Chery Malaysia launched its latest plug-in hybrid SUV model, the Tiggo 7 PHEV, two months ago, with a starting price of RM129,800.
This makes the Tiggo 7 PHEV a highly worthwhile option to consider, especially for those affected by the implementation of the Budi95 subsidy and who do not want to make an electric vehicle (EV) their primary mode of transport.
On paper, the Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo engine (143 PS/215 Nm) paired with an electric motor (204 PS/310 Nm), yielding a total power output of 279 PS and 365 Nm.
With an 18.3 kWh battery pack (electric range of 90 km) and a 60-liter fuel tank, the Tiggo 7 PHEV can achieve a travel distance of up to 1,200 km.
The question now is: Can the Tiggo 7 PHEV reach the claimed distance?
Recently, Chery Malaysia organized a media test drive session called the Endless Horizon Challenge.
The challenge was straightforward: prove that the Tiggo 7 PHEV can achieve a driving range of 1,200 km without refueling or recharging the battery.
To avoid any cheating, both the fuel tank cap and the charging port were sealed with stickers, and we had to rely solely on what was provided from the starting line.
Day One: Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu
Our journey began at Bamboo Hills with a full 60-liter fuel tank and a 100 percent battery.
While the meter reading showed a driving distance of 862 km, it was enough to make any driver feel nervous. “Can this SUV really reach 1,200 km?”
Driving through the morning traffic congestion in Kuala Lumpur was not a significant challenge.
This was due to the Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) system, which intelligently adjusted its operations based on the throttle input from the driver’s right foot.
For most of the time, it relied solely on the electric motor, with the engine engaging only when necessary, especially when climbing steep roads on the KL-Karak Highway.
In Tandem mode, drivers hardly noticed when the engine was activated, thanks to its smooth operation that did not transmit any vibrations to passengers in the cabin.
Once we entered the East Coast area, rain began to fall, necessitating a slower driving speed—this was not an issue since we were committed to achieving the 1,200 km challenge.
The spacious cabin felt comfortable, with ample legroom and headroom, which helped reduce fatigue during long journeys.
We arrived in Kuala Terengganu shortly after 8 PM, having covered a total distance of approximately 471 km, leaving us with about 721 km remaining.
The fuel consumption rate recorded was 3.5 liters per 100 km.
Day Two: Kuala Terengganu to Royal Belum to Penang
The rain that had been falling since midnight made the second day appear more challenging.
We started from the Raia Hotel in Kuala Terengganu in heavy rain, leading to a lower average speed compared to the previous day.
Additionally, we had to navigate normal road conditions with varying quality asphalt and some areas that were flooded.
However, this was not a major problem as the Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV is capable of traversing water up to 500 mm deep.
A greater challenge awaited us on the East-West Highway, which is typically associated with large trucks and wild animals.
While navigating uphill roads with countless bends, we noticed that the fuel meter reading dropped at a quicker rate than usual.
Due to the still wet road conditions, we drove the Tiggo 7 PHEV more cautiously to avoid any unwanted incidents.
Upon reaching the Titiwangsa Rest Area in Gerik, Perak, the fuel meter indicated we had only 470 km of range left.
This was enough to raise our concerns as there was still a long distance to cover.
However, the advantages of the CSH system became apparent when the Tiggo 7 PHEV began descending hills, allowing the system to recharge the battery through regenerative braking.
We used the lowest brake setting to ensure smoother driving.
After lunch at Royal Belum, we continued our journey towards Penang, needing to take an alternative route due to a flooded road before arriving at Sungai Petani.
After covering 433 km, we arrived at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with the fuel meter indicating 368 km remaining.
Throughout this East-West route, we noticed one thing: the Tiggo 7 PHEV offers significantly better handling and driving dynamics compared to ICE models.
We took the opportunity to inquire about this, and Chery Malaysia confirmed that specific tuning had been applied by the local R&D unit to enhance handling and make the driving experience more comfortable.
We will provide further insights on this if given the opportunity.
Day Three: Penang to Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur
The final day arrived for us to complete the 1,200 km mission without needing to refuel or recharge the battery.
From our overnight stay in Penang, we continued towards Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, traversing the North-South Highway.
Besides the usual traffic congestion around the Menora Tunnel, the rain throughout the journey from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur ‘forced’ us to drive more cautiously at a moderate speed.
All this was to ensure that the Tiggo 7 PHEV did not get stranded along the way.
As the trip meter displayed 1,200 km at Bestari Jaya, we cheered with joy, having accomplished the mission set by Chery Malaysia.
Upon returning to Bamboo Hills, the Tiggo 7 PHEV recorded a total driving distance of 1,248 km, with the cluster meter showing a remaining range of approximately 93 km and a battery capable of allowing the SUV to travel an additional 16 km on electric power alone.
The overall fuel consumption rate was around 4.5 liters per 100 km, significantly lower than the official figure of 5 liters/100 km.
Who would have thought that the most affordable PHEV in Malaysia could perform comparably with other, much more expensive PHEVs on the market?
Want a sporty image? Reliable handling? A cabin that is comfortable, spacious, and quiet? Fuel-efficient? The Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV can meet your expectations
