Chery Tiggo 8 Pro vs Geely Okavango: Best Affordable 7-Seater SUV?

Abu Dhabi: The popularity of SUVs in the UAE market is unlikely to cool down anytime soon, considering the growing volumes. While everyone just loves SUVs, the buying decision often boils down to the affordability factor. This is more so for the full-size, three-row SUVs that seat 7 people, and most families want them for the obvious benefits of carrying people and cargo. This has given a major boost to the affordable 7-seater SUV market, and Chinese automakers are capturing this key market by offering compelling cars that serve families with not just space but comfort, actual features at a fraction of luxury SUV prices. The buyers are lapping these options as more models enter the market.  

If you’re considering buying such a family SUV at an affordable price, then two choices, both from Chinese automakers, stand out. The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and Geely Okavango, both offer seat seven, both come in under AED 120,000 for well-equipped versions, and both are built to handle the UAE's heat and highways. But they are not similar; the Tiggo 8 Pro is the newcomer, a completely redesigned SUV with plug-in hybrid technology and a modern interior. The Okavango has been around since 2020, proven and reliable, with a straightforward turbocharged petrol engine.

We put them against each, and compare all the key aspects to help you make a better decision, if you’re serious about considering them.

Price Comparison

The Tiggo 8 Pro starts at AED 92,500 for the base model, going up to AED 135,500 for the plug-in hybrid version with full features. It's a bigger jump because you're paying for battery technology and more power.

The Okavango starts lower at AED 89,900, with the top variant at AED 110,000. That's an AED 2,600 cheaper entry level, and AED 25,500 less at the top end.

What differentiates them is that Tiggo has better warranty coverage (Chery offers better after-sales in the UAE). The Okavango has a lower total cost of ownership if you skip the hybrid and just want a simple family SUV. Neither offers a warranty like the Patrol's seven years, but both are reasonable.

Model	Starting Price	Top Price	Warranty	Seating
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro	AED 92,500	AED 1,35,500	Standard	7 seats
Geely Okavango	AED 89,900	AED 1,10,000	Standard	7 seats

Dimensions Comparison

Both SUVs, as expected, are spacious; don’t consider them a city cars. You get proper three-row seating for seven people, their real highlight and persona, which makes them a perfect family consideration. 

The Tiggo 8 Pro has 4,722 mm of length, 2710 mm of wheelbase, and  244 mm ground clearance as standard. It comes with machine-cut alloy wheels and an SUV-like rugged design.

The Okavango is slightly longer at 4,860 mm, with a 2,825 mm wheelbase and 229 mm ground clearance. That extra length translates to slightly better third-row legroom. It has 19-inch alloy standard wheels, which look more upmarket.

The panoramic sunroofs are standard, and if you count the middle seat in the third row, the actual seating capacity turns out to be 8 for both of them. For adults, row two is where comfort lives in both cars, the third certainly not. Kids should be fine. Both SUVs have their own pure strengths to show; the Tiggo feels more squared-off and practical. The Okavango feels slightly more refined, which matters when you're looking at it in your driveway.

Dimension	Chery Tiggo 8 Pro	Geely Okavango
Length	4,720 mm	4,860 mm
Wheelbase	2,710 mm	2,825 mm
Ground Clearance	244 mm	229 mm
Fuel Tank	45 L	60 L
Seating	7 seats (3-row, power adjustable)	7 seats (3-row, power adjustable)
Wheels	18-inch standard	19-inch standard
Cargo Volume	1,179 L	Similar capacity

Powertrain Comparison

Here's where they start to look completely different and get their own personality. 

The Tiggo 8 Pro offers you choices, with the plug-in hybrid version pairing a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with an electric motor, producing 315 hp of power and 545 Nm of torque. That’s no doubt strong figures for the segment. It comes with a 7-speed DCT. While the base variant of the Tiggo has a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivering 254 hp of power and 390 Nm, not hybrid-level output, but still plenty for family duties.

Okavango seems to keep it simple. Single 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, 218 hp of power and 325 Nm, paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch. Since, hybrid is not available, that means no batteries, plug-in cables, or any complexity.

When it comes to fuel efficiency, both of them are just fine, given the driving conditions and weather in the UAE. For fuel economy, this matters in the UAE heat, where AC runs almost always. The Tiggo plug-in hybrid offers approximately 6.7 km/l in combined driving. While the Okavango promises 10-11 km/l, which is real, everyday driving with zero charging infrastructure needed.

The Tiggo is more powerful on paper. The Okavango is more straightforward to live with.

Specification	Chery Tiggo 8 Pro	Geely Okavango
Engine	1.5L Turbo + Electric (PHEV) or 2.0L Turbo	2.0L Turbocharged Petrol
Power	315 hp (PHEV) / 254 hp	218 hp
Torque	545 Nm / 390 Nm	325 Nm
Transmission	7-speed DCT	8-speed DCT
Fuel Economy	6.7 km/L (PHEV) / ~9 km/L	10-11 km/L
Drive Type	FWD	FWD
Battery (PHEV)	19.27 kWh	N/A
Electric Range	75 km	N/A

Features and Interior

Most of the Chinese brands are known to offer enticing offers at a reasonable price, and both of these SUVs show the way in this regard. 

