First impressions: are Chery’s Tiggo 7 and 8 the real deal?

You may not have heard of the Chinese brand Chery before, but it’s likely to be a household name soon. It’s the parent company of Omoda and Jaecoo, which recently launched in the UK to much success, and has been China’s largest vehicle exporter for 22 years in a row.

While Chery has enjoyed huge success on home turf, it’s now set its sights on the UK – launching two new SUVs, the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8, which it says will “set a new benchmark for family focused SUVs.”

Let’s start with the Tiggo 7. This is a five-seat SUV available with either a petrol engine (from £24,995) or as a plug-in hybrid (from £29,995). You can choose between two trims: Aspire or Summit, with the Summit adding extras such as a panoramic sunroof.

The Tiggo 8, meanwhile, is the bigger sibling. It’s a seven-seat SUV available with either a petrol engine (from £28,545) or a plug-in hybrid (from £33,545). With the rear row folded flat, luggage space opens up to a massive 1,930 litres.

So, that’s the basics covered. But what are they actually like to live with? We’ve driven both and taken a closer look to see whether they have what it takes to convince you out of that Nissan Qashqai.

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Tiggo 7 and 8 design

At first glance, both cars look rather handsome. The Tiggo 7 has that modern SUV look but doesn’t feel oversized or bulky on the road. The silver paint on the one I tested actually gave it the premium look you’d expect from something more expensive, such as a Mercedes.

The Tiggo 8 takes that a step further. It’s bigger, sleeker, and has more presence when parked. Up front, the diamond-shaped grille and “tiger claw” light accents give it a distinctive face – the design is a nod to its name, Tiggo, which comes from tiger.

Both manage to feel stylish and contemporary without trying too hard, which is a nice balance for a family SUV.

Tiggo 7 and 8 interior and infotainment

Inside, Chery has clearly put effort into making these feel “posh.”

The Tiggo 7 has synthetic leather and a clean design, and the materials are soft to touch. It’s a quiet place to sit too – the insulation is good enough that most of the time you only notice the AC or your music rather than much in the way of wind and road noise.

The seats are comfy, though I did wish they hugged a bit more around corners. The infotainment screen looks crisp but can be a little laggy, and reaching it from the driver’s seat feels like a stretch. That said, the “Hello Chery” voice assistant is a neat touch, and I appreciated that the climate controls still have proper buttons.

Step into the Tiggo 8 and things feel a bit more upmarket again. The suede-and-leather combo in the cabin looks and feels premium. The bigger infotainment screen is quicker to respond and there’s even a head-up display for your speed.

Two wireless charging pads are a nice family-friendly bonus. It’s not perfect though – Apple CarPlay isn’t laid out very well (some icons end up hidden behind the wheel), and you still need to stretch a bit for some touchscreen functions while on the move.

Tiggo 7 and 8 space and practicality

For family life, both cars tick a lot of boxes.

The Tiggo 7 has plenty of headroom and a big boot – about 465 litres, or over 1,000 litres with the seats down. That’s more than enough for the weekly shop or luggage for a holiday. It’s also a doddle to pop stuff in because there’s no lip to lift things over. The only gripe is the limited small-item storage: just a couple of cup holders and fairly tight door bins. Rear legroom will be fine for most passengers, but taller folks might find knee room a little tight.

The Tiggo 8 is better suited if you’re carting kids, bags, or both. There’s more space all round, good headroom even for six-footers, and the boot really opens up once you fold the rear seats. ISOFIX points are there for child seats, and you get little conveniences like electric seat adjustment that remembers your seating position. Again though, the door bins aren’t great for bigger bottles and cubby space is scarce.

Tiggo 7 and 8 engine and driving

On the road, both cars lean towards comfort rather than sportiness. The Tiggo 7’s petrol engine feels lively enough for everyday use. Pulling out of junctions and overtaking doesn’t leave you hanging, and it sits happily at motorway speeds. Steering is light but accurate, and the brakes feel sharp.

Its main weakness is the suspension: on potholes or rougher roads, the cabin jiggles and you feel more of the bumps than you’d like.

The Tiggo 8, with its plug-in hybrid setup, is smoother and quieter at low speeds. It builds up speed easily and has three drive modes, with ‘Sport’ making things a little more eager. Like the 7, it shines more on motorways than country lanes.

Over rougher roads it still bounces around more than ideal, and the odd creak or clatter sneaks into the cabin. It also feels a bit less stable if you have to swerve quickly, which is where I wanted more side support from the seats.

Are the Tiggo 7 and 8 worth it?

Yes, but with a few caveats.

The Tiggo 7, starting at under £25,000, feels like a lot of car for the money. It gives you a comfortable cabin, a big boot, decent tech, and a premium feel without stretching your budget too far. The infotainment lag and the unsettled suspension are its main downsides, but otherwise it’s a solid all-rounder.

The Tiggo 8 feels more polished, especially with its hybrid system, bigger cabin, and more up-to-date tech. It’s the better option if you want extra space or do lots of motorway miles. But again, drive comfort on rough roads could be better, and the touchscreen layout isn’t the most intuitive.

Both, though, feel more premium than their price suggests. So, if you’re looking for a family SUV that feels “posh” without costing premium-brand money, the Tiggo 7 and 8 are definitely worth a look.

When can I buy the Tiggo 7 and 8?

The Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 have already landed in the UK, with deliveries starting in early September. The Tiggo 7 lines up against affordable family SUVs such as the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, while the bigger Tiggo 8 goes head-to-head with seven-seaters such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Peugeot 5008.

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