Earlier this year, we tested the flagship version of the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro; we were highly impressed with it, but could the more affordable Distinction derivative be the pick of the line-up?
We like: Myriad standard features, good build quality, seating comfort, value for money
We don’t like: Slightly stiff ride at low speeds, fuel economy
FAST FACTS
- Model: Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Distinction
- Price: R496 900 (November 2022)
- Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol
- Power/Torque: 145 kW/290 Nm
- Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
- Fuel consumption: 7.0 L/100 km (claimed)
- Luggage/Utility space: 193-892-1 930 litres
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There aren’t many 7-seater medium SUVs in our market, but of those, the Tiggo 8 Pro offers astonishing value for money.
Where does the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Distinction fit in?
Since its local introduction earlier this year, the Tiggo 8 Pro has become a strong seller for Chery; in fact, based on Naamsa’s monthly sales figures, the resurgent Chinese brand regularly features among the top 10 manufacturers in the South African new-vehicle market. As we mentioned in our review of the flagship Executive, the Tiggo 8 Pro is a deeply impressive product offered at a value-packed price point, so its sales success shouldn’t come as a surprise!
This Distinction derivative, in turn, is priced at just under R500 000 and, at first glance, it appears to offer astonishing value for buyers looking for an upmarket, well-specified medium SUV that can seat 7 occupants. An entry-level VW Tiguan Allspace is priced around R120 000 more (with fewer features), while a new rival – the Mahindra XUV700 – is available as a 7-seater from R524 999. We have yet to review the Indian contender, but it appears well-specced for the price.
There’s no cosmetic penalty if you choose the Distinction… it looks virtually identical to its top-rung Executive sibling.
How the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Distinction fares in terms of…
Design and Packaging
When this test unit arrived at our office, we were hard-pressed to spot the differences between it and the flagship Executive. The Distinction still rides on neat, dual-tone 18-inch wheels, has LED-infused head- and taillamps (that “glow” when you approach the car with the key in your pocket) and the test unit’s dark metallic grey paintwork looked pristine. From the outside, the only real difference is that the pricier Executive has a panoramic sunroof – the Distinction doesn’t.
The tech-laden cabin of the Tiggo 8 Pro Distinction is characterised by elegant black trim with high-quality finishes.
The differences between the derivatives are (slightly) more apparent inside. Whereas the Executive has smart light brown, diamond-stitched (artificial) leather, the Distinction has black trim. By “faux hide” standards, the material used in the Tiggo 8 Pro feels particularly smart. The derivatives’ fascia designs are almost identical, but the fiddly secondary touchscreen of the higher-priced Executive is replaced with a non-touch screen to display HVAC settings. We prefer this setup!
The seats are superbly comfortable, especially the headrests. When seated behind the Chery’s multifunction steering wheel, you should find it easy to find a satisfying driving position, because the steering column offers a wide range of adjustment (both rake and reach). What’s more, the driver’s seat is electrically adjustable, but bear in mind that the Distinction derivative lacks the toggle for lumbar support, which is standard on the Executive.
The fascia’s secondary digital screen only displays info (it does not support touch inputs), but we prefer it that way.
Move to the 2nd row and you can adjust your legroom to either maximise your own stretch-out space or to give the 3rd-row occupants (who’d be seated directly behind you) a little more legroom. Second-row passengers can also adjust their backrest angles, but we found the Tiggo 8 Pro’s cabin a tad narrow for seating adults 3-abreast. It is worth noting that the width of the Chery’s cabin is narrower than that of the new Mahindra XUV700, for example.
Finally, as far as the 3rd row is concerned (accessing it is easy enough – just pull a lever to tilt/slide a 2nd-row seat forward), the Tiggo 8 Pro offers sufficient space for kids (or smaller adults, on shorter trips). A 1.8-metre-tall person’s head will touch the roof lining at the back and, if an occupant of that height needs to be accommodated in comfort, the 2nd row will have to be moved forward by quite a large distance. Still, the Chery’s no worse than its competitors in that regard…
Second-row occupants have plenty of legroom, but they may have to sacrifice some of that for the sake of rearmost passengers’ comfort.
Performance and Efficiency
The Tiggo 8 Pro Distinction is powered by the same 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine that propels the flagship Executive derivative. It should come as no surprise, then, that the former has identical claimed performance and fuel economy figures to the latter. On paper, the Chery’s engine delivers healthy outputs of 145 kW and 290 kW, particularly when compared with the peak numbers of the Tiguan Allspace’s 1.4-litre turbopetrol mill (110 kW and 250 Nm). However, the new Mahindra XUV700’s 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol powerplant delivers both more power and torque (149 kW and 380 Nm).
The Chery’s engine is mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which drives the vehicle’s front wheels. Chery claims a 0-100 kph time of 8.9 sec, which seems optimistic, but then again, the throttle- and shift-pattern mapping is such that the Tiggo 8 Pro (which is lighter than both aforementioned rivals) feels quite sprightly off the mark. There are, of course, Eco and Sport modes should you wish to tune the car to suit on-road conditions – or your diving style.
When the Eco drive mode is engaged, the digital instrument cluster adopts a green display scheme, but the numbers don’t lie.
While performance around town is generally very good – and the Tiggo 8 Pro is a fine cruiser – the engine’s relative lack of power is noticeable when you need to exact overtaking acceleration at – or near – the national speed limit (particularly when the vehicle is fully laden with passengers and their goods/luggage).
What’s more, we found that the Distinction’s fuel consumption was on the high side – a characteristic that it shares with several contemporary Chinese vehicles. However, owners of this model have recounted that, after a period of running in the engine, its thirst becomes less intense. For what it’s worth, our average was around 9.5 L/100 km, which translated to 10.5 km/L and a range of around 540 km, because the tank is relatively small (51 litres).
The Distinction’s surround-view camera system takes a lot of stress out of executing parking manoeuvres in tight spaces.
Comfort and Features
Given the not-insignificant price difference of around R80 000 between the two Tiggo 8 Pro derivatives, you may expect the Distinction to lack some vital features, but it’s anything but a de-specced (or bare-bones) offering… The Tiggo 8 Pro Distinction’s cabin is very premium looking (and feeling) and the fascia boasts a fully digital instrument cluster with neat graphics, as well as a touch-sensitive infotainment screen that is positively laced with apps/features.
Apart from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, which is standard, the Tiggo 8 Pro has a pair of USB outlets in the front of the cabin, with another one provided for 2nd-row passengers. The Distinction further features dual-zone climate control, an upmarket Sony audio system, the Executive model’s excellent 2D/3D comprehensive camera system, as well as a power-operated tailgate.
The touchscreen infotainment system offers many features, as well as a host of connectivity options.
Okay, so how has Chery managed to make the Distinction so much more affordable? The key difference is in the active safety features package. The Distinction has cruise control, but it’s not adaptive, plus you also have to forego high-beam assist, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring and so on. Still, it is by no means poorly equipped on the safety front: it has the same number of airbags (6) and ESP is standard, as are ISOfix child seat mounts.
As opposed to the flagship Executive derivative, the Distinction has a non-adaptive cruise control setup.
As mentioned in our review of the Executive, the Tiggo 8 Pro is a relatively firm-riding vehicle and, in our opinion, the suspension’s perhaps a trifle too stiff. On poor surfaces, the ride can feel unsettled, but, as is to be expected, it does improve at speed and when the Chery’s laden with passengers and/or cargo. On the plus side, the firmness makes the Tiggo 8 Pro feel quite poised in the corners, with stable body control and nicely weighted steering imparting a feeling of safety.
The Tiggo 8 Pro Distinction’s ride quality is less than plush, but at least the derivative offers confidence-inspiring handling.
Price and After-Sales Support
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Distinction is priced at R496 900 (November 2022) and, to reiterate, there are no option boxes to tick. The warranty (5-year/150 000 km) is excellent, and don’t forget about Chery’s now well-publicised 10-year/1 000 000 km engine warranty (provided you’re the 1st owner and the car has always been serviced by Chery). The service plan itself is a little disappointing – it only covers the first 5 years or 60 000 km (the latter being more likely).
Verdict
If you don’t mind the absence of that extra layer of safety tech that the Executive offers, the Tiggo 8 Pro Distinction is an even better value-for-money offering than its pricier sibling. At under R500 000, it offers a seemingly unbeatable combination of practicality, luxury and family appeal. The new Mahindra XUV700 appears to be a serious new rival though, and it will be interesting to see how the newcomer from India stacks up against this Chery. Watch this space.