The Tiggo 8 Pro's interior is the top highlight, and Chery deserves a great deal of credit for such a spectacular design. Most buyers are likely to find it impressive, where there is a massive 24.6-inch integrated display which has a digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen combined. Something rare at this price point. 

This is exceptional for the price. There is Google Built-in integration, Google Maps, and Google Assistant. Wireless charging, 50W capacity. Auto parking, 360-degree camera, nine driving modes, it's huge. For comfort, premium leather seats with supportive bolstering. Your cabin unmistakably feels modern and well-designed with a lot of attention to detail. The materials are of quality, and you don’t feel underwhelmed or let down. 

The Okavango has dual touchscreen units, a 12.3-inch main screen and a separate driver display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via wireless connection, and standard Wireless charging. The interior uses tan faux-leather upholstery that looks upscale. Moving object detection, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The cabin is comfortable and practical. Most of the stuff feels solid, but frankly, it isn’t as exciting as one would want in 2025. Perhaps miss that feeling of a kick that really makes an impression, but definitely well-equipped for your needs, certainly not outdated.

Feature	Chery Tiggo 8 Pro	Geely Okavango
Main Display	24.6-inch integrated (touchscreen + digital cluster)	Dual 12.3-inch touchscreens
Audio System	12-speaker system	Standard audio system
Connectivity	Google Built-in, Google Maps, Google Assistant	Apple CarPlay/Android Auto wireless
Climate Control	Automatic with smart features	Automatic dual-zone
Wireless Charging	Yes, 50W	Yes
Seating Material	Premium leather, power adjustable	Faux leather, power adjustable
Special Features	Auto parking, 360° camera, 9 drive modes	Moving object detection, adaptive cruise
Panoramic Sunroof	Standard	Standard

Safety Comparison

There is enough safety that boosts the confidence of drivers and passengers. The Tiggo 8 Pro gets 8 airbags covering driver, passenger, side, curtain, and driver knee protection. Then features like electronic stability control, ABS, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and 360-degree around-view cameras make it a lot safer. 

The Okavango has 6 airbags, including dual front airbags, electronic stability control, ABS, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with moving object detection.

Comparatively, on paper, the Tiggo offers more airbags and more driver-assistance features. In real terms, both provide solid protection, equipped with all the necessary features that one would want. It is not hard to find that the Tiggo tries harder with prevention technology, while the Okavango focuses on fundamentals and proven systems. But keep in mind, neither scores highest in safety, but both are reasonably equipped for UAE driving.

Feature	Chery Tiggo 8 Pro	Geely Okavango
Airbags	8 (comprehensive coverage)	6 (dual front)
Cameras	360-degree Around View Monitor	Rear camera standard
Safety Suite	ProPILOT-style features, blind spot monitoring	Lane departure, moving object detection
Driver Assists	Intelligent cruise control, attention alert	Adaptive cruise, emergency braking
Parking Tech	Full auto parking with sensors	Front and rear sensors, 360° available
Emergency Services	e-call system	Standard safety only

Real-World Driving

For your everyday city, both SUVs are perfect and share similar characteristics. They're family SUVs, not sports cars, and offer exactly what families want. The Tiggo comes across as more refined because it's newer, and the Okavango gives the feel of being solid and purposeful.

On highways, the Tiggo's extra power and refinement are visible and feel smoother at higher speeds. The Okavango is responsive enough but feels slightly older in character.

On rough roads, neither is a true off-roader, but the Okavango's simpler suspension absorbs bumps without effort; the Tiggo is more sorted, better tuned for comfort, but needs slightly more composure.

To be absolutely fair and clear, the SUVs are not meant for off-roading, which means you’re not taking either into the desert regularly. But both can handle it.

In terms of their abilities, the Tiggo comes with a terrain management mode. Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud, and a 4-Low equivalent. Then the features like modern electronics, coordinate suspension, differential locking, and traction control. It's smart off-roading with technology doing most of the job of performance.

The Okavango has a more mechanical approach. Standard off-road suspension, electronic limited-slip differential, and a simpler transfer case. It's proven capability paired with simplicity. Lower ground clearance (229 mm vs 244 mm) matters less because the Okavango's engineering is direct and honest.

Which One Suits You?

The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro is for those buyers who want the latest tech, have home charging access, and whose commute is mostly short city driving, or who value modern features and feel. The plug-in hybrid reduces fuel costs if used properly.

The Geely Okavango is for anyone who wants simplicity, a proven track record since 2020, lower upfront cost, and zero charging complexity. You prefer straightforward engineering over cutting-edge tech. You plan longer highway trips and want a consistent range without planning charging stops.

Conclusion

An in-depth look at both these seven-seater SUVs it is apparent that, at a reasonably affordable price, buyers in the UAE have got a great bargain. This also highlights the fact that why Chinese cars are becoming popular among buyers in the UAE, you’re basically getting a lot at a much lower price. The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and Geely Okavango both seem to have what an average buyer of this segment, mostly a family, would want without compromising anything at all.  If you’re clear about your expectation as to what you want, picking one from these two won’t be hard, as there is a lot of similarity and also quite a difference. Ideally, you should test drive both to compare them by feeling in the real world, which should help you to know them well enough to choose one.