A festive period spent in the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max ended in a conversation that moved a unit for the Chinese disruptor, writes Ryan Vrede.
“Yo, I saw you were driving that Chery. I’m thinking of getting one. What’s your experience been like?”
This call from a friend proved to be the catalyst for an appraisal that ended with him as a Tiggo 7 Pro Max owner.
Until then, I’d not crystalised my thoughts on the vehicle. After around three weeks, intuitively, I’d enjoyed my experience. The pros significantly overwhelmed the cons, and it felt like a vehicle I’d miss once I returned it, which is only the case for a small clutch of vehicles that come into the test fleet.
The question forced me to focus my thinking. Here’s what I said to him.
Aesthetics and tech
We eat with our eyes first, and the Pro Max’s styling engages you at this primary point – it is a treat. Contemporary and familiar insomuch as there are design cues shared across the mid-sized SUV category, but still possesses enough distinctive characteristics (the diamond grille is striking), and a unique stance – a hybrid of poised and brutish – to differentiate it from its competitors.
The interior is progressive from a design perspective, characterised by clean lines, premium-feeling finishes, and a pair of 12.3-inch screens – one being the entertainment system and the other a gauge and instrument cluster – that amplify your in-vehicle experience. A 50W wireless phone charger juices you up in no time.
A new Sony 8-speaker system delivered my ’90s R&B and hip-hop playlist with punch and clarity. Android Auto is my audio courier of choice, but wireless Apple Carplay is available to those who’ve not yet seen the light. I kid. Maybe.
Speaking of light – it floods in through the panoramic sunroof. The vitamin D infusion made me happy. It’s science.
Some driver aids assaulted my happiness, the chief culprit being an alert that tells you you’ve been distracted. Fifteen seconds later it tells you you’ve been distracted for a long time. I caught myself wondering if I needed a Ritalin prescription, and was mildly irritated by the endless stream of beeps nudging me to stop doing something, or do more of something, or do something differently.
In the end, I accepted that the machines are fallible and it is some time yet before they take over the world. Mercifully, you can turn the majority of these alerts off without compromising your safety.
They get it right in so many other areas though, and in a tech-laden carriage, the sheer weight of pluses outstrips the minuses.
Performance and economy
My mate asked about performance, and with 145 kW and 290 Nm on call when you need it, the Pro Max packs a punch. I explained this is useful for a school run when the spawn are acting up and you need to abdicate your parental duties quickly, or on road trips where the “Are we there yet?” starts. It’s also particularly useful for those escapist moments when you’re alone bumping Biggie and reaching back to a stage in your life where you didn’t have crippling debit orders.
The 1,6-litre turbopetrol motor and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is a transplant from its big brother, the Tiggo 8 Pro.
With this great power comes great driveability (6 modes: Eco, Normal, Sport plus Snow, Mud and Off-Road), albeit at a heightened fuel economy. This was exaggerated for me, given that I cranked the aircon all the way up to counter the effects of an open roof in a Cape Town summer.
Space and utility
As a childless man (sorry, Elon) my needs, in a space context, differed from my mate’s, who has two kids. Caught in the middle of a cricket season, while simultaneously trying to become a padel pro, I needed space for sports bags, and teammates. The Pro Max swallowed both comfortably. Soon it will have to house a dog, which I have no reservations about.
He needed space for standard holiday loads, including day-trips to the beach and road trips to places families go to and singles avoid. Later he needed space for a combination of school bags, sports bags and camper chairs used to watch his children be very average at sports (his words). Both needs were met without strain.
The load capacity increases to 1040 litres with the back seats folded down, which I told him would be useful if he wanted to store his kids in the boot after disappointing performances on the sports field. He laughed, but his phone was on speaker and his wife didn’t.
Final verdict
At the end of our conversation, my mate was sold. He traded in an iconic 7-seater from a Japanese manufacturer for the Chinese disruptor. He told me he saved R6000 per month in the process. I suggested he use that for private sports coaching. His wife cut the call on his behalf.
Chery may owe me a finder’s fee. I doubt they’ll pay it because they’re probably acutely aware that if you’re in the market for a vehicle like this, the Tiggo 7 Pro Max sells itself.
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max Executive AWD at a Glance
- Price: from R529 900
- Engine: 1,6-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol
- Transmission: seven-speed, dual-clutch
- Power: 145 kW @ 5 500 r/min
- Torque: 290 N.m @ 1 750 r/min
- Driven wheels: all-wheel drive
- Fuel consumption: 9,4 L/100 km
- CO2 emissions: 186 g/km
- Rivals: Haval H6, Suzuki Vitara
Follow Vrede on X @Ryan_Vrede