Chery Tiggo 8 (2025 - )

Chery, as a parent company, oversees both Omoda and Jaecoo, which have already made their mark in the UK’s auto market. However, the automaker is now set to make its debut under its own brand.

So let’s introduce the ‘Tiggo’ range, which is now arriving in Britain, beginning with the Tiggo 7 mid-size SUV and the larger seven-seater, the Tiggo 8. Additionally, there’s a more compact Tiggo 4 crossover and the flagship Tiggo 9 large SUV on the horizon. In this review, though, we’re focusing on the Chery Tiggo 8, writes Regit motoring journalist Tim Barnes-Clay.

The 8 aims to offer a competitive edge against its rivals – while most seven-seater SUVs start at around £35,000, with many exceeding £40,000 or even £50,000, the Tiggo 8 is available from just £28,545. This price point is one that many competitors struggle to match.

But does this imply that Chery’s offering is cheap and subpar, or has the Chinese firm ingeniously managed to deliver a quality vehicle at an exceptionally reasonable price? We’ve taken the Tiggo 8 for a test drive to see how it performs.
 

The 1.5-litre engine in the Tiggo 7 impresses with its punchy performance, and this model shares many of the same traits. 

However, because the Tiggo 8 is a larger vehicle, the non-hybrid version will feel the strain of its extra weight more than its smaller counterpart. This means that while it may work well for solo trips, you might find it less satisfying during journeys with all seven seats filled.

Opting for the Super Hybrid appears to be the smarter choice, as the electric motor enhances performance, reducing the 0-62mph acceleration time from 9.8 seconds to a snappier 8.5 seconds. 

The Super Hybrid's acceleration is notably lively, delivering power promptly. It's capable of operating on electric power alone, even at motorway speeds. When the internal combustion unit kicks in, the shift is smooth and almost imperceptible.

On the downside, the transmission can be unpredictable, sometimes upshifting against your intent, but it responds quickly when downshifting under heavy acceleration. While the engine and transmission may lack polish, this shouldn't be a major concern.

In terms of handling, the Tiggo 8 isn't the most agile, as is common with larger SUVs. It prioritises comfort over cornering prowess, and it's clear that this model is designed for a smooth ride rather than sporty handling. 

During quick turns, you may notice a significant amount of body roll - more than many competitors. The steering feels overly light, offering little feedback, which complicates cornering. There's a Sport mode that stiffens the steering, yet the improvement is marginal.

The Tiggo 8 has a plush ride that effectively absorbs bumps and imperfections on rough roads. However, it can feel a bit unsettled on tricky terrain and takes a moment to regain stability afterwards.

Thanks to good sound insulation and double-glazed windows, wind and road noise are kept to a minimum. The brake regeneration system operates reasonably well, although it can feel erratic at slower speeds. You can adjust the intensity of this regenerative braking through the infotainment system.

The Chery Tiggo 8 certainly holds its own visually. Although it hails from China, the design team has clearly taken notes from its European competitors.

The front end draws some inspiration from Audi, featuring a prominent grille and slightly angled headlights that resonate with the German firm’s aesthetic, although not in an identical manner. Beneath this, there are elegant sections of shiny black bodywork, characterised by defined contours that extend towards the sides, complemented by a silver strip along the bottom. It exudes a reasonably aggressive stance without veering into overt sportiness.

From a side view, the design is more understated, highlighted by a crease that runs just above the pop-out door handles and a notable indentation in the lower section of the doors. Dark grey cladding elegantly encircles the vehicle’s outer edges, including the wheel arches.

At the rear, a lightbar stretches across the full width of the boot, widening at either end to house the indicators and reversing lights. The back bodywork then tapers inward towards the centre to accommodate the number plate. At the same time, broad single exhausts are positioned on either side at the bottom, integrated into a grey-painted diffuser-shaped design.

Overall, it presents as a rather attractive vehicle. There may not be much that sets it apart from its competitors, but if you have any reservations about buying a Chinese car, those worries should vanish the moment you set eyes on it.

The Tiggo 8 is available in two trim options, primarily because the base model is already exceptionally well-appointed.

The Aspire trim features striking 19-inch alloy wheels and a substantial 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, complete with compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB radio, navigation, voice command capabilities, along with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

Additional amenities include six-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat, LED headlights and taillights, a wireless charging pad, and an impressive 540-degree panoramic view camera.

