Buyer Q&A: Best Chinese Family SUV in New Zealand

The BYD Sealion 7 offers instant, silent acceleration typical of EVs, making city driving effortless. Its low centre of gravity provides stable handling, though the ride can feel firm on rough roads. Chery’s Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid delivers a smooth, quiet powertrain in electric mode, with a seamless transition to the petrol engine when needed; the Tiggo 7 CSH is similarly refined but more nimble due to its smaller size, ideal for tight urban streets and parking.

All three models feature comfortable seating and decent noise insulation for their segments. The Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid and Sealion 7 offer more rear legroom and a quieter cabin on the highway, making them better suited for long family trips. The Tiggo 7 CSH is still composed, but the compact body means less shoulder room for three adults in the back. Suspension tuning is generally pliant over NZ’s varied road surfaces, though the Sealion 7 can feel slightly jittery on gravel.

The BYD Sealion 7 is the roomiest, with a large boot and flat floor, ideal for strollers and luggage. The Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid offers good second-row space and a split-folding rear seat, plus a spacious boot with the PHEV battery not intruding. The Tiggo 7 CSH is more compact – fine for small families or urban use – but the boot is smaller, and the rear seat is tighter for adults. All have ISOFIX points for child seats.

The Sealion 7 features a large touchscreen with intuitive controls, over-the-air updates, and a clear reversing camera. Chery’s Tiggo twins offer a similar suite of connectivity, including smartphone mirroring and a 360-degree camera in higher trims. Voice control works well for climate and nav. PHEV models provide good electric range for daily commutes, reducing fuel stops, while the EV requires planning for longer trips with NZ’s growing but still patchy public charger network.

Chinese brands have expanded NZ dealer networks, with BYD and Chery offering competitive warranties (typically 5 years or more). Parts availability is improving but can take longer than for established Japanese or Korean brands. Servicing is straightforward at authorised centres. Early reports indicate solid reliability, though long-term data is limited. The simpler EV powertrain of the Sealion 7 may have lower maintenance costs, while PHEVs have both electric and petrol servicing needs.

The BYD Sealion 7 suits families with off-street parking and a daily commute well within its electric range, prioritising low running costs and cabin space. The Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid appeals to those who want an electric-like experience but need the flexibility of petrol for longer journeys or areas with sparse charging. The Tiggo 7 CSH fits urban families on a tighter budget looking for a practical, fuel-efficient compact SUV without range anxiety.