Chery has revealed a new version of its Tiggo 7, a five-seater mid-size SUV that comes in petrol or plug-in hybrid flavours. 

Details of the new car are fairly scant, but we’ve got a good look at the outside of the car from its reveal at Chery’s recent brand celebration... and it looks very similar to the current version. 

We know that the petrol/plug-in hybrid combo will continue with the new car, and we hear that it’s using an upgraded version of the company’s T1X platform, which is interesting because it also underpins the likes of the Jaecoo 7, Omoda 7 and E5 models, plus the new Lepas L8. 

We’ve not properly seen inside the car yet, but the upgraded interior is described by Chery as “yacht-like”, which is meant to conjure an image of teak wood and elegant lounging, but could also mean wet, salty and with a slight fishy whiff. 

The company is definitely aiming for the former aspect of life at sea, with talk of new more comfortable seats, improved tech and a focus on practicality. The front seats are more adjustable (and will come with a massage function) and the rears now drop down at the touch of a button. 

Indeed, there’s a focus on practicality all round – the styling of the new car is a touch more rugged than before, with sharp lines and a commanding presence up front. The Chinese carmaker is keen to emphasise the off-roading potential of the new car and also its usefulness for family adventures like camping. 

Cementing that new lifestyle-oriented image is the new X-badged version of the Tiggo 7, which amps up the aggression with a series of off-roading themed styling upgrades including a revised grille with black plastic accents, squared off wheel arches with black plastic accents and beefed up underbody protection that the front (you can probably guess what it’s made of). 

No word yet on when the upgraded Tiggo 7 will come to the UK, or whether Chery plans to bring its beefy X-badged models to British showrooms, but we’ll be sure to bring you the latest news as soon as we find out.