Facelifted Chery Tiggo 7 debuts in South Africa - but is it still too close to the Cross?

While the smaller Chery Tiggo 4 Pro sets the sales charts alight in South Africa with its sharp pricing, two slightly larger models are fighting for a smaller share of the pie just above that.

One of these is the Chery Tiggo 7, which has just received a comprehensive facelift and range realignment to shift it a notch or two more upmarket, presumably so it clashes less with the recently introduced Chery Tiggo Cross.

The upgraded Chery Tiggo 7, which now rolls off the tongue a little easier thanks to the “Pro” being dropped from the end of its name, hits the market in three new specification flavours.

The 1.5T Prime kicks things off at R429,900, with the 1.6T Prestige taking the middle ground at R499,900 and the 1.6T Legacy laying on all the trimmings for R549,900.

The pre-facelift Tiggo 7 Pro, for what it’s worth, cost between R389,900 and R609,900. 

The Chery Tiggo Cross, which is actually the new Tiggo 4 in most overseas markets, retails from R399,900 to R449,900. But it’s not much smaller than the Tiggo 7, being just 2mm shorter and 31mm narrower, albeit less spacious inside thanks to its wheelbase being 60mm shorter. The Cross is a good 102kg lighter, however, which translates to better economy and performance.

The two vehicles are perhaps positioned a little too close for comfort, but it’s worth keeping in mind that the Tiggo 7 is an older-generation product, ultimately providing more metal for the money. 

What’s new for 2025?

The Chery Tiggo 7 retains its basic body shell, but the front and rear sections have been redesigned.

Upfront we see a new diamond-effect grille, flanked by standard LED headlights and garnished by a more deeply sculpted lower bumper. The back end is distinguished by new taillights and reprofiled tailgate and bumper, all of which forge a closer resemblance to the Tiggo Cross. The cabin also receives a significant update.

The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine in the entry version of the Tiggo 7, also found in the Cross, carries over as before, with outputs of 108kW and 210Nm, channeling power through the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine, fitted to Prestige and Legacy, delivers 145kW and 290Nm, through a seven speed dual-clutch gearbox.

A plug-in hybrid version of the Tiggo 7 was also introduced recently, priced at R599,900.

What features do you get in the Tiggo 7?

As is the norm with Chinese SUVs, buyers are not left wanting for gadgets, even in the lower-specced versions.

To that end, the 1.5 Prestige ships with 18-inch alloy wheels, 12.3-inch dual screen infotainment system with “Hello Chery” intelligent voice command, dual-zone climate control, keyless start, rear-view camera, four airbags and traction control, to name a few. 

The 1.6T Prestige adds 19-inch alloys, synthetic leather seats, with power adjustment for the driver, surround-view camera and multi-coloured ambient lighting. The airbag count now rises to eight, including a front-centre crash bag, and additional safety features include Blind Spot Detection and Rear Collision Warning.

Up at the top, the 1.6T Legacy gains a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, power-operated tailgate, eight-speaker Sony sound system and a vast suite of driver assist gizmos, including Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking.

All Chery Tiggo 7 models are sold with a five-year or 60,000km service plan, five-year or 150,000km warranty and 10-year/1-million kilometre engine warranty for the first owner.

Chery Tiggo 7 Pricing (July 2025)

• 1.5T Prime - R429,900
• 1.6T Prestige - R499,900
• 1.6T Legacy - R549,900

IOL Motoring