Verdict
At RM129,400, the Tiggo 7 costs RM239 less than the RM129,639 Sportage, but brings a 18.3-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery, 90 km EV range and 6.6-kW AC/40-kW DC charging. Its 201-hp, 310-Nm motor also gives it hardware the Kia does not have. The Sportage counters with a 587-litre boot, 112 litres more, and an 85-mm longer 2,755-mm wheelbase. For Malaysian buyers able to charge regularly, the Chery is the better-equipped choice; the Kia suits those prioritising cargo room and a conventional petrol setup.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 7 if you can use its 90 km EV range and want adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you want the larger 587-litre boot, 2,755-mm wheelbase and a conventional 2.0-litre petrol powertrain.
Key differences
- Powertrain: Tiggo 7 has a 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid with one 201-hp/310-Nm motor; Sportage has a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.
- Electric driving: Tiggo 7 has an 18.3-kWh battery and 90 km EV range; Sportage has no battery or EV range.
- Boot space: Tiggo 7 has 475 litres; Sportage has 587 litres.
- Wheelbase: Tiggo 7 measures 2,670 mm; Sportage measures 2,755 mm.
- Weight: Tiggo 7 weighs 1,795 kg; Sportage weighs 1,578 kg.
- Warranty: Tiggo 7 gets seven years/150,000 km plus eight years/160,000 km for battery and drive unit; Sportage gets five years/100,000 km.
Tiggo 7
- 90 km EV range from an 18.3-kWh battery
- Adaptive cruise control, collision warning and lane-keeping assist
- Ventilated and heated power front seats with panoramic sunroof
- 475-litre boot is 112 litres smaller than the Sportage's
- 1,795 kg kerb weight is 217 kg higher
- 2,670-mm wheelbase is 85 mm shorter
Sportage
- 587-litre boot
- 2,755-mm wheelbase
- 217 kg lighter than the Tiggo 7
- No plug-in-hybrid battery, EV range or charging capability
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or blind-spot information system
- Manual front-seat adjustment and no panoramic sunroof
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM129,400✓ | RM129,639 |
| 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 stronger choice for regular charging and equipment, with 90 km EV range, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. Choose the Sportage if its 587-litre boot and 2,755-mm wheelbase matter more than plug-in-hybrid capability.
What is the price difference?
The Chery Tiggo 7 costs RM129,400 and the Kia Sportage costs RM129,639. The Kia is RM239 more expensive.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Kia Sportage has the bigger boot at 587 litres, against 475 litres in the Chery Tiggo 7. That is a 112-litre advantage for the Kia.