Hey folks, Chery is about to make a big move again! The latest news shows that the Arrizo 8 PRO will start pre-sales on March 1. This compact sedan with the PRO suffix is no simple matter.

The newly designed mecha-style front face paired with the 8155 chip smart cockpit, and the key hidden weapon is the 390 N·m 2.0T. Just looking at this configuration lineup, it's likely to stir up a bloodbath in the 100,000-150,000 yuan family sedan market.

But let's be clear upfront: this car review today is absolutely not paid promotion. We'll break down both the pros and cons thoroughly!

Speaking of the evolution of domestic cars' looks, the Arrizo 8 PRO definitely counts as a milestone work.

The octagonal blacked-out grille on the front looks like a mecha warrior, with active air intake hidden in the honeycomb mesh, paired with fang-style deflectors on both sides. This styling will absolutely be recognizable in a parking lot.

From the side, this fastback shape, paired with 19-inch two-tone wheels (exclusive to the top trim) and a continuous waistline, forcefully gives the 4.78-meter body the dynamic feel of a cheetah pouncing on prey.

But what needs criticism is that although the hidden door handles look premium, northern folks need to watch out for the risk of freezing in winter.

The moment you pull open the door, the 15.6-inch central control screen hits you right in the face. This size is a full circle larger than the Tesla Model 3.

The key point is that the 8155 chip is standard across the entire lineup. In actual testing, voice wake-up takes less than 1 second, and it can simultaneously execute multiple commands for navigation + music + air conditioning.

The wireless charging pad has been upgraded to 50W fast charging. In actual testing, it can charge an iPhone 15 to 80% in 30 minutes.

The ace combo of seat ventilation + massage has been extended down to the 150,000 yuan class, truly a blessing for long-distance driving.

However, it should be noted that although the piano lacquer panel looks premium, it is a total fingerprint collector. Those with OCD should remember to bring a suede cloth.

This time Chery has finally passed down its signature 2.0T engine. The 187 kW + 390 N·m parameters directly crush the Geely Xingrui's 2.0T.

Media who tested it reveal that 0-100 km/h acceleration can hit 6.8 seconds. This kind of performance in a front-wheel-drive car is truly ferocious.

But note that the 7DCT gearbox matched to the 2.0T model still has slight jerkiness when following traffic at low speed. Although the 1.6T version's parameters are not weak (145 kW/290 N·m), it is more suitable for laid-back drivers.

For the chassis, the combination of front MacPherson + rear multi-link is tuned toward sportiness. Feedback over speed bumps is on the firm side, but cornering support is indeed strong.

If you have a budget of 150,000 yuan and want a performance family sedan, go straight for the 2.0T top trim. The L2+ driving assistance and Sony audio are absolutely worth the price. For those mainly using it for family purposes, it's recommended to choose the 1.6T mid trim, with fuel consumption controllable at around 7L.

Key reminder: after it launches in April, be sure to go for a test drive, focusing on the smoothness of the dual-clutch and the fluency of the infotainment system.

If blind pre-ordering currently includes 5 years of free maintenance, it can be considered, but absolutely do not be fooled by sales into adding a 10,000-yuan gift package. Those things can all be bought for half price on Taobao.

Compared with the Xingrui and UNI-V at the same price, the Arrizo 8 PRO indeed has advantages in power parameters and smart configuration, but brand premium is still a hard flaw. It is recommended that Chery put more effort into marketing and not let a good product fail because of low awareness.

In addition, the lack of a hybrid across the entire lineup is a pity. With oil prices fluctuating now, if a 1.5T plug-in hybrid version could be offered, it would absolutely crush the BYD Qin PLUS.