Chinese automaker Chery has launched its flagship Tiggo 9 SUV, with customer deliveries expected before the end of the year.
Positioned above the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8, the Tiggo 9 is a premium seven-seat family SUV and the latest in a series of models introduced by Chery as it seeks to establish itself in new markets. The model is designed to offer competitive pricing while undercutting rival European and Asian SUVs.
The Tiggo 9 is closely related to the upcoming Jaecoo 8 SUV and is available at launch with a single powertrain and trim. It features an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid system, or ‘Super Hybrid’, combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors for a total output of 428hp. The SUV can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds, making it one of the quickest vehicles in its segment. It also offers an electric-only range of up to 91 miles, the longest of any hybrid in this class.
Charging at DC speeds of up to 71kW allows a 30% to 80% battery top-up in around 18 minutes. The SUV is also equipped with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) port, enabling owners to power external devices such as laptops, kitchen appliances, and even other electric vehicles.
The Tiggo 9 is offered exclusively in a high-spec ‘Summit’ trim, featuring a 16-inch central touchscreen, a ten-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-speaker premium sound system, heated and ventilated seats for all rows, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The SUV rides on 20-inch alloy wheels.
Pricing starts at just over $43,000, making it competitively positioned against rivals like the entry-level Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid, which is priced higher and offers less equipment.