The phrase "affordable luxury" has become a common buzzword in the automotive sector as Chinese car makers are rising to the challenge of offering buyers unrivalled value for money.
That said, consumers expect nothing less than a complete package of features and benefits as standard. From safety and performance to comfort and style, Chinese products often deliver on every facet without breaking the bank.
A fitting example is the flagship Tiggo 8 Pro Max from Chery, which has ushered the public towards a sporty Chinese flair following the launch of the regular Tiggo 8 Pro in February 2022.
It's been a success story for the brand since its relaunch into the local market in 2021, with about 20,000 Chery models finding homes across the country.
Speaking of the Tiggo 8 Pro Max, it was introduced before the end of 2022 as the flagship model in the Tiggo series that consists of the Tiggo 4 Pro, Tiggo 7 Pro, and Tiggo 8 Pro.
Subtle Refresh…
Roughly six months later, Chery is giving its Tiggo 8 Pro Max SUV a subtle makeover both inside and out. The last time I got acquainted with the facelifted SUV was in Wuhu, China in April of this year, and what a sight it was.
The Tiggo 8 Pro Max has always been a stunning vehicle that combines sporty etiquette with a range of standard features that one would pay a premium for in other marques of European origins.
Subtlety is the name of the game here, and unless you're a die-hard fan of the product, it'd take a few glances to spot the differences.
Upfront, a new grille incorporates an illuminated Chery logo that gives the SUV a modern touch. The LED Matrix headlights have been slightly tweaked and now feature more satiny daytime running light clusters.
It's when you move to the rear of the car that the changes become more apparent, thanks to completely redesigned light clusters that are linked by an LED light bar. This stylistic element has also become a trend among Chinese manufacturers.
In typical Max style, the SUV comes with four exhaust tips that add a sportier touch.
Overhauled Interior
Inside, the 7-seater boasts significant changes, and I commend Chery for addressing the concerns I had when I sampled the Tiggo 8 Pro in 2022.
For starters, the secondary screen for HVAC adjustments has been removed and it's been replaced by a set of haptic touch-sensitive buttons that are easier to control.
As the brand pushes towards digitisation, there are two 12.3-inch screens, one for the instrument cluster, while the other serves as an infotainment system with functions including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The interior is not short on style and with the new model, Chery has gone to extra lengths to make it even more premium, courtesy of soft-touch leather, wood grain patterns as well as silver finishing on various points of the interior.
Also new inside is the centre console, which is home to a new gear selector, cup holders, and a 50W wireless charging pad.
Chery has equipped the Tiggo 8 Pro Max to the brim with features such as a Sony sound system, ambient lighting, offline navigation, four USB ports, a panoramic sunroof, voice control and a 'boss button' which allows rear occupants to control the front passenger seat, all as standard.
Mechanically Unchanged
Mechanically, the Tiggo 8 Pro Max soldiers on unaltered. It still houses the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 187kW and 390Nm of torque sent to the front wheels via a 7-speed DCT transmission.
During our launch drive, we thoroughly tested the SUV's suspension on highways and scenic back routes in KwaZulu-Natal. The findings are that the suspension leans towards the firmer side, lacking sufficient damping for road imperfections. A softer setup would be more fitting for a family-oriented vehicle.
Power delivery is impressive with lively off-the-mark and overtaking acceleration accompanied by minimal noise intruding the cabin space.
On the safety side, the new Tiggo 8 Pro Max comes standard with a revised ADAS system that includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, an updated all-view monitor camera and lane keeping assistance as well as a DVR driver view recorder for the first time.
The updated ADAS also positions the Tiggo 8 Pro Max in the spheres of Level 2 autonomy.
It's worth mentioning, though, that I found the active safety systems such as lane-keep assist and front-collision assist to be overly intrusive at times. While the systems are effective, and overly so in some use cases, there's definitely some room for refinement.
Unfortunately, the Tiggo 8 Pro Max remains a thirsty cat even when driven with efficiency in mind. At the launch, I saw the fuel consumption figures hover around 10.9l/100km, which is considerably higher than the 7.6l/100km claimed by Chery.
A Big Step Up
Priced at R669,900, the new Tiggo 8 Pro Max may boast subtle changes when compared to the outgoing model but as far as first impressions go, it's a big step up and it'll find favour with local 7-seater mid-size SUV buyers.
At its price point, it's easy to forgive it for its flaws, and if the value offering of Chinese cars appeals to your inner accountant, it's worth looking at in its segment. It competes with rivals such as the VW Tiguan AllSpace, Proton X70, and Subaru Forester.
Pricing includes a 5-year/60,000km service plan, a 5-year/150,000km comprehensive mechanical warranty and a 7-year/90,000km service plan.
Chery also offers a 10-year/1,000,000km engine warranty for the first owner.
As a side note, the first 100 customers of the Tiggo 8 Pro Max will gain membership to The Max Club. This membership offers a host of exclusive lifestyle benefits as well as a 5-year My Chery Care package plus the opportunity to win one of three trips to China later this year.
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