This latest Chery SUV is set to take aim squarely at Proton’s X70 with an estimated RM 128k price tag.
While Proton’s X70 has long been a strong seller locally since its initial debut five years ago now, it has nevertheless been getting harder and harder to recommend one outright in recent time. Such is largely because there is soon to be a facelifted version of this Geely rebadge that is set to arrive within the next couple of months, and Chery just threw another spanner in the works too by announcing that their Tiggo 7 Pro is set to land locally at around the same time as well.
News which has perhaps not to be too big a surprise given that Chery has not exactly been subtle in teasing its imminent arrival, what has however since been revealed by the Chinese automaker is for the Tiggo 7 Pro to likely be landing in Malaysia within the first half of 2024. This will therefore mark the second model the Chinese automaker aims to debut over here this year, after the local launch of its all-electric Omoda E5 that is currently penned in for March.
What more is that Chery has also since confirmed recently that powering the local Tiggo 7 Pro will be a 1.6-litre TGDI turbocharged four-cylinder, which will be outputting a decent 197 hp and 290 Nm of torque. This boosted mill in turn will be mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, which will reportedly be capable of hustling this mid-sized SUV to the century sprint in a more-than-healthy 8.3 seconds.
As for its kit list meanwhile, Chery has teased for the locally-available Tiggo 7 Pro is to be available with 17 ADAS features and a 540º surround view camera, which would be handy to prevent curbing its 18-inch alloy wheels. Other more luxury-oriented creature comforts within this Chinese SUV is set to include a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, an 8-speaker Sony-branded audio system and a cumulative 24.6-inch dual-screen infotainment and driver’s display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Now going from what is available in other markets too, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro will likely land locally with electrically-adjustable and foldable side mirrors with integrated turn signals, automatic LED headlights and LED tail lights, illuminated side sills, fog lamps, keyless entry and start, a powered tailgate, and a synthetic leather interior with contrast stitching. In terms of the more practical aspect regarding this Tiggo 7 Pro on the other hand, this 5-seat SUV measures 4,500 mm in length with a 2,670 mm wheelbase. The boot offers 475-litre of cargo carrying capacity, which is then expandable to 1,500-litres with the rear seats folded down.
Chery has unfortunately yet to answer the big question regarding the price of this upcoming Tiggo 7 Pro, but the whispers on the vine has been floating the figure of around RM 128,000 for this locally-assembled C-segment SUV. A price which unsurprisingly puts the top-tier X70 squarely in its sights, so let the battle between Chinese SUVs in Malaysia commence!
