Chery Tiggo 9 review: the top Tiggo, we're just not sure if it's the best Tiggo

Chery is a relatively new brand for New Zealand (only launched here last year), so it's not easy to keep track of all the Tiggos. There are small ones, medium sized ones... many, many Tiggos. Not surprising, given it's a long-standing model name for Chery's crossover SUVs in China, dating back over 20 years.

This one's easy to get your head around, though. The Tiggo 9 is the brand's largest, most powerful and most luxurious SUV. It's a 7-seater that aims to offer a lot of technology and luxury at a very sharp price; you know that because it has "Luxury Technology" written on its alloy wheels.

The Tiggo 9 is a substantial step up on its Tiggo 7 (5-seat) and Tiggo 8 (7-seat) siblings in every way, but especially the powertrain.

They're all "super hybrids" (see our explainer-story here if you want to know what that's all about), but where the 7 and 8 are lower-powered and FWD, the Tiggo 9 boasts a complicated arrangement of 3 electric motors and a 3-speed dedicated hybrid transmission to provide AWD and a serious turn of speed: 315kW in the right circumstances (it's complicated) and 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds.

It has a lot in common under the skin with the Omoda 9 (that's a Chery sub-brand, of course): not quite as much power, but two extra seats. They're similar prices, so think of the Omoda as the fancier, more stylish one and the Chery as the more practical one. 

On the outside: what are the Chery Tiggo 9's main design features?

The Tiggo 9 won't wow you with its styling detail, athough plenty of people did seem quite taken with our test car's Aurora Green paint finish (the only colour that comes free-of-charge, strangely) and ornate 20-inch alloy wheels. Both are a bit like something you'd see on a 2000s Jaguar sedan; we mean that in a nice way.

The Tiggo 9 is a substantial step up on its Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 siblings in every way, but especially the powertrain.

Otherwise, the look is neat enough and nicely aligned with the rest of the Tiggo family. And no, it doesn't share body panels with the Omoda 9, despite the broadly similar profiles.

We're still working out Chery's badging policies, but to be fair it seems Chery is still working that out too. It proudly calls its plug-in tech Chery Super Hybrid (CSH), but it hasn't used that as a badge on its Tiggos to date. The 7 and 8 simply say "Plug-in Hybrid" on the tailgate, as do the pictures we're seen of right-hand drive 9s in other markets.

But hang on, our Kiwi cars do indeed say "CSH" on the back. Whether that's a change going forward or simply a bit of marketing inconsistency remains to be seen.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Chery Tiggo 9 cabin like?

The 9's cabin design is very similar to the Tiggo 8 CSH, with Chery's more EV-aligned layout that includes the steering column-mounted gear-selector, huge 15.6-inch central screen and a paucity of buttons. Other Chery models such as the Tiggo 7 CSH and Tiggo 8 petrol have a very different configuration, with a few more physical touchpoints.

The equipment list wants for little: this car will happily warm, cool or massge your back, for example.

For example, you even have to go into the screen to adjust the side mirrors, which is potentially infuriating but can be achieved with a simple shortcut-swipe down from the top (and you can set them to auto-dip). Similarly, while phone projection takes over the entire display, a quick flick upwards from the bottom of the frame reveals a dock for the main OS. Overall, not bad.

Chery's signature shiny steering wheel controls are not as usable. Presumably they're supposed to remind you of Volkswagen ID-style haptic controls, but they're actually still the clicky kind and can be quite vauge - especially the adaptive cruise when you're trying to adjust small speed increments.

You wouldn't mistake the Tiggo 9 for a luxury car, but the materials, fit and finish are still impressive. And of course the equipment list wants for little: this car will happily warm, cool or massge your bum, for example. There are speakers in the driver's head restraint for better phone-call privacy. Windows fogging up a bit? The air-con will automatically fire up the demisting function and a nice man or lady (your choice) will announce what's happening and why.

Accomodation in the second row is generous, but despite the Tiggo 9's large-segment status the 3rd row is a a squeeze. Headroom is a particular issue for adult occupants: you'll find your 'do pressing gently on the sloping roofline.

Access is compromised, too. The second row is split 60/40 and the smaller section tilts and pivots forward for entry/exit to the very back. But it's on the right-hand (ie traffic) side, an unfortunate carryover from the Chery's left-hand drive home market.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Chery Tiggo 9 like to drive?

Just to clarify, the Tiggo is a "super hybrid", which in essence means it's a plug-in hybrid with a huge battery that puts the emphasis on electric-drive. So even when the 34kWh battery is flat, the petrol engine is mostly there to make electricity - although the trick 3-speed dedicated hybrid transmisison means it can also drive the front wheels when required. The rear axle is electric-only.

