The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max crossover can rightfully be considered one of the most popular Chinese cars on our market. It’s competing with another Chinese crossover, the Haval Jolion, for the top spot with varying sales success, sometimes overtaking its competitor, sometimes falling slightly behind. However, considering all generations of the Tiggo 7 Pro and 7 Pro Max, which first went on sale in our country in 2020, the cumulative total of these cars on Russian roads is 112,605. The model’s popularity stems from its well-balanced combination of quality, capabilities, and price. Furthermore, the Chery brand itself is well-known among buyers, having been present in our market for 18 years. The growth in sales of the model from year to year is clearly evident in the diagram by the Avtostat agency.
The history of the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max in Russia began with the Tiggo 7 Pro model, presented in 2020, which was already recognized as the best-selling model of the Chinese brand in 2021. An updated model was launched that same year, followed by a slight lull, which was interrupted at the end of 2022 when the 7 Pro was replaced by a restyled 7 Pro Max. At the beginning of 2024, a new 1.6T engine and all-wheel drive version was introduced, and now, in July, an updated family model is entering the market.
The new model was unveiled on June 29 at Palace Square in St. Petersburg, just before the start of the “White Nights” marathon, for which the Chery automobile brand has been a partner for the second year in a row.
It’s easy to recognize the new Tiggo 7 Pro Max by its exterior. It boasts an updated bumper borrowed from the hybrid model in the family. This gives the car an interesting look, although the daytime running lights have become a point of contention. Now located horizontally and positioned at the lowest point of the body, they will quickly become dirty in winter. The car also features a subtle but original pattern on the rear windows near the pillars. The roof rails are painted black, the brake calipers are red, and the Chery lettering on the trunk door has been moved from the body to under the glass, next to the LED strip that connects the lights. Finally, the model is equipped with new designs for 18-inch and 19-inch wheels. The manufacturer’s changes have genuinely transformed the crossover, while maintaining continuity with the previous model. Most of the body parts, which are fully interchangeable, have been retained. The car will be available in six color options, with blue (which is actually a light blue) and red being particularly vibrant. The latter color, as well as white, will also be offered with a contrasting black roof.
The interior of the updated Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max has undergone even more significant changes. The architecture of the front panel, central tunnel, and door panels has been completely redesigned. The manufacturer has adopted the styling of the older 8 Pro Max model, unifying the design aesthetic. In addition to the black interior, there is now a brown option, providing a fresh look. Two 12.3-inch displays with HD resolution are now housed in a curved enclosure, positioning the right screen slightly toward the driver for optimal convenience. The older touch control unit for dual-zone climate control has been eliminated, replaced by touch keys, mounted on a long bar below the displays. While physical buttons would have been preferable, the overall implementation is not bad, particularly as the climate control system excels in automatic mode, requiring no adjustments—a benefit tested in the 30-degree heat of St. Petersburg.
The manufacturer has relocated the smartphone platform with wireless 15 W charging from the armrest to the central console, making it much more convenient. Adjacent to the charger are two USB ports: a primary USB-A and an additional Type-C port. The low automatic transmission joystick now features a crystal design, showcasing a tiger’s head within. This is particularly significant as the Tiggo model is often equated with a tiger for many owners. The cabin now boasts more interesting and subtle atmospheric lighting.
Visually, the front seats remain unchanged, but they feel slightly wider with more prominent lateral support. Additionally, the seat cushions have been slightly extended. In the top-tier configurations, the seats feature electric adjustment, the driver’s seat includes memory function, and adjustable lumbar support in two planes. Furthermore, both heating and ventilation are available for the front seats, the latter being highly beneficial in hot weather. However, to activate these options, you must access the climate settings; there are no separate buttons.
Despite the fact that the updated Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max is built on the same T1X platform as its predecessor and the suspension utilizes a similar configuration—MacPherson struts in the front, multi-link in the rear—the manufacturer has refined the settings. The car is now slightly softer, effectively absorbing most bumps and absorbing larger ones more smoothly, minimizing passenger disturbance. Noise insulation has also improved, and all-wheel drive cars have received acoustic windshields and front windows. However, a significant weakness emerges from the poorly insulated wheel arches. This results in a monotonous road noise on highways, creating the primary source of discomfort. The front-wheel drive car is even noisier, as it uses Atlas tires, while the all-wheel drive version utilizes Coopers, leading to a slight improvement in sound dampening.
sport a black and red color scheme, respectively. The “Chery” lettering on the trunk door has been repositioned from the body to the glass, adjacent to the LED strip that unites the taillights. The crossover also boasts redesigned 18-inch and 19-inch wheels, adding to its visual appeal.
