Chery Tiggo 8 Pro vs Haval H6 vs Mahindra XUV700: Which one has the lowest running costs?

Chinese automaker Chery has shown that it knows how to produce a well-made family SUV with strong specification for reasonable money with the Tiggo 8 Pro. A common complaint with newer turbo petrol SUVs from China stems from high fuel consumption, so how does the Chery compare with two competent rivals?

Today we will compare the Tiggo 8 Pro with two similarly priced rivals, namely the Haval H6 and the Mahindra XUV700. All three models feature turbocharged petrol engines and automatic gearboxes. The question today is, which has the lowest running costs?

Related: Chery Tiggo 8 Pro vs Haval H6 GT vs Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace: Which has the lowest running costs?

The figures

	Chery Tiggo 8 Pro 1.6TGDI 290T Distinction	Haval H6 2.0GDIT Premium	Mahindra XUV700 2.0T AX5
Engine size	4-cyl, 1.6-litre turbo petrol	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbo petrol	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbo petrol
Power/Torque	145 kW/290 Nm	150 kW/320 Nm	149 kW/380 Nm
Gearbox	7-speed dual-clutch automatic	7-speed dual-clutch automatic	6-speed automatic
Seats	7	5	5
Airbags	6	6	4
Kerb weight	1 565kg	1 583kg	1 960kg
Boot capacity	193-892-1930-litres	600-litres	Not supplied
Fuel capacity	51-litres	60-litres	60-litres
Claimed consumption*	7.0 L/100 km	6.6 L/100 km	7.1 L/100 km
Service plan	5-yr/60 000km	5-yr /60 000km	5-yr/100 000km
Price	R496 900	R479 950	R474 999

 *Claimed fuel consumption 

Comparing the trio

Purchase price

The models that we have chosen for this comparison are competitors from a pricing and body-style perspective, with turbocharged petrol engines and automatic gearboxes. Monthly instalments are calculated throughout 72 months with an 11% deposit and no balloon or residual. The interest rate is set at 11%.

Chery Tiggo 8 Pro

With the instalment parameters in place, the Chery will work out at R8 512 per month over 72 months.

Haval H6 

With the instalment parameters in place, the Havai will work out at R8 222 per month over 72 months.

Mahindra XUV700

With the instalment parameters in place, the Mahindra will work out at R8 137 per month over 72 months.

Our contenders all feature turbocharged petrol engines, however, the Mahindra and Haval have 2.0-litre motors whereas the Chery features a 1.6-litre unit. From a power and torque perspective, there is little to choose between the trio, but the XUV700 has a weight disadvantage. From our experience, all three models are noticeably heavier on fuel than claimed, however, from our experience, the Chery is marginally lighter on fuel than the Haval and Mahindra.

Service plans

Our trio have varying service plans, with the Haval and Chery having the same plan duration of 5-year/60 000km,while the Mahindra gets a 5-year/100 000 plan, making it the winner in this category.

Verdict

Having looked at the data, in the first five years of ownership, we feel that the trio assembled here will cost a similar amount to run, but for those covering higher mileage, the Mahindra is the one to go for.