By Otsile Kadiege

Chery South Africa has officially lifted the covers off its all-new flagship SUV, the Tiggo 9, at a glitzy event held at Nasrec. Positioned above the highly popular Tiggo 8 Pro, the new seven-seater steps into the ring with bold claims of segment-leading luxury, groundbreaking technology, advanced safety features, and impressive efficiency. We joined Chery on launch day and had the chance to sample the newcomer on a drive to Pont De Val. Here’s our first taste of what the Tiggo 9 brings to the table.

Bold and sophisticated presence

Straight out the box, the Tiggo 9 makes no apologies about its intentions. This is an SUV that wants to be noticed. At first glance, you’re met with a confident, upright stance, framed by angular LED headlights with distinctive daytime running lights. The detailing is modern, sharp and rather premium — a far cry from Chery’s earlier offerings.

Adding to the visual drama are flush pop-out door handles, classy Maybach-inspired 20-inch alloy wheels, and animated LED taillights that give the SUV an unmistakable signature at night. The Tiggo 9 doesn’t scream for attention, but it certainly carries an air of quiet confidence — the kind you’d expect from a flagship.

Modern luxury meets everyday practicality

Step inside and it’s clear Chery has gone all out to make the Tiggo 9 feel like a genuine luxury contender. The cabin is dominated by a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, which is both sharp and fluid to use, supported by a 10.25-inch digital cluster and a head-up display for key driver information.

Connectivity is seamless thanks to wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while modern conveniences like a 50W wireless charging pad, panoramic sunroof, and plush premium materials remind you this isn’t just another family SUV. Audiophiles will appreciate the 14-speaker Sony sound system, which fills the cabin with rich, balanced sound.

The Tiggo 9’s practical 2+3+2 seating layout comfortably accommodates up to seven occupants across three rows. A 2,800 mm wheelbase ensures generous legroom, allowing passengers to stretch out even on longer journeys. With all seats in place, the SUV offers 448 litres of boot space, which expands to an impressive 2,065 litres when the 60:40 second-row seats are folded.

Powerful and efficient powertrains

Two powertrains will be made available: a powerful turbopetrol and an efficient, high-performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The ICE variant is motivated by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine that produces 187 kW and 390 Nm of torque. Depending on the chosen trim, power is sent to either the front wheels or all four corners via a smooth seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Fuel consumption is rated at a claimed 7.9l/100 km for the FWD Pinnacle trim and 8.3l/100 km for the AWD Vanguard trim.

The PHEV variant incorporates Chery’s advanced CSH (Chery Super Hybrid) technology and is offered with a choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. Power is provided by a 1.5-litre Dedicated Hybrid petrol engine, delivering 115 kW and 220 Nm of torque, paired with electric motors.

The FWD Pinnacle CSH is equipped with an 18.3 kWh battery, producing a combined output of 165 kW and 390 Nm, and offering an all-electric driving range of up to a claimed 90 km. The AWD Vanguard CSH features a larger 34.4 kWh battery, delivering a combined output of 455 kW and 920Nm, with an extended all-electric range of up to a claimed 160 km. Both variants offer a combined driving range of up to 1 400 km, delivering long-distance capability alongside the convenience of zero-emission driving in urban settings. Fuel consumption is as low as 1.5l/100 km for the Pinnacle CSH and 1.4l/100 km for the Vanguard CSH, with combined consumption of 5.5l/100 km and 6.2l/100 km, respectively.

Safety and advanced driver assistance systems

Safety is one of the Tiggo 9’s strongest calling cards. Both Pinnacle and Vanguard models are packed with advanced driver assistance systems, including cameras that offer up to 540-degree visibility, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aids, blind spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert and automatic emergency braking. The Vanguard takes things further with side radar, automatic parking assist and even remote parking assist.

Passive safety is equally impressive, with a class-leading 10 airbags – from dual front and side units to curtain, driver’s knee and a front centre airbag – ensuring maximum protection for all occupants. Add to that stability control, traction control, hill-start assist and brake assist, and the Tiggo 9 delivers complete peace of mind on every journey.

Driving impressions

The drive from Nasrec to Pont De Val gave us the perfect opportunity to test the Tiggo 9’s on-road manners. Straight away, you notice the SUV’s refined ride quality. The suspension setup soaks up bumps with ease, while the cabin’s excellent sound insulation keeps outside noise at bay, resulting in a serene, comfortable experience.

Push it a little harder and the Tiggo 9 shows its other side. With that much power and torque on tap, overtaking is effortless, and the SUV accelerates with surprising urgency for its size. It’s not just about raw numbers — the 3DHT gearbox ensures smooth transitions between petrol and electric power, delivering a seamless driving experience.

First verdict

The new Tiggo 9 is undeniably impressive. It looks premium, feels luxurious inside, and delivers both performance and efficiency that rival far pricier SUVs. However, the inevitable question remains — is it different enough from the Tiggo 8 Pro range to justify the upgrade? On first impression, the Tiggo 9 feels more like an evolution than a revolution.

That said, this is just our initial taste. The Tiggo 9 clearly has the credentials to challenge established players, and we’ll reserve final judgment until we’ve spent more time with it in everyday conditions. For now, Chery’s flagship has definitely made a strong first impression.

Pricing and warranty

1. Tiggo 9 2.0T Pinnacle – R689,900
2. Tiggo 9 2.0T Vanguard AWD – R779,900
3. Tiggo 9 1.5T CSH Pinnacle – R839,900
4. Tiggo 9 1.5T CSH Vanguard AWD – R989,900

All Tiggo 9 models come standard with a 7-year/90 000 km service plan, a 7-year/200 000 km warranty, and Chery’s 10-year/1-million km engine warranty (for 1st owner but can be transferred to a second owner if vehicle is purchased from a Cherished pre-owned dealership). A 10-year/Unlimited km battery warranty is also included for Tiggo 9 CSH models.