SPONSORED: If it wasn’t sufficient for Chery Australia to promote up a storm in 2024 with its new Tiggo 4 Professional mild SUV and Tiggo 8 Professional Max giant SUV, it now seems to be set to proceed that momentum with the most recent model of its Tiggo 7 Professional mid-sized SUV.
Chery, maybe greater than another Chinese language automobile producer, has shortly carved out a stable fame because the value-for-money champion on the inexpensive finish of Australia’s booming SUV market.
Inside three years of its relaunch Down Beneath, Chery has methodically crammed a few of the nation’s hottest gross sales segments to supply a spread of recent fashions with up to date designs, sound engineering, and high-tech options, all backed by a complete seven-year manufacturing unit guarantee and five-star ANCAP security scores.
And now lower than 18 months after it arrived right here, the Tiggo 7 Professional has are available for what Chery calls a mid-cycle refresh, streamlining the lineup to the Particular Version (SE) and Particular Version+ (SE+). Each medium SUVs are front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive now not obtainable within the Tiggo 7 Professional vary. Chery says there was little demand for the pricier AWD model, with these consumers gravitating to the bigger Tiggo 8 Professional Max AWD.
Whereas the most recent Tiggo 7 boasts a few new design cues, together with a bit of the entrance fascia that’s gone from blue to silver and a brand new black alloy wheel design for the top-spec Plus. However that’s hardly probably the most engaging side of the most recent mid-sized SUV from Chery.
Amid the rising price of residing, consumers shall be thrilled to be taught the brand new entry-level Tiggo 7 Professional SE is priced from simply $29,990 drive-away, whereas the top-spec SE+ may be yours from solely $33,990 drive-away.
Costs like these haven’t been seen on a brand new mid-sized SUV for a number of years, and there’s nothing even shut in the identical section as we speak. Even with out contemplating the know-how and tools on supply right here as normal, the Tiggo 7 Professional represents terribly good worth.
Most Chinese language automobile manufacturers pack so much into their autos, but it surely’s Chery which appears to be persistently providing probably the most full bundle for even much less cash than its rivals – and there’s an limitless stock of normal options.
However past the premium options and excessive degree of consolation on supply, it’s the execution of the engineering and total construct high quality that basically impresses right here.
There’s a lot normal package inside, even within the base SE, that I discovered myself trying across the cabin for indicators of cost-cutting as a result of it’s such a feature-rich surroundings that covers all of the bases – from design, supplies and construct high quality to tech and luxury. You surprise how Chery does it for the value.
For instance, not solely are the entrance bucket seats extra snug than something from many luxurious manufacturers, however in addition they look the half. There’s distinction piping and metal-look ‘sports activities’ inserts, together with excellent cushion consolation for these longer hauls.
Consumers popping out of older autos are in for a real deal with with the lengthy checklist of normal goodies together with machined 18-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing LED headlights with auto high-beam, proximity entry with push-button begin, and auto walk-away locking – we will’t let you know sufficient how handy this function is.
There are twin 12.3-inch shows for the motive force’s instrument cluster and infotainment array, together with wi-fi and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite tv for pc navigation, an eight-speaker Sony sound system, dual-zone local weather management and LED inside lights.
Once more, that’s simply within the base Tiggo 7 SE. The SE+ you see right here provides big-ticket options like a large panoramic sunroof, energy tailgate, black alloy wheels and power-folding exterior mirrors.
Behind the wheel, it feels substantial by way of cabin area and trip top, however dimensionally it stretches simply over 4.5 metres in size, making it shorter total than many medium SUVs and making tight areas and buying centre carparks a breeze.
However right here’s the factor: rear legroom continues to be greater than beneficiant and there’s additionally respectable boot area together with a full-sized spare wheel. So the Tiggo 7 one way or the other appears to tick all of the bins after which some.
The worth for cash on supply with this car is genuinely spectacular, so you find yourself waxing lyrical about it to anybody even remotely interested by a brand new SUV.
We thought we’d put it to the check with a day journey right down to Berry on the NSW South Coast to go to a good friend’s farm, full with horses and a pleasant six-bed cottage with all of the mod-cons referred to as Girracool Grove, simply over the hill from Werri Seashore at Gerringong.
It’s a priceless setting, and the place has solely ever been with out company for 20 weekends over the previous 5 years.
Earlier than hitting the street, the primary check is at all times how fast and straightforward it’s to attach your cellphone to Apple CarPlay (or Android Auto). Whereas there are nonetheless some legacy manufacturers providing solely wired smartphone mirroring, the Tiggo 7 Professional boasts wi-fi types of connectivity for each platforms. It couldn’t be simpler to attach and it really works a deal with each time you climb again in.
Higher nonetheless, these twin screens supply crystal-clear readability and brilliant colors. And there’s a wi-fi charging pad forward of the shifter with a very good non-slip rubber base that holds your machine in place, even when punting alongside a twisty street at an affordable clip.
The Tiggo 7 Professional gives a number of drive modes – Eco, Regular and Sport – however we discovered Regular to be probably the most appropriate for on a regular basis situations given the general calibration of engine and gearbox.
By that I imply it’s suitably responsive if it is advisable to get away from the visitors lights or when pulling out of a busy junction, but it surely’s additionally comfortably smooth-shifting when pottering round suburbia or on the motorway.
Once more, it’s the cosiness of the entrance bucket seats that goes a protracted method to making this SUV one of many extra snug autos obtainable proper now.
At this extra inexpensive finish of the market, subtle air suspension methods and even adaptive dampers aren’t possible for producers, however the Tiggo 7 Professional is a superb instance of typical suspension executed effectively, rewarding its occupants with a properly tuned chassis which gives satisfying trip compliance and good physique management.
We pushed the Tiggo 7 by just a few 80km/h sign-posted corners and the videographer confirmed there was virtually zero physique roll. From behind the wheel, it felt safely planted to a degree we didn’t anticipate.
It could be front-wheel drive, however we additionally headed off the crushed monitor throughout rocks and small ruts whereas filming, and the Tiggo 7 didn’t need for extra traction.
It’s a surprisingly quiet cabin even on busy motorways, which was one more nice shock given the bargain-basement worth level. And let’s not neglect the aftersales possession prices throughout the complete Chery vary.
The Tiggo 7 Professional is roofed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, in addition to seven years of roadside help and capped-price servicing for final peace of thoughts.
It’s no surprise the Chery emblem is changing into a extra widespread sight on Australian roads, with top-notch autos that present an entire new automobile bundle, at worth factors that shouldn’t be missed by these looking for final worth for cash.
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