Verdict
At RM129,400 against RM133,800, the Tiggo 7 is the more richly specified choice for less money. Its 18.3-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery delivers a claimed 90 km EV range, while annual road tax is RM120 versus RM359. It is also 93 mm longer, has a 475-litre boot and multi-link rear suspension. The Corolla Cross counters with a 390 kg lower kerb weight, a space-saver spare and contactless powered boot. For buyers able to charge regularly, the Chery’s powertrain and equipment make the stronger case.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 7 if you can charge at home or work and want 90 km of EV range, a bigger boot and more cabin equipment for RM4,400 less.
Pick the Toyota Corolla Cross if lower 1,405 kg kerb weight, a space-saver spare tyre and a contactless powered boot matter more than plug-in capability.
Key differences
- Price: Chery Tiggo 7 RM129,400; Toyota Corolla Cross RM133,800.
- Powertrain: Tiggo 7 has a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid with one 201-hp, 310-Nm motor and 90 km EV range; Corolla Cross has a 1.
- Road tax: Tiggo 7 RM120 per year; Corolla Cross RM359 per year.
- Size and boot: Tiggo 7 is 4,553 mm long with a 2,670 mm wheelbase and 475-litre boot; Corolla Cross is 4,460 mm, 2,640 mm and 440 litres.
- Kerb weight: Tiggo 7 1,795 kg; Corolla Cross 1,405 kg.
- Rear suspension and airbags: Tiggo 7 multi-link and eight airbags; Corolla Cross torsion beam and seven airbags.
Tiggo 7
- 90 km EV range from an 18.3-kWh battery
- 475-litre boot and multi-link rear suspension
- Ventilated and heated front seats, panoramic sunroof, head-up display
- 390 kg heavier at 1,795 kg
- Tyre repair kit instead of a space-saver spare
- Powered boot lacks the Corolla Cross's contactless operation
Corolla Cross
- 390 kg lower kerb weight
- Space-saver spare tyre
- Contactless powered boot
- No EV range or plug-in charging capability
- 440-litre boot is 35 litres smaller
- Torsion-beam rear suspension and one fewer airbag
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM129,400✓ | RM133,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM359 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing (Dual VVT-i) |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 139 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 138 hp at 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 215 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ | 172 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 77 mm × 80.5 mm | 80.5 mm × 88.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 310 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 18.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 90 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | DHT | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 185 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,553 mm | 4,460 mm |
| Width | 1,862 mm | 1,825 mm |
| Height | 1,696 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,640 mm |
| Weight | 1,795 kg | 1,405 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 475 litres✓ | 440 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Aero Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Aero Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag, Curtain Airbags) | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory, 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat, Ventilated and Heated | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen Display, Sony Premium Audio with 8 Speakers, Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto | 10.1" Capacitive Touchscreen Display, 6 Speakers, Wireless Carplay and Wired Android Auto, USB and Bluetooth |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km battery and drive unit warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Tiggo 7 & Corolla Cross for sale
Tiggo 7 vs Corolla Cross FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 7 or Toyota Corolla Cross better?
The Tiggo 7 is the better-equipped choice for buyers who can use its 90 km EV range. The Corolla Cross suits those who prioritise its much lower 1,405 kg kerb weight, space-saver spare and contactless powered boot.
What is the price difference?
The Chery Tiggo 7 costs RM4,400 less than the Toyota Corolla Cross. It also has lower annual road tax: RM120 compared with RM359.
Can the Chery Tiggo 7 be charged?
Yes. The Tiggo 7 has an 18.3-kWh battery, 6.6-kW AC charging and 40-kW DC charging. Its claimed electric range is 90 km, and it has 3.3-kW vehicle-to-load capability.
