Verdict
The Tiggo 7 makes more sense for a Malaysian buyer able to charge regularly: its 18.3 kWh battery brings a claimed 90 km EV range, while annual road tax is RM120 against the Sportage’s RM440. It also gets adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera. The Kia answers with a 587-litre boot, 112 litres more than the Chery’s, plus an 85 mm longer 2,755 mm wheelbase. Pick storage and lower kerb weight; pick the Chery for plug-in capability and equipment.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 7 if you can use its 90 km EV range and want adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and powered, ventilated front seats.
Pick the Kia Sportage if a 587-litre boot, 2,755 mm wheelbase and 217 kg lower kerb weight matter more than plug-in hybrid driving.
Key differences
- Road tax: Chery Tiggo 7 RM120 per year; Kia Sportage RM440 per year.
- Powertrain: Chery Tiggo 7 has a 1,498 cc plug-in hybrid with a 201 hp, 310 Nm motor; Kia Sportage has a 1,999 cc 154 hp, 192 Nm petrol engine.
- Electric driving: Chery Tiggo 7 has an 18.3 kWh battery and 90 km EV range; Kia Sportage has no battery or EV range.
- Wheelbase and boot: Chery Tiggo 7 measures 2,670 mm and 475 litres; Kia Sportage measures 2,755 mm and 587 litres.
- Kerb weight: Chery Tiggo 7 is 1,795 kg; Kia Sportage is 1,578 kg.
- Wheels and tyres: Chery Tiggo 7 uses 18-inch wheels with 225/60R18 tyres; Kia Sportage uses 17-inch wheels with 235/65R17 tyres.
Tiggo 7
- 90 km EV range from an 18.3 kWh battery
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist
- Powered, heated and ventilated front seats with a panoramic sunroof
- 475-litre boot is 112 litres smaller
- 1,795 kg kerb weight is 217 kg higher
- 1,498 cc engine produces 139 hp versus the Kia’s 154 hp
Sportage
- 587-litre boot and 2,755 mm wheelbase
- 217 kg lighter kerb weight
- 154 hp 1,999 cc naturally aspirated petrol engine
- RM440 annual road tax versus RM120
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or blind spot information system listed
- Manual front-seat adjustment versus powered, heated and ventilated Chery seats
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM129,400 | RM128,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM440 |
| 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 |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 139 hp | 154 hp✓ |
| Torque | 215 Nm✓ | 192 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | 77 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 10.8 |
| 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 | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | DHT | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,553 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,862 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,696 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,795 kg | 1,578 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 475 litres | 587 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Aero Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Aero Alloy | 17" 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 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Available for 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 | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| 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, 1 Wireless Charger, 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 | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 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 | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| 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 & Sportage for sale
Tiggo 7 vs Sportage FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 7 or Kia Sportage better?
The Tiggo 7 is the better-equipped choice for drivers who can charge and use its 90 km EV range. Choose the Sportage if its 587-litre boot, longer wheelbase and lower 1,578 kg kerb weight are your priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Chery Tiggo 7 costs RM129,400 and the Kia Sportage costs RM128,800, so the Chery is RM600 more expensive.
Which SUV has more luggage space?
The Kia Sportage has the larger boot at 587 litres, compared with 475 litres for the Chery Tiggo 7. That is a 112-litre advantage for the Kia.