First Drive: Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max and Omoda C5 GT, and a glimpse at Jaecoo

First Drive: Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max and Omoda C5 GT, and a glimpse at Jaecoo

Chery South Africa has continued to capture the interest of South Africans over its first two years back in SA, and their recent launch has left us with a rather copious amount to talk about. So to start, let's touch on a more familiar name: the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max AWD.

Chery is a brand that takes the time to listen to its customers. This played a big role in the arrival of the AWD Tiggo 7. Chery doesn’t want to claim that this new drivetrain will turn their SUV into an offroader, but what we got to experience was improved grip and dynamics on the gravel and slippery road surfaces.

Along with the addition of the AWD system, Chery has also added a 7-speed DCT transmission to sharpen up gear changes and improve its vehicle's driving dynamics. Though it is a huge improvement, I do think it could use some further refinement, considering gear changes are inconsistent, particularly at 50% throttle pressure. Still, I really like this addition.

The Tiggo 7 Pro Max also received a power increase with a slightly larger 1.6-litre TGDI motor, producing 145kW and 290 Nm, 30kW and 60Nm more than the standard two-wheel-drive 1.5-litre TGDI Tiggo 7, allowing for a 0-100km/h time of 8 seconds. This power addition does add a more exciting element to driving the Tiggo and has enough power for most daily occurrences on the road. The fuel consumption remains a concern, with our number sitting just over the 10 litres/100km mark.

Some other additions to the Tiggo 7 Pro Max AWD include a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. This is two inches larger. There is now a 50W wireless charger compared to the former 15W charging capabilities, while it also received sportier seats, a new steering wheel, and an updated centre console. Furthermore, the exterior also received some further changes to refine the look, including a new grille and various exterior touches like subtle blue trimmings on the spoiler and different badges.

The Tiggo 7 Pro Max Executive AWD now retails for R609,900.

The next car on the list is the Omoda C5 GT. I was left wanting a little bit more from the C5 when I drove it for the first time earlier this year. There was a slight deficit in power, and the gearbox didn't quite meet expectations. Omoda appears to have fully resolved this issue with a new 7-speed DCT gearbox and 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. Yes, it is the same motor that’s in the new Chery Tiggo Pro Max AWD.

It's good for 145kW and 290Nm and a 0-100 time of 7.8 seconds. I must say I enjoyed the driving dynamics of the C5 GT. It's lively and more predictable than the standard C5. But there is a fairly prominent issue I have with an R10,000 optional extra, with emphasis on the ‘optional’. The GT provides the option for a body kit that includes a front splitter, side skirts, a rear diffuser, and a massive rear wing.

In my opinion, this body kit is wildly over the top, but Omoda has stated that the body kit was the product of a customer focus group where they wanted a more exciting experience. And surprisingly, out of the limited number that were made, they sold out in under two hours. This body kit is unique as it is only available in the SA market.

The GT option also comes with gold badges, interior and exterior trim, and optional gold wheels. Personally, the gold wheels are a bridge too far for my personal preferences, but they might tickle your fancy. The Omoda C5 GT is priced at R589,000, with the addition of the body kit that demands an additional R10,000.

As a last note on Omoda, the C9, a larger SUV with incredible presence, is due to arrive next year. It screams classy futurism with a sharper look and a bigger interior.

Arguably the biggest announcement from the Chery company is the arrival of its luxury brand, Jaecoo. It's the high-end brand from the Chery company, inspired by and developed with Jaguar Land Rover. It's a striking SUV with a strong presence and an executive look, with impressive interiors in both style and quality. JLR was part of this design and build, as the first two models to arrive are the J7 and J8. The J7 is a more adventurous vehicle with good ground clearance and a more rugged yet futuristic look, as it borrows some geometric forms from a popular JLR car.

The J8, which is more expensive, has six seats and enough cabin space to comfortably fit a family. The exterior is bold and eye-catching, with a striking waterfall grille and a boxy yet modern shape. Both models will be arriving next year, and I am itching to see them on the road.

With new brands rapidly appearing within the Chery portfolio, I feel that it is only right to inform you about the structure of the Chery brand. Chery will be a stand-alone brand with no real relation to Omoda or Jaecoo. Despite sharing parts and being run by the Chery business, Omoda and Jaecoo are more closely related and will share showroom space. Omoda portrays a younger, more futuristic, and technologically focused image, while Jaecoo provides a more outdoorsy and adventurous impression.

Although Omoda and Jaecoo share a heart with Chery, they will continue to have their own identities and brand images. Every brand will provide distinctive experiences and accommodate various consumer preferences. As for the future? Well, Chery has already performed wonders during its second inning in the SA market, but it remains to be seen if this brand separation will find the same favour with local car buyers.

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