Chery's flagship SUV: Luxury at a budget price

Chinese brands have had remarkable success over the last couple of years, with sales booming and capturing a significant share of the UK market.

It's not hard to see why – they offer low prices, advanced technology (some would argue a little too advanced), and cheap finance deals. That's a heady mix for those looking for a motor in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis - not foregetting the seven-year warranty.

However, doubts remain over uncertain resale values and little data about long-term reliability. Chery is one of the biggest Chinese manufacturers, owning both fast-selling Omoda and Jaecoo, but has now aunched vehicles under its own name. And so far, they are proving impressive. Following a drive in the Chery Tiggo 7, this was followed by a test in its flagship model, the Tiggo 9.

Striking profile

It's huge, nearly five metres long, and is a full seven-seater plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive. It is packed with equipment, has a range of around 650 miles (WLTP) and undercuts rivals significantly with a price tag of around £43k. It can also double up as a removal van; when we moved a three-seater settee, the flat loading space swallowed it up. Safety kit includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera, all standard.

Known as the Tiggo 9 CSH (Chery Super Hybrid), it's stylish and offers a high‑end interior. On the outside, it cuts a bold, imposing figure, with a large chrome grille, slim LED headlights, and sharp creases along the flanks that give it a distinctly premium stance – though the oversized badging does little to hide its Chinese origins. It comes in a single, fully loaded trim called Summit, with everything from heated seats to a panoramic sunroof as standard.

Powertrain

The plug-in hybrid pairs a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with twin electric motors and an automatic transmission. The combination delivers a combined 428 PS and 580 Nm of torque. Floor it, and it races to 62 mph in just 5.4 seconds – though the acceleration is smooth rather than brutal.

Just as impressive is its class-leading 91-mile electric range (WLTP) and a total range of over 650 miles, aided by a 34.46 kWh battery. That battery can rapid-charge from 30–80 per cent in around 18 minutes and also features 6.6 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, letting you power laptops or camping gear.

On the road

It's a pleasant drive. The car runs in pure EV mode at low speeds, then combines both power sources for strong acceleration. It feels almost EV-like with instant response, and even when the petrol engine kicks in, it remains quiet and refined.

Handling is not its strong point – it is, after all, nearly 16 feet long – and the steering is adequate at best. But keep it in a straight line, and it's a blast. There are three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – plus Snow, Sand and Off-Road settings for tougher conditions. Not needed during this hot summer test, but good to have in reserve.

Interior and technology

Inside, the standard kit reads like a luxury brand's options list. There are heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, with the second row also heated and ventilated. Central is a 15.6-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The central screen controls navigation, smartphone connectivity, and infotainment, with a 14-speaker Sony sound system.

My continued criticism of these systems is that they can be overly distracting. Some controls feel less like a quick setting and more like finding a needle in a haystack within a sub-menu of a sub-menu. Some safety assistance features, for instance, seem buried.

Practicality

It's a genuine seven-seater with a 2+3+2 layout, though the rearmost seats are better suited to children. Boot space varies from 143 litres with all seven seats in use, expanding to 819 litres with the third row folded, and a cavernous 2,021 litres with both rear rows folded flat – enough to swallow furniture with ease.

Chery has a growing dealer network, and the vehicle comes with a 7-year/unlimited-mile vehicle warranty and an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for the hybrid battery, plus roadside assistance.

Verdict

While uncertainties around resale values and long-term durability remain, Chery is making a strong case by offering a huge, tech-laden seven-seat PHEV at a price that seriously undercuts its rivals, backed by a warranty package designed to give buyers peace of mind.

Factfile

• Chery Tiggo 9 CSH Summit
• Price: £ 43,105 OTR
• Mechanical: 428 PS, 1.5-litre turbo petrol with twin electric motors and 34.46 kWh battery, driving all four wheels via an auto transmission
• Max speed: 115 mph
• 0 to 62 mph: 5.4 sec
• Electric range: 91 miles (WLTP)
• CO2 emissions: 33 g/km
• BiK rating: 8%
• Warranty: 7 years/unlimited miles (vehicle), 8 years/100,000 miles (battery)