Published On: 14 Apr 2022Categories: Reviews

It’s making a bit of a splash locally. The new Tiggos are so vastly improved over the old ones that they are basically unrecognisable.

Take a look for yourself.

Chery launched their 2nd new model in SA just over a month ago and we were very impressed at the launch drive.

We’ve just had the chance of a full week with the newcomer to see if it lives up to that first impression.

The Tiggo8 Pro is a medium sized 7 seater SUV and is , typically, loaded to the gills with luxury spec especially in the range topping Executive model that we had on test. Let’s start with the mechanical side. It is owered by a 1.6L 4 cylinder turbo petrol engine delivering 145kW and 290Nm to the front wheels through a 7 speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

As we noted at the launch, the engine feels more like a 2L and certainly has more than enough power for cruising and overtaking when wanted. The automatic gearbox offers Eco, Normal and Sport modes at the click of a button and I left it in normal mode throughout the test. It is smooth during normal commuting and cruising but I noted that the shifts become a bit more harsh on quicker pull-off from robots or such. It is much smoother in more relaxed driving. Fuel economy for the week, mainly urban cruising with a fair amount of freeway driving but no open-road excursion left us at 9.7L/100km. Taking into account that the test car only has 3000km on the clock, I’m sure that this will improve as has been noted by many owners of Tiggo4 models. I’m also sure that long distance cruising will deliver far better consumption.

It is however in the addition of features where this car really excels. The large infotainment screen offers full connectivity plus the superb camera system that includes 360 degree views plus 3D viewing and positioning of the vehicle with both front and rear cameras. Plush quilted leather in 2 tone features throughout the cabin including the fascia. Air-conditioning controls and vents for middle row plus 3rd row seating, panoramic sunroof and safety systems including Forward Collision warning and Active Cruise Control among others add to the features list.

I did note that the headlights, on normal beam could do better perhaps with a more powerful lighting beam on roads without lighting, but high beam solved this issue. Some reviews have also complained about braking performance but I found the braking good with no issues of the pedal being too soft as some have found.

The middle row of seats can be moved fore and aft to allow for extra legroom for the 3rd row. Although ingress and egress to the 3rd row may be a bit cumbersome for adults, once ensconced there is plenty of legroom with the middle seats moved forward. Headroom is rather compromised but this will certainly still be a very comfortable place for younger/ smaller passengers. All the more so because they have their own air-con vents and control.

A feature that I noted at the launch is the rather strange view provided by the rear view mirror. It feels like you are looking through a tunnel with the rear of the car very far away, but fortunately the brilliant camera system makes up for this.

Overall, the Tiggo8 provides luxury transport for 5 with large boot or 7 with the boot compromised (as with all similar vehicles). As expected from Chery, the value proposition is unmatched with the pricing, as tested, at R546 900. If you are prepared to forego some luxuries, the Distinction model cuts R50 000 to R496 900. All models offer a 5 year/ 60 000km service plan and the 5 year/ 150 000km warranty that extends to 10 years/ 1 MILLION km for the first owner.

Alan Rosenmeyer

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