The Tiggo 9 super hybrid feels like a pure-EV to drive, no matter how much charge is in the battery.

The EV range is enormous. The 170km manufacturer claim is from the rather lenient NEDC standard, but our car showed 160km-plus at times. You'll certainly get at least 140km in normal driving and probably more. You can fast-charge it (there's a proper DC port) at up to 71kW, which is decently quick for a PHEV.

More to the point, the Tiggo 9 feels like a pure-EV no matter how much charge is in the battery. Takeoff is always under electric power and the soundtrack from the petrol engine is so muted, you're genuinely not sure whether it's running or not most of the time. For a while we took to driving with the energy flow meter displayed on the infotainment screen, just so we could see how it was all working.

Refinement-wise it's a definite step up from the 7 and 8, and those are pretty swish too. The ride is quiet and reasonably supple, although there's the usual EV-characteristic fussiness to the secondary ride over little bumps and ripples. Not enough to greatly disturb the overall serenity, though.

The Tiggo 9's party trick is that 0-100km/h acceleration of 5.4 seconds. As with the Omoda 9, having access to full output (315kW in this case) is a matter of having the right mode, a healthy battery and waiting for several stars to align. But if you're in Sport, have plenty of charge and are feeling brave, you've got a good shot at embarrasing the hot hatch parked next to you at the traffic lights.

It's not an SUV made for going fast around corners, though. Again, dynamically a whole level up from the 7 and 8, with more substance to the steering and a less understeery, more responsive chassis - thanks partly to the complex AWD technology at work. But still not something you should hurry along a narrow backroad: it's wide, heavy and not 100% keen on changing direction quickly if you misjudge a corner.

It's not entirely keen on changing direction Drive-to-Reverse, either. If you're doing a 3-point turn, you have to be very patient clicking the electronic selector from D to R and back again: you basically have to come to a complete stop, select the new gear and wait until you see it displayed. Otherwise... could be trouble.

But the ADAS stuff is not bad at all (accepting that it's generally not ideal in new-wave Chinese cars, of course). The driver distraction monitor seems sensibly calibrated and relatively muted when it does issue a warning, while the other common bugbear of lane-keep assistance is also well handled: the automated-steering is firm but smooth, pushing back in one linear movement.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Chery Tiggo 9 warranty and servicing situation?

The Tiggo 9 carries a 7-year/unlimited km vehicle warranty and 8 years/unlimited kilometres for the traction battery. Servicing is required every 15,000km/12 months.

On the whole: what do we think of the Chery Tiggo 9?

The Tiggo 9's superior position within the Chery portfolio is clear: it not only has more presence, but the powertrain, chassis and refinement are next-level. The EV range is incredible. It's an impressive thing in its own way.

But we can't help thinking the Tiggo 9 is also in a bit of a no-man's land. The 3rd row accommodation and access is only average, so if you're fine with that and still need the extra chairs, it might pay to look at the Tiggo 8 CSH, which is $18k cheaper and has a similar cabin environment.

Or if you're drawn to the Tiggo 9's performance and refinement, there's the Omoda 9 - which is pretty much the same thing in 5-seat form, but with sexier styling, a much fancier dashboard/interior... and even more speed.

Chery Tiggo 9 FAQs

What kind of car is the Chery Tiggo 9?

A large 7-seat SUV.

Does the Chery Tiggo 9 have hybrid or EV technology?

It's a "super hybrid", with a large 34kWh plug-in battery and an emphasis on electric drive.

What’s the fuel economy of the Chery Tiggo 9?

The official figure is 1.5 litres per 100km, but as with any PHEV the real-world efficiency depends entirely on how often the vehicle is charged.

Is the Chery Tiggo 9 safe?

The Tiggo 9 has not been tested by ANCAP and does not currently carry a NZ-specific safety rating from RightCar.

What safety and assistance features does the Chery Tiggo 9 have?

What are the Chery Tiggo 9's main rivals?

• Chery Tiggo 8 CSH ($48,990): If you don't need the speed or AWD, Tiggo 8 looks good for $18k less
• Omoda 9 ($68,990): Same platform and core tech as Tiggo 9, more power, 2 fewer chairs
• Hyundai Santa Fe Active ($69,990): This money gets you a petrol model, with an extra $5k for hybrid
• Mitsubishi Outlander XLS PHEV ($71,990): Not as spacious, but good tech and 103km EV range
• Skoda Kodiaq+ ($64,500): Not hybrid, not nearly as quick and FWD... but an awesome family 7-seater