The Tiggo 7 Pro Max is available in six color options, including eye-catching blue (a light blue shade) and red. The red option, along with white, is available in a two-tone version with a contrasting black roof.
A Transformed Interior
The changes inside the updated Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max are even more substantial. The manufacturer completely redesigned the dashboard, center console, and door panels, drawing inspiration from the design of the 8 Pro Max model to maintain a consistent design language across the Chery lineup. Alongside the traditional black interior, the car now offers a fresh brown color scheme. A pair of 12.3-inch displays with HD resolution are now seamlessly integrated into a curved box, with the right screen thoughtfully angled towards the driver. The old touch control unit for dual-zone climate control has been eliminated, replaced by touch keys placed on a long bar beneath the displays. While physical buttons might have been a preferable choice, the overall layout works well, especially since the climate control system operates flawlessly in automatic mode.
The manufacturer relocated the wireless 15W smartphone platform to the center console from the armrest, resulting in a more convenient placement. Next to the charger, you’ll find two USB ports: a standard USB-A port and a Type-C port. The low-set automatic transmission joystick has been reimagined into a crystal-like design, featuring a tiger’s head inside – a fitting homage for the Tiggo model, often associated with the tiger. The cabin boasts a refined and captivating new ambient lighting system.
Comfort and Functionality in Focus
Visually, the front seats remain unchanged but offer a wider feel, enhanced lateral support, and slightly extended seat cushions. Top-tier trims feature electric seats, with the driver’s seat also incorporating position memory and adjustable lumbar support in two planes. Both front seats offer heating and ventilation, providing a welcome respite from the heat. However, activating these features requires navigating the climate control settings as there are no dedicated buttons.
Enhanced Driving Dynamics
While the updated Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max retains the T1X platform and suspension design of its predecessor (MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear), the manufacturer has refined the settings. The car now delivers a softer ride, effectively absorbing bumps and smoothening out larger undulations with greater comfort for passengers. The noise insulation has also been improved, with all-wheel drive models featuring acoustic windshields and front windows. However, a slight shortcoming is the lack of adequate insulation in the wheel arches, which can lead to persistent road noise on highways. The front-wheel drive model is notably noisier due to the use of Atlas tires, compared to the all-wheel drive models’ quieter Coopers.
Powertrain: A Dynamic Duo
The 1.5-liter engine has been discontinued, leaving the choice between front and all-wheel drive models with a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 150 hp. This engine is paired with a seven-speed robotic DCT7 gearbox featuring two wet clutches. The engine and gearbox pairing is known for its well-tuned operation, ensuring confident performance on both highways and city streets. During active acceleration, the gearbox may take a brief moment to downshift, but the robot operates smoothly without jolts in city traffic.
Unfolding the All-Wheel Drive Potential
The front-wheel drive model offers three driving modes: “Eco,” “Comfort,” and “Sport.” The all-wheel drive version expands this to six modes: “Eco,” “Comfort,” “Sport,” “Snow,” “Dirt,” and “4×4.” The all-wheel drive system in the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max is entirely electronically controlled, though the manufacturer still has room for improvement here. On challenging terrains, the computer takes a noticeable pause to redistribute torque, leading to a slight hesitation in forward movement. Nevertheless, the all-wheel drive system is a welcome addition, enhancing the car’s versatility, despite its crossover classification. While the ground clearance of 190 mm is notable, it’s not designed for extreme off-roading.
The crossover confidently navigates city streets and highways, thanks in part to its well-tuned adaptive cruise control, complemented by lane control, lane keep assist, and a blind spot monitoring system. The cruise control’s benefits extend to slow-moving traffic jams, though it occasionally exhibits a lag in detecting cars merging into its lane. When parking, a 360-degree camera with excellent image quality and active markings comes to the rescue. Furthermore, the car features support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay protocols, enabling seamless integration with smartphone systems, as well as built-in navigation.
Trim Levels and Pricing
The updated Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max is available in six trim levels: three for front-wheel drive models and three for all-wheel drive models. Prices start at 2,770,000 rubles, with the top-of-the-line all-wheel drive trim, now simply known as Ultra, priced at 3,320,000 rubles. Taking advantage of the manufacturer’s ongoing promotions, buyers can save 100,000 rubles on front-wheel drive models and 200,000 rubles on all-wheel drive versions.
