Verdict
The Chery Tiggo 7 costs RM129,400, RM5,069 below the Mazda CX-5, and its plug-in hybrid hardware changes the ownership brief: 90 km EV range from an 18.3 kWh battery, plus 6.6 kW AC and 40 kW DC charging. It also has a 475-litre boot, eight airbags and autonomous braking. The CX-5 answers with 162 hp, a 2,700 mm wheelbase and 207 kg less weight, but lacks the Chery’s listed driver-assistance systems. For home charging, the Chery is the better-equipped choice; choose Mazda’s lighter conventional petrol route if charging is impractical.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 7 if you can charge at home and want 90 km of EV range, eight airbags and a 475-litre boot for less money.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you want a 1,588 kg conventional petrol SUV with a 2,700 mm wheelbase and a space-saver spare.
Key differences
- Price: Chery Tiggo 7 RM129,400; Mazda CX-5 RM134,469
- Powertrain: Chery 1.5-litre turbo plug-in hybrid with one 201 hp motor; Mazda 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol
- Electric driving: Chery 18.3 kWh battery and 90 km EV range; Mazda has no battery or EV range
- Weight: Chery 1,795 kg; Mazda 1,588 kg
- Wheelbase: Chery 2,670 mm; Mazda 2,700 mm
- Safety: Chery has eight airbags and autonomous braking; Mazda has six airbags and no autonomous braking
Tiggo 7
- 90 km EV range with 6.6 kW AC and 40 kW DC charging
- Eight airbags, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist
- 475-litre boot, powered front seats and 360-degree camera
- 207 kg heavier than the Mazda CX-5
- 30 mm shorter wheelbase
- Tyre repair kit instead of a space-saver spare
CX-5
- 207 kg lighter with a 2,700 mm wheelbase
- 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and space-saver spare
- Built-in navigation and four USB ports
- No plug-in hybrid system, EV range or charging capability
- Six airbags versus eight, with no listed autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist
- Manual front seats and no 360-degree camera
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM129,400✓ | RM134,469 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM439 |
| 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 Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 139 hp at 5,500 rpm | 162 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 215 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ | 213 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 77 mm × 80.5 mm | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 13 |
| 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 | SkyActiv-Drive with Manual Shift and Sport mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 10.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 176 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,553 mm | 4,550 mm |
| Width | 1,862 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,696 mm | 1,675 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,795 kg | 1,588 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 56 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 475 litres✓ | 442 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Maxxis Victra Sport 5 SUV | Continental CrossContact LX Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| 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 | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag, Curtain Airbags) | 6 (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 two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats Only |
| 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 Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 Rear USB, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| 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 | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/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 & CX-5 for sale
Tiggo 7 vs CX-5 FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 7 or Mazda CX-5 better?
The Chery Tiggo 7 is the stronger pick if you can charge regularly, because it adds 90 km EV range, eight airbags and active safety equipment. The Mazda CX-5 suits buyers who prefer a lighter conventional petrol SUV and a longer 2,700 mm wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Chery Tiggo 7 is RM5,069 cheaper than the Mazda CX-5. That gap also brings the Chery’s plug-in hybrid battery, 90 km EV range, 360-degree camera and powered front seats.
Can the Chery Tiggo 7 be charged on DC fast charging?
Yes. The Chery Tiggo 7 supports 6.6 kW AC charging and 40 kW DC charging for its 18.3 kWh battery. The Mazda CX-5 is a petrol-only model and has no external charging capability.
