Chery Tiggo 7 vs MG ZS: Which Compact SUV Is Right for You?

The Chery Tiggo 7 offers a more mature driving experience. Its engine provides smooth, linear power delivery, and the suspension strikes a good balance between comfort and control, making it pleasant for both city commutes and highway cruising. The steering is light but accurate, aiding maneuverability in tight spots. The MG ZS, in contrast, has a livelier character. Its engine feels peppy in town, yet on the highway it can feel less refined, with more engine noise under hard acceleration. The ZS's suspension is firmer, leading to a slightly bumpier ride over rough surfaces, but it stays flatter through corners. Both have adequate braking feel, though the Tiggo 7's pedal modulation is more progressive.

Inside, the Tiggo 7 prioritizes quietness and comfort. Cabin insulation is good, suppressing wind and road noise at highway speeds. The seats are generously padded and supportive for long journeys, with a wide range of adjustment. The MG ZS is less isolating; road noise is more noticeable, especially on coarse tarmac. Its front seats are comfortable, but the rear bench is firmer and more upright. Both offer automatic climate control, but the Tiggo 7's system operates more quietly and maintains temperature more consistently. Material quality is respectable in both, but the Tiggo 7 uses slightly softer-touch plastics on frequently touched areas.

The Tiggo 7 provides excellent rear legroom, easily accommodating two adults with room to spare. Its boot is generously sized and square-shaped, making loading bulky items easy. The rear seats split and fold to create a flat load floor. The MG ZS is more compact: rear legroom is adequate for average-sized adults but feels tighter with taller passengers behind a tall driver. The boot is decent for the class but not as deep. However, the ZS offers more clever storage in the cabin, including a large glovebox and door pockets that hold bottles. For families, the Tiggo 7's extra space gives it an edge; for singles or couples, the ZS's smaller footprint makes parking simpler.

The MG ZS boasts a sleek, tablet-style infotainment system that responds quickly and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface is modern and intuitive, with crisp graphics. The Tiggo 7's system is slightly more laggy and less polished, with a busier menu structure. It does offer wired smartphone mirroring, but the screen resolution is lower. Both have digital instrument clusters, but the ZS's is more configurable and easier to read. In terms of driver assistance, the Tiggo 7 offers adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist that work smoothly, while the ZS's systems are more basic (regular cruise control, lane-departure warning only). The Tiggo 7 also includes a 360-degree camera; the ZS has a rear camera only.

Chery has established a solid reputation for reliability in many export markets, with a robust warranty program that often includes longer coverage than rivals. The Tiggo 7's mechanical components are proven and parts are readily available in regions where Chery has a dealer network. MG is backed by SAIC and offers a competitive warranty, but some owners report occasional electrical gremlins (especially with infotainment). Parts availability is generally good where MG is sold, though service intervals for the ZS are slightly more frequent. Both brands have expanding service networks, but Chery tends to have a broader coverage in emerging markets. Overall, the Tiggo 7 feels more durable in the long run.