SIBLING RIVALRY: Chery Tiggo 7 vs. Chery Tiggo 8
Should I get the Toyota Fortuner or Innova? The Geely Coolray or Azkarra? These are just some of the questions asked by potential buyers when looking for a car that suits them. The two vehicles may be in two different classes but that won’t stop people from asking which one to get.
Comes in Chery Auto Philippines. Just like Geely which was launched in the country in September last year, Chery which came in November also introduced a lineup completely made up of crossover SUVs. Ranging from the small Tiggo 2 to the Tiggo 8 midsize 7-seater. For this comparison, we’ll be talking about the brand’s two largest offerings: the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8.
So if you’re looking at these two crossovers, one 5-seater and another 7-seater, which one is the best for you, especially considering that the base Tiggo 8 is priced just Php 85,000 more than the Tiggo 7.
Exterior
There is nothing bad to say at all about how these two crossovers look. What’s good is that they’re both eye-catching and have different faces unlike most vehicles from other brands which share completely the same front fascias. For me, the Tiggo 7 does it a little bit better though especially on the side with the turn indicators on the doors which are well integrated in the body lines. The Tiggo 7 does look a bit older than the Tiggo 8 so I guess it’s a win-win. Oh, and the Tiggo 8 gets full LED headlights with sequential turn signals while the Tiggo 7 just gets Xenon headlights. They both do well when it comes to lighting up the road ahead.
Both the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 are at a tie for this category as both look good and have their own unique style.
Interior
Both vehicles are miles apart when it comes to the interior. The Tiggo 8 visibly gets a more premium-looking design which feels a lot like those on luxury cars. The Tiggo 7 on the other hand gets a more simple design which isn’t bad. The seats on both models are exactly the same which means they both offer well-bolstered and supportive seats which are also wrapped in the same faux leather material which Chery claims is the same as on Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. In terms of other materials and fit and finish, the Tiggo 8 wins as it gets several soft-touch plastics around the interior while the Tiggo 7 only gets a small portion of the dashboard.
The Tiggo 7 and top-spec Tiggo 8 Lux EX also both come with a panoramic sunroof giving an impression of more space. The top-spec Tiggo 8 also gets mood lighting for the front passengers. The base Tiggo 8 Lux does not get these features.
The Tiggo 8 is clearly the winner here as it gets a more premium and modern interior whether on the top or base trim.
Space and Storage
The Tiggo 8 is understandably the default winner for this category as it’s a segment higher than the Tiggo 7. The Tiggo 8 can fit 7 passengers while the Tiggo 7 can only fit 5. It isn’t the end though for the Tiggo 7 as both crossovers offer a huge amount of legroom for the rear passengers. It’s a bonus that the Tiggo 8’s third row of seats amazingly still has a great amount of legroom and the second row isn’t sacrificed when giving 3rd row passengers more space.
As for storage space, the Tiggo 8 also gets a larger cargo area obviously with the 3rd row folded down. The Tiggo 7 on the other hand does have an adequate amount of space though it is quite small even when compared with other rivals.
The Tiggo 8 is the obvious winner here.
Technology and Safety
Both the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 aren’t behind when it comes to technology. The Tiggo 7 is equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Tiggo 8 on the other hand gets a slightly larger 10.25-inch touchscreen. The Tiggo 8’s infotainment only had QDLink and no Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but if we’re not mistaken, newer units already have the feature installed. For the driver’s instrument cluster, the Tiggo 7 gets traditional analog gauges with a 4.8-inch screen in the center while the Tiggo 8 gets a fully-digital 7-inch instrument cluster.
As for safety, both crossovers get the usual safety features found in most new vehicles. The Tiggo 8 in its base Lux trim does not get a 360-degree around-view monitor. It is standard on the EX. The Tiggo 7 does not get that feature.
While the Tiggo 7 does lack the 360-degree around-view monitor, the base Tiggo 8 does not have it as well. The infotainment system is also slightly better in the Tiggo 7 so both get another tie here.
