Luxgen 7 SUV

Luxgen 7 SUV at a glance

The 7 SUV was Luxgen's second model after the Luxgen7 MPV and the brand's first SUV. It was designed to offer the size and technology of premium SUVs at a lower price, and the manufacturer compared it with the Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. The brand's story is told in the history of Luxgen, and its models are in the Luxgen catalogue.

Design and exterior

The Luxgen 7 SUV has a bold front with large headlights topped by LED daytime running light strips, a big vertical grille framed by a U-shaped chrome surround and fog lights mounted high, close to the headlights. In profile it shows large door openings, a rising window line with a high belt and pronounced wheel arches, and observers compared its silhouette with crossovers such as the Infiniti EX and Peugeot 3008. The rear has narrow LED tail lights, a relatively small tailgate and a bumper with integrated lights and exhaust outlets. The power tailgate monitors the space around it and stops before hitting a low ceiling or another car.

Interior and technology

The cabin is the 7 SUV's strongest point. It is trimmed in real leather on top versions, and the driver's seat has good side support and electric adjustment. A large dashboard flows into a high centre console, and a 10-inch screen shows navigation, the climate settings for the three-zone system and pictures from four cameras that give an all-round view. A side camera switches on with the indicator and shows the blind area, and a night vision camera was available. The rear bench is roomy enough for three tall adults, slides forwards and backwards and has an adjustable backrest. The sound system came from Clarion, and an unusual anti-theft feature tilts the driver's seat forward so that only the owner can return it to the driving position.

Engine, transmission and chassis

The automatic gearbox adapts its shift pattern to the driver's style. Front suspension uses MacPherson struts, and the rear has a torsion beam with a Panhard rod; steering has hydraulic assistance. Testers noted that the engine felt weak at high revs, the steering lacked precision and engine noise could be intrusive.

Dimensions

At 4,800 mm, the 7 SUV is longer than many mid-size SUVs, and the long wheelbase gives generous rear legroom and a large boot.

Trims and equipment

Three trim levels were typical in export markets. The base version has front-wheel drive, ABS, climate control, electric windows, front airbags, heated front seats, an electrically adjustable driver's seat with memory, a trip computer, a multimedia system, keyless entry, rear parking sensors, alloy wheels and an alarm. The middle trim adds all-wheel drive, a stability control system, leather seats, electrically adjustable mirrors, a massage function for the driver's seat and curtain airbags. The top Prestige version adds the four-camera around-view system, a reversing camera, night vision, cruise control, front parking sensors, an electric sunroof, a light sensor and a ventilated driver's seat.

Safety

The 7 SUV has nine airbags, including side curtains, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist and further electronic driver aids. Lane departure warning alerts the driver when the car crosses a line without the indicator, and the camera system helps when parking and changing lanes. Base versions had keyless entry, push-button start and parking sensors.

History and versions

The Luxgen 7 SUV followed the Luxgen7 MPV, which was based on the Renault Espace III and sold more cars in Taiwan by March 2010 than the entire Hyundai line-up. The SUV was renamed U7 during a facelift, in line with Luxgen's new naming system (M7 for the MPV, S5 for the saloon, U6 and U5 for smaller SUVs). From 2010 to 2020 Dongfeng Yulon built and sold Luxgen models in China, but the brand left China in 2020 because of low sales, and the U7 was discontinued the same year. Luxgen's first export market was Oman in 2010, followed by Iran in 2017 and other markets.

Rivals: how the Luxgen 7 SUV compares

The 7 SUV competed with the Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Tucson, the Toyota RAV4, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and the Ford Kuga. Its strengths are size, rear space, a rich standard specification and advanced camera technology for its price; its weaknesses are the single engine choice, high fuel consumption, average driving dynamics and a small dealer network outside Taiwan.