Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV to Take on Kia Sorento PHEV

The range of electric and part electric vehicles has expended hugely in the last decade. Chery revealed a flagship plug-n hybrid (PHEV) SUV at the Beijing Auto Show. TIGGO 9 will join the Omoda and TIGGO range.

Chery relaunched last year, with the Omodo 5, following a previous tilt at the Australian market. Since that first model, Chery has been determined, growing its range and assembling an experienced Australian team.

Despite the claims that TIGGO 9 PHEV stands out as a plug-in hybrid SUV, PHEVs are not rare. What the Chinese carmakers do well is to recreate current technology, cheaper.

The octagonal grille features radiating starbursts emanating from the Chery logo, and the body lines draw a familiar impression gained from other Chery vehicles. The larger body is carried on 20-inch multi-spoke alloys as a nod to luxurious European models.

ABOVE: 2024 Chery TIGGO 9 PHEV SUV

The cabin is dominated by a 15.6-inch 2.5K HD screen.

TIGGO 9’s controls are distilled into the screen and other switches are laid out on the centre console, familiar and easy to use. Seats are upholstered in 3D stitched material and are claimed to be comfortable especially on longer journeys. The beautifully simple design has a crispness that is vaguely Scandi in its inspiration.

There are small improvements to be made such as the double lid of the console armest which doesn’t quite marry up with the trim on the centre console.

The PHEV system is a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and 3DHT electric motor paired to an 8-speed automatic, blissfully eschewing the dreaded CVT found in most hybrids. The petrol engine has an output of 175kW/385Nm, and that the hybrid’s 3DHT electric motor has a power output of 165kW.

Fuel economy is 5.2L/100k WLTC, with a range of 1400km WLTC. Chery goes on to say that this eliminates range anxiety, suggesting that the electrification is a cheat on full BEV. Electrification is a term car makers use to cover the fact that their vehicle isn’t a full electric model. Many punters are confused by this term so to clear it up, no hybrid is a full electric vehicle so there is no such range anxiety. Range depends purely on where the next petrol station can be found. The fact that the PHEV can plug into a wall socket then drive for short distances on pure EV mode is completely irrelevant.

This 3-row SUV clearly has Kia’s Sorento PHEV in its sights. As with most Chinese auto brands, Chery is able to “do it cheaper”, taking the space where Kia and Hyundai once lived. The Australian pricing should come as a shock to established brands.

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