The higher-tier Summit trim introduces further luxury features, such as four-way power adjustment for the passenger seat, a heated steering wheel, ventilated and heated seats in both the front and middle rows, as well as a massage function for the front seats. What’s more, it boasts a head-up display and a premium 12-speaker Sony audio system.

Similar to its smaller counterpart, the Tiggo 7, the Tiggo 8 is offered in both petrol-only and plug-in hybrid variants, the latter known as the Super Hybrid.

The petrol edition is powered by a 1.6-litre unit that produces 147PS, while the Super Hybrid features a slightly smaller 1.5-litre petrol engine combined with an electric mill for a total output of 204PS.
 

All variants of the Chery Tiggo 8 are equipped with a six-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, while higher trims feature a four-way electronically adjustable passenger seat. 
The driving position is notably elevated, which is typical for a reasonably sized SUV, offering excellent forward visibility through the windscreen due to the relatively slim front pillars. However, the rear visibility could be improved; although the rear pillars aren't overly large, the thick black border around the back windscreen does obstruct over-the-shoulder sightlines. 
Fortunately, both front and rear parking sensors come standard, along with a 540-degree surround-view camera system available on both trim levels. This system is termed '540-degrees' because it provides a view on the cabin screen that makes the vehicle appear translucent, allowing you to see obstacles as if they were ghosted through the car.
As expected from a robust SUV, taller drivers will find there is plenty of headroom, legroom, and shoulder space, with the cabin comfortably accommodating a couple of grown-ups up front.
The middle row is even more spacious, providing fab headroom and generous legroom, especially when the seats are slid back. It's possible to seat two adults and a kid comfortably in the middle seat, while three adults can fit next to each other without feeling cramped during longer trips. Notably, the middle seat is both narrower and slightly raised compared with the outer seats.
The third row is less spacious, with headroom somewhat limited, and legroom varies based on how far the middle row seats are positioned. Nonetheless, it should adequately accommodate a couple of children in the back.
Cargo space is rated at 117 litres with all seven seats in use, which is reasonable for seven-seaters but still modest overall. When the third row is folded down, it opens up to 494 litres of space, and folding down the middle seats provides a substantial 1,930 litres of overall storage capacity. However, the middle seats only fold in a 60:40 configuration, which isn't as versatile as a 40:20:40 split.
Inside the cabin, there are several storage options, including two front cupholders, two spots for resting smartphones (one equipped with wireless charging), and a cooled compartment in the centre console.
The glove box is adequately sized, although the door bins could be larger, but they are still functional.
 

The standard model achieves 36mpg and emits 177g/km of CO2, which isn't particularly remarkable. In contrast, the Super Hybrid excels with an impressive 235 mpg and only 31 g/km of CO2 emissions.

The Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid is capable of charging at a maximum of 40 kW DC, allowing for a 30-80% battery recharge in roughly 20 minutes. For a complete charge from 0-100% using an AC home wallbox, expect to spend around three hours, as it has a charging speed capped at 6.6 kW.
This Super Hybrid version is undoubtedly the ideal pick for company car users, featuring a substantial all-electric range of 56 miles, which qualifies it in the fourth lowest Benefit in Kind tax bracket - specifically, the 9% band for this year.

Road tax is set at £2,190 for the first year and £110 for subsequent years, with each year thereafter costing £195, subject to annual adjustments.

As Chery is a newcomer to the UK market, assessing reliability can be challenging, and we may not have a definitive understanding for a few more years. However, there is a reassuring seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty included with all models.
 

The Tiggo 8 may have its flaws, but it's evident that Chery is making a strong impression with its debut in the UK market. This SUV offers ample space and practicality, and in its Super Hybrid version, it stands out for its fuel efficiency.

While neither the conventional nor the Super Hybrid engines are particularly exciting, they’ll be satisfactory for you if you prioritise common sense over sportiness, as the driving dynamics are characterised by rather light steering and average handling.

The features found in the high-end Summit trim make it a particularly appealing choice. Its attractive interior enhances the overall allure, too - especially when considering the competitive pricing for a vehicle in this segment.

Though the Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid in the top trim is the priciest option, it's still the one recommended here, as it remains significantly more affordable than its competitors.