Before you buy a Chery - READ THIS!!!!

I purchased a Chery Tiggo 7 Pro "Executive" from Chery Kempton Park on 30 April 2022. This was prior to the vehicle actually being launch, and although I wanted to wait until the following month, I was basically pushed to buy or they sell it to someone else who wanted it.

There some very specific things which were deciding factors for me to purchase this vehicle. However, after the purchase some of these things have turned out to be untrue. Chery (after the sale) are now also disputing that they confirmed these points (although it was confirmed several times in front on myself, my wife and my daughter) and now they are even telling me my points are invalid!! Basically saying that I am the one lying!

Here is my experience: - Prior to purchase, I popped into Chery to view a Tiggo 4 Pro, and then saw a Tiggo 7 Pro on the floor. It was a Distinctive model. The Tiggo 7 Pro had NOT launched yet and there were NO details of this vehicle online either, and the dealership was also unable to provide any brochures (physical or virtual). However, they were very keen to show me the vehicle, give information & specs and answer questions. I was not able to take the vehicle for a test drive at that point. I was also told a top of the range full spec Executive model is also available and has basically the same features as the Tiggo 8 Pro Executive. They didn't have one on the floor at the time.

- Shortly after I was told an Executive model arrived at the dealership, and I went to take a look. And once again I asked many questions around the vehicle. The following was confirmed: Genuine Leather Seats & Steering, Sony Sound system, Heated Exterior Mirrors, just to name a few things. However, these points have now been found to be untrue. Found recently that even the brochure/specs state the Tiggo 7 Pro has heated exterior mirrors and a Sony Sound system - which I now know is false marketing.

But as said, the dealership has now said they dispute saying these things, even though it was very specific points leading to my decision to purchase. Had I known the seats & steering were not genuine leather, I would definitely NOT have purchased this vehicle on that alone!!! It was a critical deciding factor at the time!

Prior to purchase I received amazing service from this dealership. BUT … after the purchase it's been a totally different experience!! Apart from the above, I have also experienced other issues with this vehicle, just too many to list here, however, I will cover some important ones below for those wanting to purchase a Tiggo 7 Pro, so that you know up front about the "super cheap" goodies it comes with.

I sent an email to the dealership on the issues, some were addressed and resolved at the 1st service, but most I have been told are invalid issues. Despite this I asked for further feedback after the service on 29 July 2022. After hearing nothing back I emailed them again on 10 August 2022, and requested now that Chery SA respond to me by no later than 25 August 2022. Surely enough time to respond??

I received a call from the Sales Manager at the dealership a week later on 17 August 2022, which didn't end well as he kept interrupting me and disputing what I was saying and also stating my points are invalid. Eventually I had to terminate the call as he was becoming increasingly aggressive and rude and wouldn't let me talk. Granted I got upset because of this as well! My wife phoned him later cause she didn't believe me, and he kept interrupting her as well. She was calmer than me, cause she didn't pay for the vehicle. To date, I have heard nothing further from either the dealership or Chery SA. Honestly feels like they are now deliberately avoiding the issues.

Negative Points to be aware of (that I raised with Chery): - There is NO RDS function on the radio - this is a super basic feature which has been around for several decades. Even the cheapest and most basic of radios have this. Clearly this radio drops below that spec!

- There is a weird & annoying grating sound when using the Adaptive Cruise Control in slow traffic. After scrutinizing the owners manual, I found it mentions something about this, but it's still a massive concern, and literally everyone who has been in the vehicle has commented on it.

- The Bluetooth doesn't always automatically re-pair with your phone. It doesn't even show up on the list of "paired" devices on the Tiggo. You have to re-pair it by rescanning manually again. It also loses the Bluetooth option/advanced settings you set on your phone once Bluetooth has re-paired. I have had at times delete the Tiggo from the list on my phone and start over completely. It also doesn't always bring in your contact list. The dealership also disputes this, and say my comments are invalid! Yet this is my & my wife's experience with this system. And this with 3 different phones.

