Chery's flagship SUV, the Chery Tiggo 8 , has arrived with a refresh. It combines generous space with robust power and smart technology, aiming to deliver a high-quality driving experience for family journeys.

The Chery Tiggo 8  offers two powertrain options. The entry-level version is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine. While not yet independently tested in the Chery Tiggo 8 , data from the related Tiggo 7 model suggests its 145 hp output provides smooth and adequate performance for daily use.

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant features a more advanced hybrid system. With a combined output of 201 hp, it achieves a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 8.5 seconds. The electric motor delivers responsive power, making the car feel nimble from a standstill and during overtaking. However, in pure-electric mode, lifting off the accelerator reveals a lack of energy-recovery braking, resulting in a slight coasting sensation. It is equipped with an 18.4 kWh battery, offering an official pure-electric range of approximately 56 miles (90 km). This surpasses the Peugeot 5008 PHEV but falls short of the Kodiaq PHEV, which offers over 70 miles of electric range (though only as a five-seater).

The Chery Tiggo 8  PHEV's chassis is tuned for comfort, with the suspension effectively absorbing minor road imperfections—a relative strength in its class. However, body roll becomes more noticeable on undulating roads or during faster cornering, leaving room for improvement in handling stability. The steering feels light and lacks clear feedback, even in Sport mode, which impacts driver confidence when pushing the car. The brake tuning is sensitive, requiring careful pedal modulation at low speeds and in traffic, though braking becomes more linear as speed increases. On a positive note, cabin quietness is commendable. It is serene in EV mode, engine noise is well-suppressed when it kicks in, and standard double-glazed windows help keep wind and road noise at bay.

Despite its accessible pricing, the interior of the Chery Tiggo 8 does not rely on cheap materials as one might expect. In fact, most contact surfaces are trimmed with soft-touch materials, with hard plastics confined to only a few minor areas. The overall perceived quality even surpasses some rivals positioned at a higher price point.

Build quality is generally commendable, with components fitting together tightly and securely. The few physical buttons and knobs that remain offer a satisfying tactile feel. Notably, compared to the Tiggo 7, the Chery Tiggo 8  features fewer physical controls, retaining only essential functions like front defrost, drive mode selection, and steering wheel buttons. Frequently used settings, such as for the climate control, are managed through the large 15.6-inch touchscreen—a design choice that can prove distracting while driving.

The central touchscreen itself boasts excellent resolution and a large size that aids readability. However, testing revealed a slight lag in response time, and swipe gestures lack optimal smoothness, particularly when Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are active. Overall, while the Chery Tiggo 8  excels in material choice and build, there is room for refinement in its human-machine interface.

The Chery Tiggo 8 establishes a highly comfortable base for the driver. The standard power-adjustable driver's seat, combined with a steering wheel offering a wide range of adjustment, allows most drivers to easily achieve an ideal driving position with proper alignment to the pedals and wheel.The seating position is relatively high, enhancing comfort while also providing a commanding view of the road ahead. This elevated stance improves visibility over the front of the vehicle and at intersections, helping to minimize blind spots.

Rearward visibility is also strong. A large rear windshield and generously sized rear-quarter windows significantly expand the field of view. For parking maneuvers, the Chery Tiggo 8 comes standard with front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera. The range-topping Summit variant further upgrades this to a 360-degree surround-view system, offering comprehensive visual assistance.

“To get around the lack of buttons, you can use speech recognition. The thing is, I found its responses hit and miss, often not understanding what I asked of it.” – Darren Moss, Deputy editor

The Chery Tiggo 8 demonstrates strong practicality in its cabin space planning. Front-row space is generous, offering ample head, leg, and shoulder room even for occupants over 1.8 meters tall. Storage solutions are thoughtfully designed, including door bins, twin cup holders, dual phone slots (one with wireless charging), a cooled center console box, and a large under-floor storage area. While a few compartments are modest in size, they are sufficient for daily needs.

The second row is one of the Chery Tiggo 8 's highlights. Knee room is particularly impressive, surpassing models like the Peugeot 5008 even with the seats slid fully back. Good shoulder width and a minimal transmission tunnel hump ensure reasonable comfort for the middle passenger in a three-abreast seating. However, the third row is best suited for occasional use or children. Headroom becomes tight for adults, requiring a slouched posture for basic comfort. While the sliding second-row seats allow a trade-off between third-row legroom and cargo space, overall third-row utility falls short of the 5008.

For cargo, the Chery Tiggo 8  offers flexible seating. The second row folds and tumbles in a 60/40 split for easy transition between passenger and load-carrying modes. Due to hybrid system packaging, the PHEV variant's boot capacity measures 117 liters with all seven seats up and 494 liters in five-seat mode—figures that trail some pure-petrol rivals. Nonetheless, additional under-floor and seat-base storage compartments partly compensate for the on-paper shortfall.

“While some rivals might have more versatile 40/20/40 split folding rear seats, I found it useful that even the Tiggo 8’s front passenger seat can be folded flat, making carrying really long loads possible.” – Doug Revolta, Head of video

In terms of value for money, the Chery Tiggo 8 presents a compelling proposition in the market. Opting for the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant increases its price point, yet it remains significantly more affordable than key rivals in its class, enhancing its appeal to private buyers. For company car users, the PHEV version is also a pragmatic choice, thanks to a pure-electric range sufficient for daily commuting and relatively low CO₂ emissions.

Regarding efficiency, the petrol-powered Chery Tiggo 8  returns a combined fuel economy of approximately 36 mpg (around 7.8 l/100km), a figure slightly behind some competitors. The PHEV model posts more favourable consumption figures in hybrid mode, with real-world efficiency improving further if the battery is kept adequately charged. It supports DC fast charging, capable of replenishing the battery from 20% to 80% in about 20 minutes—a relatively quick pace for the segment.

On safety, the Chery Tiggo 8  secured a four-star rating (out of five) in Euro NCAP testing. A detailed review of the protocol indicates its performance in adult occupant protection, particularly for front passengers, was marginally stronger. It is noteworthy that under the more stringent 2025 testing criteria, the Chery Tiggo 8 's safety performance remains substantially ahead of models like the Dacia Jogger, which received only one star in 2021. The SUV comes well-equipped with standard safety features including AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking), Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitoring, and up to ten airbags—some capable of remaining inflated for up to six seconds in a secondary collision—offering a comprehensive suite of both active and passive safety systems.

1.What is the Chery Chery Tiggo 8  called in China?

In the Chinese domestic market, this model is officially marketed as the “Tiggo 8 PLUS.” It should be noted that the name “Tiggo 8 Pro” is primarily used for export markets.

2.What is the English name of the Tiggo 9?

The official English designation for the Tiggo 9 is simply “Tiggo 9.”

3.What is Chery called in China?

In China, the company operates under its original Chinese name, “Chery” . Its global brand identity is “CHERY.” Headquartered in Wuhu, Anhui Province, Chery is a leading Chinese independent automotive manufacturer.

4.Which brands does Chery own?

Under the Chery Group’s multi-brand strategy, the company currently manages four core automotive brands:

CHERY: The flagship brand, offering mainstream passenger vehicles.

EXEED: Positioned as a premium marque targeting the high-end segment.

JETOUR: Focused on travel-oriented and light off-road SUVs.

iCAR: Dedicated to new energy vehicles (NEVs) and tailored to younger, tech-savvy consumers.

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