Is That a Range Rover Evoque? No, It's the New Chery Tiggo 7 Sport

At first glance, you might mistake it for a Range Rover Evoque, but the latest Chery SUV, the Tiggo 7 Sport, has made its debut in China, showcasing a design heavily inspired by the luxury British SUV. Recently unveiled through Chinese government filings, the Tiggo 7 Sport is a rebadged version of the Jaecoo J7 and is slightly larger than the Tiggo 7 Pro currently available in Australia.

A Familiar Look

While the Tiggo 7 Sport is visually distinct, its design seems to borrow heavily from the Range Rover Evoque. The headlights, grille, air intakes, and front bumper detailing closely resemble the Evoque's sharp, upscale design. Both vehicles also share a steeply rising belt line, contributing to a similar silhouette.

This resemblance might not be coincidental. Chery has a joint venture in China with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), building models like the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Evoque. Given this collaboration, the design similarities between Chery's new SUV and JLR's products have raised some eyebrows.

Performance and Powertrains

The Tiggo 7 Sport will be available in China with both petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrains. Here's a breakdown of the options:

• Turbocharged 1.6-Litre Petrol Engine: Producing 145kW of power and 290Nm of torque, this is a more powerful option than the Omoda 5 GT and Tiggo 7 Pro sold in Australia. Power is sent to the front or all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
• Plug-In Hybrid: The PHEV variant uses a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, developing 115kW of power, paired with a dedicated hybrid system. While specific details on the Tiggo 7 Sport PHEV are not yet confirmed, other Chery models with similar setups, such as the Tiggo 7 Pro e+ and Tiggo 8 Pro e+, deliver a combined output of 240kW and 545Nm, using a Direct Hybrid Transmission (DHT) and dual electric motors.

Dimensions and Features

The Tiggo 7 Sport is a larger offering compared to its Australian counterpart, the Tiggo 7 Pro. Petrol versions of the Tiggo 7 Sport measure between 4538mm and 4545mm in length, and 1898mm in width, slightly wider than the Tiggo 7 Pro. The plug-in hybrid version is slightly smaller, measuring between 4505mm and 4545mm in length and as narrow as 1865mm.

The Tiggo 7 Sport offers a range of wheel sizes, from 17 to 19 inches, with design variations depending on the trim level. Despite these upgrades, it's unclear whether the Tiggo 7 Sport will be made available in Australia, though Chery has confirmed that the Jaecoo J7 will be arriving later this year.

Australia's PHEV Future?

While Australian buyers may not get their hands on the Tiggo 7 Sport anytime soon, Chery has hinted that a Tiggo 7 Pro PHEV will likely hit Australian showrooms by mid-2025. With Chery already looking to introduce plug-in hybrid models to the Australian market, it's possible that the PHEV trend will continue to grow, offering buyers more eco-friendly options in the mid-size SUV segment.

Conclusion

The Chery Tiggo 7 Sport brings a bold, stylish design that closely resembles the luxury Range Rover Evoque, along with powerful engine options and advanced hybrid technology. While its future in Australia remains uncertain, the imminent arrival of the Jaecoo J7 and the potential for more Chery PHEVs mark exciting times ahead for the brand Down Under. Stay tuned for more updates as Chery continues to expand its lineup and push for innovation in the electric and hybrid space.