- The Android Auto feature is sluggish to use (compared to other vehicles I tried). In fact the electronics on this vehicle feel sluggish in general. The Adaptive Cruise Control is another. Although this vehicle has a wireless charging pad, it is located in a place under the center console, which is out of reach when driving. Just a super weird place!

- Chery claim this vehicle does 6.8L/100km fuel consumption in its marketing (7.0L/100km on a sticker on the window) - BUT I cannot get remotely close to this. I am averaging around 10L/100km!! This vehicle is extremely heavy on fuel and frankly this is deceptive marketing!! With all previous vehicle I've owned, I have always been able to achieve the rated fuel consumption, sometimes even better than what was stated. But of course Chery have a story to justify their claim, but please note, this is NOT real life or remotely close to it!! Hence this is very deceptive marketing, trying to make you believe this vehicle is light on fuel where it is NOT at all!! Yet other vehicles out there can actually achieve the marketed fuel consumption figures.

- There is no way of telling if the doors are locked or not!! Plus all the doors unlock when you switch the vehicle off, which is a seriously massive safety concern!!!!! If 1 person gets out and closes their door, all the doors immediately unlock. Again a massive safety concern!!! The door locking / unlocking is a BIG safety issue!

Additional Points picked up: - Although this is termed an "Executive" model, there is no rain sensing / auto-wipers on this vehicle - it's manual only. No auto rear view mirror "dimming" for vehicle lights behind you, it's manual switching & also feels super cheap when adjusting. Sun visors are seriously cheap and don't even align with each other. Although this isn't in the specs, it should be basic features in an Executive model.

- The interior lighting appears to be LED, which is "pretty", but not functional at all. The reading light is at best an ambient light and nothing more. In fact these interior lights are so dim you can hardly see anything inside when they are on. The light in the "boot" area is also super dim that you can't see much there either.

- When playing a USB drive with audio's or music, the vehicle doesn't not keep the setting used after switching off the vehicle. When starting the vehicle again, the system resumes but starts playing a different playlist of tracks with the same number as the last song but from different folders. It is also not a very user friendly system for USB with numerous songs on. Actually very annoying.

- Ah yes, although an Executive model, there is also no PDC at the front.

- There are really nice front LED lights (although high-beam isn't that great) and animated LED indicators. BUT although the marketing state LED tail-lights & fog lights (front & rear), this is not 100% true. The reverse, brake, rear fog & rear indicator lights are NOT LED, but just bulbs. Super cheap spec in my view & definitely NOT Executive!

So I am guessing that the spec of this vehicle is only an Executive spec cause that’s what Chery says, but it's nowhere near a proper top of the range Executive spec, and although some recent reviews speak highly of this vehicle, they fail to dig deeper into it and mention the short falls for this vehicle.

One last caution … don't be fooled by the 1 million kilometre / 10 year engine warranty. It is NOT a true vehicle warranty, but rather a 1st owner warranty. It falls away for the 2nd owner, etc. thus making it a marketing ploy instead of a genuine vehicle warranty irrespective of how many owners there have been. I therefore have zero faith in that warranty whatsoever. In fact I believe this will negatively influence the resale value of the vehicle.

Except for the above, the vehicle does drive well and is very "attractive", but this purchase is NOT worth the price at all. It's direct competitor the Haval Jolion Super Luxury has more features for a lower price. Although I chose the Tiggo 7 Pro as I felt it was more attractive than the Jolion, I am now beyond disappointed with this vehicle, and especially with the post-sale service and attitude from Chery!!

I've now owned 2x Kia's, and they are beyond more impressive and better quality than the Chery in many areas! It's worth spending a little more for a lot more value! And the service at Kia is 1000% better as well.

I will make it my mission to share my experience and discourage as many people as possible from purchasing a Chery. I have made mistakes in my life, but this was definitely a noteworthy mistake!!