Chery Tiggo 9 (2025 - )

You may be more acquainted with the brand Chery than you realise.

If you've spotted any new vehicles adorned with the names 'Jaecoo' or 'Omoda', these belong to two sub-brands established by Chery.

Jaecoo and Omoda are just a couple of the numerous Chinese car manufacturers that have recently launched operations in the UK.

Some, particularly brands like BYD, have made quite an impression, demonstrating a surprisingly refined performance despite being newcomers on British roads.

While Chery has several other brands under its umbrella, it has also begun promoting vehicles under its own name.

The Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 are SUV models – and now we turn our attention to the flagship, the large Tiggo 9.

This model is built on the same T1X platform as all of Chery's other offerings, including those from Jaecoo and Omoda, but it is the largest of the lineup.

It will take on rivals such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Peugeot 5008, within a market segment that, while not overly crowded, remains highly competitive.

Our motoring journalist, Tim Barnes-Clay, had the opportunity to take the Tiggo 9 for a test drive to see how it fares.
 

The Tiggo 9 has really good acceleration, doing the sacred 0-62mph run in just 5.4 seconds.

Thanks to its torque, getting this 2.2-ton lump off the line becomes surprisingly easy, offering good traction and a swift power surge. Merging into traffic or overtaking on the motorway feels effortless, and the engine remains relatively quiet even when you really push it.

Although the 9 only features a three-speed transmission, it performs surprisingly well. The engine primarily drives the front wheels, but it can run purely on electric power at lower speeds, re-engaging the petrol mill when necessary.

The suspension leans towards the softer side, but that makes things nice and comfy. Alas, the big alloy rollers can make rough bitumen more noticeable - and on uneven surfaces, the Chery can feel bouncy, but it handles well for its size - especially around bends.

At lower speeds, the steering feels very light, making it easier to navigate city driving despite the car's bulk. When tackling sharper bends, the steering is accurate and smooth, albeit still a bit too light for some tastes. It manages to cope with body roll better than expected. The vehicle is generally more enjoyable to drive than several competitors, with wind and road noise, especially on motorways, being adequately muted.

The Tiggo 9 offers various all-wheel drive options, including modes for Snow, Sand, and Off-Road. While these settings function as intended, it's unlikely many will use this SUV for adventures in rugged terrains.

It is also not suited for towing heavy trailers, with a limited towing capacity of 1,500kg (braked), which is lower than most contenders and significantly less than many premium PHEVs.

Furthermore, the regenerative braking can sometimes feel erratic, abruptly bringing you to a stop as you slow down. Although you can adjust the braking intensity, it's only done through the touchscreen.
 

At first glance, you might mistakenly think you're observing a German beast, but that's certainly not the case.

It doesn't take long for this misconception to fade, as the Tiggo lineup clearly distinguishes itself from Audis and BMWs. The front is dominated by a wide, hexagonal grille that commands attention.

Sculpted cheekbones, reminiscent of air intakes, house the daytime running lights, while sleek, elongated headlights sit just above, following the contour of the bonnet.

Rugged cladding runs along the lower edges, including around the wheel arches, and a defined crease in the lower doors adds character to the sides of the vehicle.

The third-row window stretches impressively back, which reduces the bulkiness of the rear windscreen pillars. The rump of the car boasts a sophisticated look, highlighted by a horizontal lightbar that spans the tailgate and elegantly complements a sizable, cladded bumper.

The Tiggo 9 is offered solely in one trim, dubbed Summit. Equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels, it features an in-your-face 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, alongside a digital radio, voice command functionality, a 10.25-inch digital driver's display, and a head-up display for enhanced visibility.

In terms of comfort and luxury, it features a 14-speaker Sony premium audio system, ambient interior lighting, dual-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated seats in both the front and rear (with the front seats offering a massage function). Additionally, the steering wheel is heated for extra comfort.

The vehicle also comes with a 12-way electrically adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, a six-way electrically adjustable front passenger seat, a panoramic sunroof, and a powered tailgate. There is also a wireless smartphone charger and a comprehensive '540-degree' camera system.

Powering this large seven-seater is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with electric assistance. If you're sceptical about its ability to transport a larger family, you might want to reconsider.

To elaborate, it features three electric motors - one at the rear and two at the front - ensuring all-wheel drive. When combined with the petrol engine, this setup produces an impressive 428PS and 580 Nm of torque, delivering more than double the muscle of the next SUV in Chery's lineup, the slightly smaller Tiggo 8.

Renowned as the 'Super Hybrid', this vehicle is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that stands out because its engine can function as a generator. It allows the battery to recharge without being plugged in. This feature activates automatically when the battery reaches 20% capacity.

Overall, the Tiggo 9 is an attractive motor that certainly stands out, possessing enough charisma to challenge its rivals.

Finding a comfortable driving position in the Tiggo 9 is a breeze. The cabin is impressively spacious, and the front seats come equipped with electric adjustments, heating, ventilation, and even a massage feature.
In terms of convenience, front and rear parking sensors are standard, along with the earlier mentioned 540-degree surround-view camera that creates a virtual image of the surroundings, allowing you to see what's around the vehicle as if it were transparent.
As a large SUV, the Tiggo 9 offers ample space - tall front seat passengers will find plenty of headroom and legroom.
The middle row continues this trend, providing enough room for three people to sit side by side during longer trips. However, the third row is snug for two adults and is therefore better for rug rats.
When it comes to cargo, boot capacity stands at 143 litres with all seven seats active - typical for vehicles in this category. Fortunately, folding down the third row balloons the space to an impressive 819 litres.
The second row of chairs can be folded 60:40, pushing total boot capacity to an expansive 2,021 litres. However, competitors like the Peugeot e-5008 and Kia Sorento PHEV provide a more flexible 40:20:40 split configuration.
On the downside, there's no underfloor storage or 'frunk' (front trunk). While the vehicle does have several compartments for stowing small items, the glove box and door bins are not as roomy as you might expect in a car of this magnitude.
You will find additional storage options in the central armrest cubby and beneath the floating centre console, as well as a tray designed to hold a couple of smartphones.
 

The 9 has an impressive all-electric range, complemented by its 71kW DC charging capability.

While this charging speed may not be particularly remarkable compared with fully electric vehicles, some of which can charge at 350kW, it’s worth noting that DC charging is less common in plug-in hybrids, where many models achieve only about 10% of Chery's rate.

For a quick 30-80% DC charge, expect a wait of around 18 minutes. If you opt for a home wallbox at its maximum AC charging rate of 6.6kW, a full 0-100% charge will take approximately five hours and 20 minutes.

The Tiggo 9 has an impressive fuel economy of 470mpg, with CO2 emissions at just 14g/km.

However, it's important to note that this efficiency drops to 41mpg when the battery is depleted. Therefore, keeping it charged is essential rather than relying solely on the petrol engine. 
As a company car, it's a great option due to its low Benefit-in-Kind tax implications.
 

The Tiggo 9 stands out for its practicality, with a roomy, comfortable interior, solid performance, and surprisingly adept handling for a vehicle of its size.

The Chery is equipped with an impressive array of features and comes at a price that undercuts many rivals from more recognised brands.

With its near-record PHEV electric range and charging capabilities, the 9 is also brimming with technology.

That said, the infotainment system can be cumbersome, and while the interior exudes a refined appearance, some of the plastic materials used may feel less premium.

Nonetheless, it's hard to ignore the value this Chery offers, with a list of standard equipment that many luxury-brand competitors struggle to match.

Indeed, the Tiggo 9 offers an incredible deal compared with its more vanilla challengers.