Extremely ordinary
The Chery group ran into a branding snag with a premium sub-brand in Russia. The Exeed name collided with the Kia XCeed model. And yes, the clash was that the names sounded alike, which caused frustration for a time.
To smooth things out, the company introduced the product as CheryExeed. After a year, the issue was resolved and the brand reverted to the name used in the Chinese market.
Alongside the renaming, the first model, the TXL mid-size crossover, received a subtle update.
Exeed TXL leans toward a restrained palette in color. The lineup sticks to white, black, and gray tones. All trims come with four-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Large but five-seater
At nearly 4.8 meters in length, the Exeed TXL could easily host seven passengers. For reference, the similarly sized Chery Tiggo 8 offers three rows in every version.
Presumably for prestige reasons the Chinese brand chose not to fit a third row in Exeed. So the TXL remains a comfortable five-seater. The spare wheel sits neatly in a dedicated trunk niche, avoiding the exterior hang under the floor.
The second row is particularly spacious because TXL is an extended model. In China, the base variant is the TX.
Fashion stuff
The Chinese automaker has learned to refine not just the big details but also the small touches that can captivate a buyer while preserving the vehicle’s high status.
For instance, the brand name lights up between the headlights on the TXL. This feature is prohibited on the road, but the doors seem to wink at each other when opened and closed in a playful way.
Inside, the cabin features attractive decorative inserts with a lack of glossy black surfaces. The metal-looking inserts are machined or imitate nickel for a premium feel.
Turbo and AI-92
Following a common practice among Chinese manufacturers, AI-92 gasoline is approved for the turbocharged engines. The 186 hp 1.6 engine can run on cheaper fuel, saving a bit at the pump given current prices.
Choosing the Sport Edition with the 2.0 turbo raises the fuel requirement to AI-95. It delivers more horsepower, though not dramatically more than the 1.6 option, and a larger variant with 249 hp previously appeared on the older Exeed VX.
Fashion options
The 2.0 engine option joined the lineup last summer. The upgrade carries a price premium of around 400 thousand, but it includes more than just the engine upgrade.
Notable features in this version include a built-in video recorder, retractable footrests, full seat heating, a full-sized spare wheel on a cast disk, noise-reducing glass at the front, tinted rear windows, and multiple USB ports including Type A and Type C. The sporty touch is accented by red brake calipers.
The dashboard follows modern conventions with a generous number of LCD displays that supplement the instrument cluster.
Price and popularity
Last year, the Exeed TXL crossed the 5,000 unit mark in sales, a solid achievement for a premium Chinese crossover. It ranked among the top ten best-selling Chinese cars. The price range starts around 4 million rubles and goes up to about 4.65 million rubles before discounts, which remains a notable drawback for some buyers.
Nominated for the Grand Prix Behind the Wheel
New models are eligible to compete in the Driving Grand Prix Behind the Wheel for the year 2023 if they appeared in 2022 or represent a generation change. Restyling variants also count, and the TXL is part of this consideration.
- Read the forecast about how long the Chinese crossover might stay in production in Behind the Wheel.
- Drive can be explored on social channels for more impressions.