Compact crossover SUV at an attractive price

A NEW SUV made by a car maker you have probably never heard of is about to appear on roads in Britain.

In fact, though you may not have heard of this particular carmaker, it already has one model available here.

Now Chery UK is introducing the Chery Tiggo 7 as its second SUV for the UK market with a choice of a petrol-powered engine or super hybrid system.

Chery is of course Chinese, founded in 1997, and is currently part of the fourth largest car manufacturing group in China.

And I think this SUV’s launch is indicative of the surge in Chinese-produced cars that are attracting UK buyers, not only because of the price but also its excellent specifications.

The Chery Tiggo 7 is priced at £24,995 (on the road) for the 1.6-litre TDGI and £29,995 (on the road) for the super hybrid.

Optimised for UK buyers with “comprehensive tech and family-focused specifications”, alongside a seven-year warranty (or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first), the SUV will be on sale later this summer through a UK-wide dealer network.

The launch of this new model comes just weeks after Chery UK announced its operations in this new territory.

Chery UK has also been responsible for the successful introduction of sister brands Omoda UK and Jaecoo UK.

The five-seater Chery Tiggo 7 will be available in two trim levels. The base Aspire grade provides premium technologies, including a multi-function synthetic leather steering wheel, dual-zone air-conditioning, adaptive cruise control, six-speaker Sony audio system, cooled wireless smartphone and front and rear parking sensors.

All of these are accessed via a “high-quality and comfortable cabin”, which seats five adults. Chery Tiggo 7 Summit models add an eight-speaker Sony audio system, ventilated first row seats, hands-free tailgate access, heated steering wheel and side mirror ground illumination (puddle lamps).

The two proven powertrains produced by parent company and namesake are, first, a 1.6-litre Turbocharged Direct Gasoline Injection (TDGI) engine, that produces 147PS and 275Nm of torque. This enables the Chery Tiggo 7 in its pure petrol variant to accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 9.4 seconds with a top speed of 112mph.

Meanwhile, the Chery Tiggo 7 super hybrid is a plug-in hybrid model with both self-charging and fast charging capabilities.

It offers a total range of 745 miles, including 56 EV-only miles, and is capable of a 0 to 62mph time of 8.5 seconds, with a top speed of 112mph.

In this version, drivers can fast charge the 18.3kWh CATL lithium iron phosphate battery in 20 minutes (30 to 80 per cent) or allow the car to self-charge on the go.

Alongside this, the Chery Tiggo 7 also offers “green” benefits, thanks in part to its CO2 emissions, which come in at 23g/km.

All models have a curved dual-screen setup which comprises two 12.3in displays — one central, the other in the instrument panel, 540-degree cameras and three driving modes (Eco, Normal and Sport).

On the exterior, the Chery Tiggo design language has been extended with tiger’s eye lights on the rear, Crystal coloured IQ LED headlights, floating roof design and diamond front grille. Chery UK deputy country director, Farrell Hsu, said: “With the Chery Tiggo 7, we believe the time is right to introduce this versatile compact crossover SUV to UK buyers.”

He said Chery International has developed, manufactured, and exported the Chery Tiggo line-up for more than 20 years, with “millions of drivers worldwide choosing our SUVs for their blend of style, technology, and practicality”.

Mr Hsu said that the carmaker’s research showed that customers were “increasingly seeking efficient, well-equipped alternatives in the SUV market”.

He claimed the Chery Tiggo 7 delivered “exactly that, combining impressive efficiency with exceptional value and a bold, modern design”.

He said the car has been designed for the UK’s “demanding roads”, and offered buyers a “smart, comfortable new choice in one of the UK’s most popular segments”.

Joining the Chery Tiggo 8, its seven-seater stable-mate, the UK-refined Chery Tiggo 7 will have RAC Home Start cover as standard. And the super hybrid version will have an eight-year battery warranty.