At the end of 2022, Chery launched a new headlining model in South Africa in the form of the Tiggo 8 Pro MAX, a more powerful version of the standard SUV with a generous dose of fitments.
This came a few short months after one of its biggest competitors, Haval, debuted its sporty H6 GT.
With the starting prices of the two Chinese SUVs being a mere R50 apart, buyers are in for a tough decision.
Cutting-edge equipment
The new Tiggo 8 Pro MAX and H6 GT’s specification sheets leave little to be desired.
Future owners can expect both high-riders to come with a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry and start, automatic wipers, a wireless charger, electric front seats with lumbar support, 360-degree camera systems, and eight-speaker stereos.
Moreover, both boast automatic LED headlights and dual-zone climate control, but the Chery improves these features by adding high-beam assist, as well as an 8-inch climate adjustment display and independent third-row airconditioning settings.
On top of this, the new Chery is equipped with a 12.3-inch digital driver’s screen next to a 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and intelligent voice control. The Haval swops these dimensions and gets a 10.25-inch instrument cluster alongside a 12.3-inch entertainment centre which also has smartphone mirroring.
More similarities come in the form of leather upholstery, with the Tiggo bringing a total of seven seats in the buyer’s choice of black or brown shades, whereas the H6 comes with five black seats showing off green highlights and Alcantara inserts.
The only amenities they then don’t share comprise paddle shifters, a heads-up display, heated front seats, and an auto-lift tailgate on the Haval; and a cooled glove box, multi-colour ambient lighting, and door-opening warning prevention on the Chery.
As far as driver assistance systems go, the rivals are overflowing with the most cutting-edge abilities on the market.
Both bring adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot detection, pre-collision warnings, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warnings, hill start and descent assist, and ABS with brake assist.
The H6 also features a few extra abilities the Tiggo can’t match, specifically, intelligent cornering, traffic jam assist, collision avoidance with intelligent dodge, autonomous emergency braking, lane-change assist, lane-keep and centering assist, driver fatigue alert, front parking sensors, and secondary collision mitigation.
In terms of design, Haval’s offering undoubtedly has a more athletic aesthetic, too, thanks to an “aerodynamic kit” that adds dual rear spoilers, a sporty rear diffuser, aero side skirts, gloss black roof rails, matte black overfenders, carbon fibre accents on the bumper and tailgate, and 19-inch gloss black wheels in a model-specific design.
On the Chery, though, the only way to differentiate the MAX from its standard siblings is through its four tailpipes, black rear diffuser, and badging on the tailgate.
Performance
The headlining feature of the new Chery is the fact that it’s the only one in the Tiggo 8 line-up sporting a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine with a capacity of 187kW and 390Nm. Driving the front axle via a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox, the seven-seater sprints to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds while registering an average fuel consumption of 7.3l/100km.
The Haval also makes use of a turbocharged 2.0-litre, seven-speed drivetrain, though it generates a lower 155kW and 325Nm and turns all four tyres through a torque-on-demand all-wheel-drive system.
As a result, this H6 manages a 0-100km/h run of around 8.5 seconds while average fuel usage is pegged at 8.4l/100km.
Furthermore, the GT’s ride can be adjusted with seven drive modes comprising Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, Sand, Off-road, and Race – whereas the MAX makes do with Standard, Eco, and Sport settings only.
The Haval also sits 26mm lower than the Chery at a ground clearance of 170mm, while being ever-so-slightly heavier (1,680kg vs 1,636kg) despite having two fewer seats.
Price
The new Chery Tiggo 8 Pro MAX has a South African starting price of R629,900.
This is accompanied by a 5-year/150,000km warranty, a 10-year/1-million-kilometre engine warranty, a 7-year/90,000km service plan, and 5-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance.
The Haval H6 GT has a South African starting price of R629,950.
This includes a 5-year/100,000km warranty and a 5-year/60,000km service plan.
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro MAX
Haval H6 GT
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