Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV: The Hybrid SUV That Makes You Smile

SUVs are usually about as exciting as a boiled potato — practical, reliable, and utterly forgettable. Then along comes the Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV. At first glance, it looks sensible, modern, and polite. Step on the accelerator, glance at the tech, or even just notice the panoramic sunroof, and you realize this isn’t your usual SUV. It’s a hybrid that wants to have fun.

Launched in Malaysia alongside the Tiggo 8 PHEV, it starts from RM129,800, and yes, it’s locally assembled in Kulim, Kedah.

Looks: Stylish Without Screaming

At 4,553 mm long and 1,862 mm wide, with a 2,670 mm wheelbase, it looks confident. Not show-off confident, just “I could outrun your hatchback if I wanted to” confident.

• LED headlamps, DRLs, sequential indicators, LED tail lamps
• Hands-free powered tailgate
• 18-inch alloys with chunky 255/60R18 tyres
• 500 mm wading depth — probably useless, but still makes you feel adventurous

It’s sleek and modern, and it doesn’t try too hard. That’s a rare thing these days.

Powertrain: Yes, It Can Bite

Under the bonnet, the Tiggo 7 PHEV packs a 1.5L TGDi turbo petrol engine paired with a Multi-Mode Hybrid System. Translation: it’s a hybrid, but it’s not boring:

• 143 PS / 215 Nm from the petrol engine (acts mainly as a range extender)
• 204 PS / 310 Nm from the electric motor
• Combined: 279 PS / 365 Nm to the front wheels
• Transmission: single-speed dedicated hybrid (DHT)

The 18.3 kWh battery allows 90 km of silent EV driving, while the total range hits 1,200 km, which means you could almost drive to Bangkok without thinking about charging. Fast DC charging fills 30–80% in 19 minutes. AC? Three hours. V2L? You can power your blender or a small camping stove.

Compared to the petrol-only Tiggo 7 Pro with its 1.6L engine, this hybrid is just… clever.

Interior & Tech: Fancy, Without Pretension

Step inside and it’s a small tech wonderland:

• Panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with light — great for selfies, or just staring at clouds.
• 24.6-inch dual-screen setup (two 12.3-inch panels)
• Wired & wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
• Sony 8-speaker premium audio and voice assistant
• USB-C & USB-A ports, 50W wireless charger, multiple 12V outlets
• Synthetic leather seats with heating/ventilation; driver six-way, passenger four-way adjustable
• Extras: cooled console, acoustic double-glass, rear AC vents, remote start

It’s comfortable, practical, and — surprisingly — a bit fun.

Safety: Insanely Loaded

If you like being alive, you’ll love this. The Tiggo 7 PHEV has 8 airbags and almost every safety gizmo you can imagine:

• Lane Departure Warning/Prevention, Lane Keeping, Lane Change Assist, Emergency Lane Keeping
• Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert & Braking, Front & Rear Collision Warning
• Adaptive & Integrated Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist, Door Opening Warning
• Speed Limit Reminder, Intelligent Headlights, Driver Monitoring, Drive-Away Info
• Multi-Collision Braking, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Intelligent Avoidance System

Plus the usual traction, stability, hill start/descent controls, tyre pressure monitoring, and a digital video recorder. Basically, it’s a tank in disguise as a family SUV.

Practicality & Ownership

• Fuel tank: 60 litres
• Warranty: 7 years / 150,000 km, plus 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty
• Battery exchange policy if health drops below 70%
• Colors: Phantom Grey, Khaki White, Blood Stone Red (black roof +RM2,000)
• Free five-year service package with six service intervals

It’s sensible, but in a clever, slightly cheeky way.

Verdict

The Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV is clever, practical, fun, and — dare I say — a little smug. On the outside, it’s calm and polite. On the inside, it’s a hybrid powerhouse with 279 PS, 365 Nm, panoramic sunroof, and every safety system you didn’t know you needed.

It’s the SUV equivalent of a quietly brilliant kid at school: polite, unassuming, but utterly capable of beating everyone at sports day — and laughing while doing it.

Score: 8/10 — Because it’s efficient, loaded with tech, surprisingly thrilling, and ridiculously safe.