Engine and Performance
This is where both crossovers will most probably get a tie, but they won’t. The Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8, regardless of variant, are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 145 horsepower and 210 Newton-meters of torque. Both are also paired to the same 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. It’s a tie when it comes to numbers but not exactly when it comes to performance.
Let’s start with weight. The Tiggo 7 weighs at 1440 kg while the Tiggo 8 at 1541 kg. The weight difference can definitely be felt as the Tiggo 7 is just quicker than the Tiggo 8. We did notice that there was a bit more lag in the Tiggo 7. In terms of fuel economy, the Tiggo 7 obviously beat the Tiggo 8 at 20 km/l on the highway versus 15 with the Tiggo 8. Same on city drives the Tiggo 7 got an average of 8-12 km/l while the Tiggo 8 also got a minimum of 8 km/l but maxed out at 10 km/l.
The Tiggo 7 wins when it comes to engine performance.
Pricing
Both crossovers are definitely full of value for money. The Tiggo 7 is priced at Php 1,195,000. The Tiggo 8 on the other hand starts at Php 1,280,000 with the top-spec Lux EX at Php 1,340,000. For its price, the Tiggo 7 already gives more than what you would expect while the Tiggo 8 already impresses. The Tiggo 7 won in performance and got tied with Tiggo 8 in some other categories. But for just a little more money, the Tiggo 8 already gives you additional 2 seats, more space, and more modern looks.
Both these crossovers, as with the entire Chery lineup in the Philippines also get a 5-year 100,000 general vehicle warranty as well as an industry leading 10-year 1-million kilometer powertrain warranty. They also come with a 3-year free preventive maintenance service package.
The Tiggo 8 is still the winner considering what you get for just a little price difference.
Conclusion
In the end, given that Chery is still on its way to establish itself as a player in the crossover segment, I cannot really say which among these two. They both get good looks, one sporty and another premium. They also both get comfortable interiors with lots of room, and modern tech. One may lack in one category but also makes up in another which puts the two in an overall tie.
So we cannot say that you should only get this one. Check them out yourselves and know what you need because the best for you will depend on what you’ll need. If you live solo or have a small family and plan to keep it that way then the Tiggo 7 is for you. If you have a bigger family or will need the extra space, then the Tiggo 8 is for you.
Specifications
| Chery Tiggo 7 1.5 DCT Comfort | Chery Tiggo 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Php 1,195,000 | Php 1,280,000 (Lux) Php 1,340,000 (Lux EX) |
Engine Specifications
| Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | 4 | 4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
Engine Performance
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Maximum Output | 145 hp @ 5,500 RPM | 145 hp @ 5,500 RPM |
| Maximum Torque | 210 Nm @ 1,750-4,400 RPM | 210 Nm @ 1,750-4,400 RPM |
| Transmission | 6-speed Dual-clutch | 6-speed Dual-clutch |
Vehicle Dimensions
| Dimensions (L x W x H) (mm) | 4,505 x 1,837 x 1,670 | 4,700 x 1,858 x 1,746 |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,710 mm |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 7 |
Wheels and Suspension
| Wheel Size | 18-inch Alloy | 18-inch Dark Alloy |
| Brakes (Front/Rear) | Ventilated Disc/Disc | Disc/Disc |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson | MacPherson |
| Rear Suspension | Multilink Independent | Multilink Independent |
Features
| Headlights | Xenon w/ LED DRL | Full-LED with LED DRL |
| Taillights | LED | LED |
| Seat Material | PVC Leather | PVC Leather |
| Smart Keyless Entry/Push-Start System | With | With |
| Infotainment System | 9-inch touchscreen | 10.25-inch touchscreen |
| Infotainment Connectivity | Apple CarPlay | QD Link |
| Sunroof | Panoramic | Without (Lux)Panoramic (Lux EX) |
