Last April, at the Manila International Auto Show, Chery Auto Philippines unveiled a couple of new electrified variants of its two popular crossovers. However, no price was announced that time, which kept car buyers hanging.
But with hybrids and EVs now becoming buzzwords in the industry, it was about time that Chery added another hybrid to its lineup. And so, it is now making the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid available with an official price of ₱1,350,000. With that price comes a new 48-volt mild hybrid system for improved performance and fuel economy.
Now, if you’re wondering where the Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid stands among the multitude of crossovers in the market today, think compact crossover dimensions. This is where the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4, the Subaru Forester, and other similar models reside. At 4,500 mm long, it’s just 75mm or three inches shorter than a Mazda CX-5.
As a five-seater, it does the job of hauling a small family well. And while it doesn’t have an extra third row, it more than makes up for this with its total 1,500-liter cargo space inside the cabin with the rear seats folded flat.
Large amounts of PVC leather wrap the powered front seats and 60:40-split rears and cabin surfaces inside. The well-finished space is just right to make time spent inside the Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid comfortable and relaxing. And to further soothe your senses, it is equipped with Multicolor Ambient Light to accentuate the dark elegant interiors.
Of course, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid comes with a Panoramic Sunroof, something Chery has been including across its model lineup. And for the safety of second-row passengers, it also has Privacy Glass in the rear windows, which doubles as a tint to keep the heat of the sun’s rays out. Undoubtedly also helping the Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid’s dual-zone Auto Climate Control air conditioning.
The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid has a 10.25-inch LCD touchscreen display for entertainment. It pumps out sound through six speakers inside the cabin. The same screen displays the video feed from the crossover’s 360-degree HD cameras. And with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and QDLink to connect a wirelessly charging mobile phone to the system, the family can enjoy long drives while staying connected online.
For the driver, a configurable 12.3-inch LCD shows the speed and status of the vehicle’s systems. Like the one in the Tiggo 8 Pro, the display is crisp and easy to read with its animation and colors.
But the real news here is the Mild Hybrid setup underneath the hood. The system works by recovering the kinetic energy generated when braking. It then stores this in a 48-volt battery which will be used to “assist” the engine as needed while driving.
The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid still sports a turbocharged 1.5-liter mill because the powertrain’s alternator has been replaced by a Belt Starter Generator, the total power produced is now 156 hp ( up from 145 hp from the non-hybrid) with torque up by 20 Nm to 230Nm. This pull comes in as early as 1,750 rpm.
According to Chery, the system can detect when it should run economically or when performance is needed. It analyzes the driving style of the person behind the wheel, and using its preset algorithm, it can optimize power delivery and efficiency through its nine-speed CVT to the front wheels.
Chery also says the Mild Hybrid system in the Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid can deliver a 14-percent reduction in CO2 emissions while saving up to 13-percent in fuel consumption. The engine start-stop system undoubtedly contributes to this improvement, as well.
With its clean and confident looks, well-appointed feature set, improved performance, and head-turning price, the 2024 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid is another model car buyers must consider as they search for value-laden propositions in the market today. It will likely be a model that can add to Chery’s milestone sales report of 323 units sold in May. The Tiggo 7 Pro line is one of the two main drivers, along with the Tiggo 5x, that gave Chery Auto Philippines its 51-percent sales increase from the month of April.
Green mobility is becoming an in-thing nowadays. It doesn’t hurt to make it a practical proposition, as well.
