The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro recently went on sale in South Africa with a starting price of R409,900.
Chery’s latest SUV is a mid-range offering from the Chinese brand, in terms of size.
For a similar price of R416,999, local car buyers also have the option to purchase the Mahindra XUV500.
We compare these entry-level SUVs to see which one offers more for its asking price.
Features
Starting off with the interior, the Tiggo 7 Pro immediately distinguishes itself with its three individual screens.
This includes a 7-inch driver’s display, an 8-inch touchscreen for the dual-zone climate control, and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen.
The centre screen can display the rearview camera, use voice commands, and let users connect to Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, which plays through a six-speaker sound system.
Added to the standard spec are a multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, automatic matrix LED headlights with follow-me-home functionality, folding and heated side mirrors, a stop-start system, a wireless charging tray, cooled centre storage, an ambient lighting suite, and three driving modes – standard, eco, and sport.
The car’s seats are upholstered in artificial leather, too, and the driver’s seat allows for six-way electronic adjustment
Finally, its safety offerings comprise four airbags, a tyre-monitoring system, emergency brake assistance, hill-start assist, hill descent control, rear parking sensors, rear traffic alert, and blind-spot detection.
As far as exterior features are concerned, the Tiggo 7 sports LED daytime running lights, foglights, illuminated door thresholds, roof rails, a tailgate spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Moving on to the Mahindra, the biggest differentiator between the Tiggo 7 and the XUV500 is that the latter has seven seats, while the former has five.
The XUV500’s seats are covered in fabric upholstery, and the second and third-row seats can be folded flat for extra storage space.
Interior comforts continue with a 6-inch infotainment display with Bluetooth support and voice command, a six-speaker sound system, a multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, ambient lighting, and climate control.
Furthermore, the driver’s seat includes manual lumbar support, and rain-sensing wipers and light-sensing projector headlamps, which also include follow-me-home abilities, are standard.
Two airbags, hill hold and hill descent control, and rear park distance control then round off the safety systems for this SUV.
Around the exterior, this Mahindra incorporates LED daytime running lights, foglights, electric side mirrors, chrome scuff plates, roof rails, twin exhausts, a chrome-lined grille and tailgate, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Despite the two extra seats, the Tiggo and XUV are also roughly the same size, with the latter only being 85mm longer.
Engine
The Tiggo 7 Pro is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, which is turbocharged to deliver 108kW and 210Nm.
This, in conjunction with a CVT transmission that turns the front wheels only, results in a combined fuel consumption rating of 6.8l/100km.
The XUV500, meanwhile, uses a 2.2 turbo-diesel engine generating 103kW and 330Nm connected to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
This provides the front-wheel-drive Mahindra with a higher combined fuel consumption of 7.4l/100km.
Pricing
The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Distinctive has a South African starting price of R409,900.
This includes a 5-year/150,000km general mechanical warranty, 5-year/60,000km service plan, 5-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance plan, and a 10-year/1-million kilometre engine warranty.
The Mahindra XUV500 2.2CRDe W6 has a South African starting price of R416,999.
Also included are a 5-year/150,000km warranty and 5-year/110,000km service plan.
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro
Mahindra XUV500
Keyword: Chery Tiggo 7 Pro vs Mahindra XUV500 – Entry-level SUV side-by-side