чуть компактнее и дороже, но начальные двухлитровые (150 л.с.) версии с передним приводом и «автоматом» вполне можно рассматривать как альтернативу китайской модели. Цены на них начинаются от 1 609 900 рублей и доходят до 1 745 900 рублей. Зато на выбор доступны сразу пять комплектаций" style="width: 823px; margin-right: 8px;">

Hyundai Tucson

На рынок скоро выйдет Tucson нового поколения, а нынешний более-менее подходит только в одном исполнении: переднеприводная машина с АКП в начальной версии Primary стоимостью 1 689 000 рублей. Цены остальных приближаются к 1,8 миллиона, а полный привод делает машину ещё дороже" style="width: 823px; margin-right: 8px;">

Output

In the story about another Chinese car, there are again quite a lot of “ifs” that you can close your eyes to if you mentally exchange moderate amounts in the price list for the number of horsepower, display pixels and centimeters of space. In fact, this is another milestone for Chinese models on their way to full-fledged competitors like the VW Tiguan and ToyotRAV4. Which are already beating these popular models in terms of the ratio of price and amount of equipment for each ruble invested, but are still lagging behind in purely automotive disciplines.

True, they are no longer too far behind, and outwardly, many new items from China are completely ready to give their European and Korean competitors a few points ahead. And if you are not looking for exquisite handling or all-consuming comfort in a car, drive mainly on normal roads and in a quiet mode, then the Tiggo 7 Pro for 1.5-1.7 million rubles will offer you much more than just a good set of equipment and a spacious interior …