Verdict
The Tiggo 7 brings plug-in hybrid hardware the Civic cannot match: an 18.3-kWh battery, 90 km EV range, 6.6-kW AC and 40-kW DC charging, plus 3.3-kW V2L. Its 201-hp, 310-Nm motor adds a useful electric side to the 139-hp, 215-Nm petrol engine. The Civic counters with a stronger 180-hp, 240-Nm 1.5-litre turbo, a 2,735-mm wheelbase and 497-litre boot. For Malaysian buyers able to charge, the Chery’s extra equipment and EV capability make the stronger case; the Honda is the lighter, roomier sedan alternative.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 7 if you can charge at home or work and want 90 km of EV range, V2L and far more comfort equipment in an SUV.
Pick the Honda Civic if you want a 1,349-kg sedan with a 497-litre boot, 2,735-mm wheelbase and 180-hp petrol turbo engine.
Key differences
- Powertrain: Tiggo 7 has a 139-hp/215-Nm petrol engine plus a 201-hp/310-Nm motor; Civic has a 180-hp/240-Nm petrol engine.
- Electrification: Tiggo 7 has an 18.3-kWh battery, 90 km EV range and 6.6-kW AC/40-kW DC charging; Civic has no motor, battery or EV range.
- Dimensions: Tiggo 7 is 4,553 mm long, 1,862 mm wide and 1,696 mm tall; Civic is 4,678 mm long, 1,802 mm wide and 1,415 mm tall.
- Practicality: Tiggo 7 has a 2,670-mm wheelbase and 475-litre boot; Civic has a 2,735-mm wheelbase and 497-litre boot.
- Weight and road tax: Tiggo 7 weighs 1,795 kg and costs RM120 yearly; Civic weighs 1,349 kg and costs RM90 yearly.
- Cabin equipment: Tiggo 7 gets ventilated/heated power front seats and a panoramic sunroof; Civic has manual front seats and no sunroof.
Tiggo 7
- 18.3-kWh plug-in hybrid battery with 90 km EV range
- 360-degree camera, head-up display and powered boot
- Seven-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty plus eight-year/160,000-km battery and drive-unit cover
- 1,795 kg kerb weight is 446 kg higher than the Civic
- 475-litre boot is 22 litres smaller than the Civic's
- Tyre repair kit instead of the Civic's space-saver spare
Civic
- 180-hp and 240-Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine
- 65-mm longer wheelbase and 497-litre boot
- 446 kg lighter, with lower RM90 annual road tax
- No plug-in hybrid system, EV range, DC charging or V2L
- Manual front seats and single-zone climate control versus the Tiggo 7's powered ventilated/heated seats and dual-zone system
- No 360-degree camera, head-up display or panoramic sunroof
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM129,400✓ | RM133,900 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 139 hp | 180 hp✓ |
| Torque | 215 Nm | 240 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | 77 mm | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 10.3 |
| 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 | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,553 mm | 4,678 mm |
| Width | 1,862 mm | 1,802 mm |
| Height | 1,696 mm | 1,415 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,735 mm |
| Weight | 1,795 kg | 1,349 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 475 litres | 497 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 215/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 215/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | Continental MaxContact MC5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Aero Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Aero Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| 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 Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| 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 | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Front Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/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 & Civic for sale
Tiggo 7 vs Civic FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 7 or Honda Civic better?
The Tiggo 7 is better for buyers who can use its 90 km EV range and want a 360-degree camera, powered ventilated seats and a panoramic sunroof. The Civic is better for a lighter sedan with a larger 497-litre boot and stronger 180-hp petrol engine.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic costs RM4,500 more than the Chery Tiggo 7: RM133,900 versus RM129,400.
Can the Chery Tiggo 7 be charged externally?
Yes. The Tiggo 7 plug-in hybrid has an 18.3-kWh battery, supports 6.6-kW AC and 40-kW DC charging, and has a stated EV range of 90 km. The Civic is petrol-only and has no external charging capability.