Verdict
The RM9,660 gap is not simply a trim decision. The Tiggo 7 is the stronger PHEV on paper, with a 201 hp, 310 Nm motor, eight airbags and a 475-litre boot, but its 18.3 kWh battery delivers just 90 km of EV range. The iCaur 03’s 65.69 kWh battery stretches that to 426 km, while 80 kW DC charging doubles the Tiggo 7’s 40 kW rate. For Malaysian buyers able to charge regularly, the iCaur’s all-electric range is the decisive practical advantage; choose the Tiggo 7 for its extra safety hardware and cabin utility.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 7 if you want the more powerful 201 hp/310 Nm motor, eight airbags and a larger 475-litre boot in a plug-in hybrid.
Pick the iCaur 03 if you can live with a pure EV and prioritise 426 km of range, 80 kW DC charging and a 10-year/200,000 km battery warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Chery Tiggo 7 RM129,400; iCaur 03 RM119,740.
- Battery and EV range: Tiggo 7 18.3 kWh and 90 km; iCaur 03 65.69 kWh and 426 km.
- DC charging: Tiggo 7 40 kW; iCaur 03 80 kW.
- Motor output: Tiggo 7 201 hp and 310 Nm; iCaur 03 181 hp and 220 Nm.
- Airbags and boot space: Tiggo 7 eight airbags and 475 litres; iCaur 03 six airbags and 450 litres.
- Drive layout: Tiggo 7 front-wheel drive; iCaur 03 rear-wheel drive.
Tiggo 7
- 201 hp and 310 Nm motor output
- Eight airbags versus six
- 475-litre boot, 25 litres larger
- 90 km EV range versus 426 km
- 40 kW DC charging versus 80 kW
- RM9,660 more expensive
03
- 426 km EV range from a 65.69 kWh battery
- 80 kW DC charging
- 10-year/200,000 km battery and drive unit warranty
- 181 hp and 220 Nm, down on the Tiggo 7's 201 hp and 310 Nm
- Six airbags versus eight
- 450-litre boot is 25 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM129,400 | RM119,740✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM140 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 139 hp at 5,500 rpm | — |
| Torque | 215 Nm at 1,750 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 77 mm × 80.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp✓ | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | 310 Nm✓ | 220 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 18.3 kWh | 65.69 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 90 km | 426 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | 6.6 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | 80 kW✓ |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | 3.2 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | DHT | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 10.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 150 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,553 mm | 4,406 mm |
| Width | 1,862 mm | 1,910 mm |
| Height | 1,696 mm | 1,715 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,715 mm |
| Weight | 1,795 kg | 1,775 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 475 litres✓ | 450 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | GitiControl P10 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Aero Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Aero Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag, Curtain Airbags) | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) |
| 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 on outer two rear 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 Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| 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 | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Ventilation |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen Display, Sony Premium Audio with 8 Speakers, Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| 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 Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years | 7 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km battery and drive unit warranty | Power battery 10-yr/200,000 km; drive unit and HV components 10-yr/200,000 km; one-to-one battery replacement below 60% health |
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 & 03 for sale
Tiggo 7 vs 03 FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 7 or iCaur 03 better?
The iCaur 03 is the better pick for regular EV use, with 426 km of range and 80 kW DC charging. The Tiggo 7 suits buyers who want plug-in-hybrid running with more motor output, eight airbags and a larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The Chery Tiggo 7 costs RM129,400 and the iCaur 03 costs RM119,740, so the Tiggo 7 is RM9,660 more expensive.
Which one has the better charging and battery coverage?
The iCaur 03 charges at up to 80 kW DC versus the Tiggo 7's 40 kW, and its battery and drive-unit cover runs for 10 years/200,000 km. The Tiggo 7 has an eight-year/160,000 km battery and drive-unit warranty.
