The mid-size SUV market is arguably one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds in the automotive world, and Chery is doubling down on its offensive. The brand has just pulled the covers off its latest contender, the MY26 Tiggo 7, in Australia, signalling a significant evolution for the popular model. Packing a bold new design, a tech-laden interior, and a value proposition that’s hard to ignore, it looks set to make some serious waves. While this is an Australian debut, we Kiwis know that what happens across the ditch is often a precursor to what we can expect on our shores.
First impressions count, and the MY26 Tiggo 7 seems to have spent some time at the tailor. Chery has refined the exterior with a sharper, more premium look. The front end is dominated by slender new LED headlamp clusters that give it a stylish and purposeful road presence, while the rear features integrated taillights that further enhance the upmarket feel. It’s a confident design that moves away from being just another face in the crowd and into territory that could genuinely turn heads in the school pick-up line or the supermarket car park.
Step inside, and the focus on technology and premium appointments becomes immediately clear. The centerpiece is a stunning twin-screen digital dash, featuring two 12.3-inch displays for the driver’s instruments and the central infotainment system. This setup creates a spacious and contemporary cabin environment. Crucially, it supports both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, complemented by a wireless device charger, meaning fewer cables and less clutter.
Chery will offer two specification levels in Australia, the Urban and the Ultimate, a strategy we’d expect to see mirrored in New Zealand.
The Urban model kicks things off with an impressive list of standard kit, including 18-inch alloy wheels, the full twin-screen display, a six-speaker sound system, intelligent voice commands, and dual-zone climate control.
Stepping up to the Ultimate model, adds a host of luxury features. These include a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated synthetic leather front seats, multi-colour ambient lighting, a 360-degree camera, a powerful 50W wireless charger, and a powered tailgate.
Under the bonnet, the MY26 Tiggo 7 is powered by a 1.5L turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). It produces a respectable 108kW of power and 210Nm of torque, figures well-suited for the daily grind and weekend getaways. Perhaps more importantly, Chery has improved efficiency, with the new model achieving a combined fuel consumption of 6.9L/100km, which will be welcome news for Kiwi drivers watching their fuel budget.
Safety is a non-negotiable for family buyers, and Chery has loaded the Tiggo 7 with a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety systems. It includes seven airbags (front, front side, centre, and side curtain) and a host of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This tech includes essentials like adaptive cruise control (ACC), autonomous emergency braking (AEB), and lane keeping assistance (LKA), providing an extra layer of security on the road.
Reinforcing this is Chery’s industry-leading ownership package. The vehicle is backed by a 7-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which also includes 7 years of capped-price servicing and up to 7 years of roadside assistance. This level of after-sales support is a massive confidence booster and a core part of the brand’s appeal.As Lucas Harris, COO of Chery Australia, puts it, the MY26 Tiggo 7 “combines modern design, innovative technology, and exceptional value – a formula that resonates strongly with Australian families and urban drivers alike”.
The Tiggo 7 presents a compelling case on paper. It appears to offer the tech, style, and safety of its rivals for a fraction of the cost. We’ll be watching closely for news of its New Zealand arrival and are eager to get behind the wheel to see if the drive lives up to the promise.
Here’s how we found the current model:
