Chery gunning for number one with the Tiggo 8 Pro Max

BY Motlatsi Kekana

The winds of change have been sweeping in the automotive industry with car manufacturers coming up with exciting new designs and affordable alternatives for consumers. The Chinese, in particular, have been very busy cementing themselves and their brands in South Africa. Chery is one of the many manufacturers who have cemented themselves in the hearts of South African consumers with their versatile products.

We recently got invited to Chery South Africa’s Tiggo 8 Pro Max launch in Durban where the brand showcased their newly updated model which was launched in late 2022. Chery has had a fascinating journey with the Tiggo 8 Pro Max, one memorable being a winner in the SA Car of the Year Awards 2023. From winner to being the Presidential car for BRICS. Thanks to its 20,000 customers nationwide, Chery is now quickly becoming a household name and proving that they are here to stay.

You may be wondering what Chery has updated in a model that was launched very recently, well there are plenty. The exterior has new and improved dark grey trims around the front grille which make the car aesthetically pleasing to the eye, has gone under some cosmetic interior updates as well which will undoubtedly, please a lot of its consumers. This gorgeous SUV is nicely shaped and stunningly designed in the same sizing categories as the VW Tiguan All-Space and the Mitsubishi Outlander. The interior is now equipped with efficient tech consisting of functions such as wireless Apple Car Play, Android Auto, and a wireless charging bay that has been increased to deliver faster charging. The car’s comfort levels are something to acknowledge, beautiful leather seats are electronically adjustable, and the Sony sound system gives super premium vibes to the car.

Now to the disappointing part, the drive. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission struggled with shifts, especially ascending and upon lift-off which landed my driving partner and I scared and stuck on the N3 with trucks because it was giving gearbox malfunction error messaging and couldn’t push through to the fifth gear. Now, I am hoping this was just our launch unit’s struggles because apart from that snag, the car had previously picked up speed and drove through the freeway with ease and impressive agility.

Because of its good looks and premium feel, tech, and notably great safety features such as lane-keep assist and airbag positioning, this offering has a lot to offer for its price point. Essentially you get a lot of car at an affordable price. Moms everywhere will love the space in the cabin and boot, Chery has a winning formula that might need work here and there when it comes to ride quality.