With the Tiggo X7, Chery will offer the compact hybrid Land Cruiser that Toyota lacks

The Chinese market is filled with large SUVs, sometimes only in appearance. Chery is entering this segment with its new Tiggo X series. Good news is that, for once, the vehicle’s dimensions aren’t exaggerated.

In China and elsewhere around the world, some SUVs enhance their appearance to emphasize their place in the off-road world. Chery already offers such models under its Jetour brand. Yet it still decides to launch a completely new series called Tiggo X, starting with the X7.

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With the Tiggo X7, one can look for influences from well-known models in this market segment, such as the Defender, Bronco, or Land Cruiser — especially from the latest generation of the latter. Nevertheless, Chery has remained relatively modest in terms of size, which is quite rare among Chinese automakers. After all, this X7 is primarily aimed at international markets rather than China. It measures 4.64 meters in length but still 1.97 meters in width. Ouch!

Designed for families, this new hybrid or plug-in hybrid SUV will offer a cabin focused on comfort: air quality, acoustic performance, seats, and more. Chery also mentions a customizable trunk for outdoor family activities. It emphasizes safety as well, particularly through a system that maintains control in the event of a tire blowout at speeds between 40 and 140 km/h.

All of this is certainly appealing, but it’s important to note that the off-road capability of the Tiggo X7 isn’t just about appearance. Available with two or four-wheel drive, it comes equipped with driving modes suited for off-road use, as well as a speed control system when crossing obstacles. The manufacturer claims it can navigate trenches up to 700 mm deep. While this won’t make it a rival to the Jeep Wrangler or Suzuki Jimny, that’s not its intended purpose either.