Mat Watson reviews the Chery Tiggo 7: this roomy SUV is great value, but I don’t think you should buy one

This is the new Chery Tiggo 7, a close relation to the Chery Tiggo 8 – which won the Hybrid Hero and overall top spot in the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year awards. The Tiggo 7 is the smaller sibling, a five-seat SUV that’s a cheaper alternative to the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage.

I’m going to run through what this car’s like inside and out, how roomy and practical it is, what it’s like to drive and tell you which one you should buy – or, what you should buy instead. If you already know you want this car and you just want to know the best-value way to buy one, read our comparison of buying and leasing a Chery Tiggo 7.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

New Chery Tiggo 7 design and interior

Chinese car designers are no strangers to taking inspiration from other models, but while something like the Jaecoo 7 looks like a straight copy of one particular model, the Tiggo 7 looks as though it’s a jigsaw of other brands’ styling features.

The grille and headlights are very Audi-esque, while the way the rear window kicks up reminds me of a Lexus LBX.

It’s the same on the inside, where the big twin-screen dashboard, intricate speaker covers and swooping shape remind me of more recent Mercedes models.

I’m not sure about all this copying, to be honest – and there are a few areas where it becomes obvious that quality control isn’t quite up to the standards of Nissan or Kia. While the interior feels very solid, the exterior panel gaps are a bit suspect, and the black window frames aren’t painted or clad, they’re just wrapped.

Still, for the price, you can’t expect Lexus levels of build quality and attention to detail – not when you consider what you get for your money.

Chery Tiggo 7 prices and value

Prices for this SUV kick off at just under £25,000, which is about £4,000 less than even the most basic Volkswagen Golf. You’ll pay an extra £3,000 for the top-spec trim, or an extra £5,000 for the plug-in hybrid.

The Tiggo 7 comes in two trims, Aspire and Summit, and even the base one gets electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, a rear-view camera, wireless smartphone connectivity and full LED lights.

But at this price, why not treat yourself to the top-spec car? It gets a Sony stereo, wireless phone charger, a powered tailgate, a 360-degree camera and posher 19-inch alloy wheels. It’s still a steal at under £33,000, but with Carwow savings you can lop a nice chunk off that price.

Chery Tiggo 7 space and practicality

One thing you also get for your money is lots of space. The Tiggo 7 has a massive 565-litre boot, or 484 litres if you get the plug-in hybrid, and there’s lots of rear legroom and headroom too.

Storage space up front is fantastic with a big under-armrest storage cubby, space under the centre console and a wireless phone charger ahead of the cupholders.

It’s not quite as wide across the back as a Kia Sportage, so sitting three people across the rear bench is a bit of a squeeze. But compared to the small hatchbacks you’d be looking at for the same price, it’s very good.

Chery Tiggo 7 engines and driving

There are two engine options for the Tiggo 7. The first is a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol with 147hp. It’s the cheapest option, but you’d be best avoiding it – it’s noisy, thirsty, and not very powerful.

Much better is the plug-in hybrid with 204hp. This drives just like an electric car because the electric motors do most of the work while the engine acts as a generator in the background. Not only do you get 56 miles of all-electric range, but it’s even quite efficient when the battery’s discharged.

It’s also much quicker than you’d expect – I managed to do 0-60mph in just 7.4 seconds, which isn’t far off some cars billed as ‘sporty’.

Despite this turn of pace, you’d struggle to describe the Tiggo 7 as much fun to drive. Most of the time, it’s fine – and if you’re just looking for something to ferry the kids about in, then you won’t be too worried. It’s quite comfy on the motorway as well.

But if you’re a keen driver like me then you won’t enjoy the Tiggo 7 very much. The suspension jiggles about a bit too much over potholes, but it also leans a lot in the bends – and the steering doesn’t give you any clue about what the front wheels are doing. The powertrain’s weirdly inconsistent when you’re going quickly too, sometimes giving you a big lump of power and other times not doing much at all.

Chery Tiggo 7: Mat’s final verdict

So it’s roomy, well-priced, comes with loads of equipment and is much quicker than you expect – what’s the catch? Well, the problem with the Tiggo 7 is that for just a couple of thousand pounds more you can have the Chery Tiggo 8.

That car shares the Tiggo 7’s underpinnings and powertrains, but it’s a bit posher inside and has the benefit of seven seats. Plus, on monthly costs – particularly leasing – the difference between the two cars is barely anything.

You could also consider the Jaecoo 7 if you know you don’t want seven seats. This again is the same as the Tiggo 7 under the skin, but you can also get it with a self-charging hybrid engine or four-wheel drive depending on your preferences. And it looks just that bit cooler.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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