2026 Chery Tiggo 9 Review

Once a brand with a questionable reputation in this part of the world, Chery’s re-launch here has been more successful, with the line-up now encompassing seven models, all of which are SUVs.

This is Chery’s flagship, the $66,990 Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid. The ‘Ultimate AWD’ is the sole variant and as the name suggests, the standard kit is pretty impressive.

This includes the 20s, puddle lights, LED headlights and DRLs, plus the powered tailgate. However, the real highlights are found on the inside. There’s a panoramic sunroof, six-way power adjust seats, which are heated and ventilated in the front two rows, with a massaging function for those up front. There’s also a heated wheel, a wireless phone charger, and ambient lighting. As for tech, there’s a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a 15.6-inch infotainment display with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A head-up-display and a 14-speaker Sony sound system round out the impressive list.  

With all this considered, $67,000 doesn’t sound like a big ask for this Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid.  

First Impressions Count 

At first glance, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it as European but the large grille and heavy helping of chrome confirm its Chinese origins. It’s a similar story inside, with the large cabin offering a simplistic layout. The black leather interior hints at something more upmarket, while the large displays feel convincingly Chinese.  

While there is a button panel on the centre console, it’s of little real use. To do anything meaningful, like change the temperature, I found myself toggling the air con on and off to minimise Apple CarPlay. There might be an easier way to access it, but a lack of tactile controls for something as significant as the air con seems like a massive oversight.

The exterior camera system was impressive however with its ability to let you see the SUV as if a drone were flying around the outside, and the angles can be scrolled between. I found this quite helpful when maneuvering in and around Auckland’s tight inner city carparks.  

With every function imaginable, the front seats are very comfortable and spacious. It’s a similar story in the second row, with the ability to slide the bench seat forward and back, depending on where space is needed. As for the third row, it’s more of a nice-to-have, than somewhere you’d want to spend much time. At just 4.8-metres in length, this Tiggo 9 is quite compact by seven-seat SUV standards, and you can feel this compromise back here. With these rear seats folded, the Tiggo provides a generous 819-litres of luggage space.  

A Fair Chunk of Grunt 

The Tiggo 9’s hybrid drivetrain is far from simple. The plug-in system pairs a 1.5T petrol with an electric drive system. The 105kW/215Nm engine can send its output to the wheels when required through what Chery calls a ‘Dedicated Hybrid Transmission’. On the electric front, it uses three motors, with two at the front, and one fitted to the SUV’s rear axle. When these all combine, output peaks at 315kW and 580Nm. This is enough to send the 2.2-tonne SUV to 100km/h in 5.4-seconds.

The 34kWh battery provides an electric driving range of up to 170km (NEDC). While the petrol engine is an integral part of the system, it really only serves as a generator (when the battery is discharged) for the electric motors, which drive the wheels. This is evident when the vehicle rolls out as it’s completely silent, and when the engine does kick in, it’s barely noticeable.

Chery claims a combined fuel economy figure of just 1.4L/100km for the Tiggo 9, but it depends on your charging regime. Once the EV range was done, we saw fuel economy spike to the 7L/100km region with intense driving, but settled in the low 6s on the motorway.  

Speaking of driving, the Tiggo 9 is very composed on the road. The ride offered is nice enough, although it does seem to get unsettled over speedbumps and such.

On the performance front, it has more than enough grunt. Though touted as AWD, the front motors easily light up the forward wheels. I’m guessing it’s more of an on-demand AWD system, as the rear only ever kicked in over wet tarmac with a heavy helping of throttle. It performs impressively through the corners, and although almost no feel is communicated through the steering wheel, I felt confident pushing it.  

With so many affordable Chinese SUVs on the market, buyers are spoiled for choice on the hybrid front. You’ve got the likes of BYD with the Sealion 8, the Omoda 9 (on the same platform), and Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV. All of these options are reasonably priced, and offer a decent electric range on top of an impressive fuel economy figure. And let’s be real, with fuel prices on the rise, it’s those two points that are going to be the top priority for buyers in this segment. Chery’s seven-year/unlimited mileage warranty combined with its eight-year/unlimited battery warranty will also sweeten the deal and offers peace of mind for years to come.  

Chery Tiggo 9 

$66,990  /  1.4L/100km  /  32g/km
0-100 km/h 5.4s
Engine  1.5L ,IL4, DI/T
Hybrid output  315kW / 580Nm
EV range  170km (NEDC)
Drivetrain  2-speed hybrid trans, e-AWD
Weight (claimed)  2220kg