mReview: Chery Tiggo 8 PHEV – The 7-seater family SUV starting under 1 million THB

Chery Tiggo 8 PHEV: A bold 7-seater SUV offering up to 95 km pure EV with total driving range over 1,200 km.

What’s Great?

• Spacious: Exceptional interior space and excellent outward visibility.
• Efficient Hybrid System: Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) technology operates seamlessly and efficiently.
• Fuel Economy: Delivers an impressive 17.5 km/L given its substantial size.

What’s Good?

• Practical 3rd Row: Rearmost seats offer better legroom than typical 7-seater compact SUVs.
• Relaxed Family Drive: Driving character prioritises passenger comfort over aggressive sportiness.
• Drive Options:Available in both 2WD and AWD drivetrain configurations.

What’s Not Great?

• Soft Suspension: Chassis tuning feels overly soft and floaty, which may cause motion sickness.
• Vague Steering: Steering feedback lacks sharpness and precision for spirited driving.

Despite the "sport" label in its segment name, the overall tuning of the Chery Tiggo 8 PHEV leans heavily towards a comfortable family cruiser.

Passenger comfort is front and centre. The front passenger enjoys an executive-style "Queen Seat" complete with electric adjustment, an integrated calf rest, and a massage function. Second-row seats offer generous recline angles, while the powerful climate control system easily keeps the entire cabin cool in hot weather.

On the performance front, driving enthusiasts may find the handling lacking. Even in its firmest Sport mode, the steering remains light and lacks feedback, while the soft suspension setup feels floaty at higher speeds. However, when fully loaded with family members and luggage, the relaxed driving dynamics settle into a smooth, easygoing ride.

Powered by Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) Plug-in Hybrid technology, the Chery Tiggo 8 combines a 1.5L turbo petrol engine with dual electric motors, generating up to 501 hp and 735 Nm of torque in the AWD variant.

Furthermore, the top-tier AWD model features additional drive modes—Snow, Sand, and Off-Road—on top of the standard Eco, Normal, and Sport modes. It employs intelligent independent torque distribution across all four wheels (e.g., if one rear wheel loses ground contact, torque is routed exclusively to the remaining grounded wheels).

As for the 2WD model, it utilizes a single electric motor driving the front wheels, generating 347 hp and 525 Nm of maximum torque.

Both trims share an 18.4 kWh LFP battery supporting 40 kW DC fast charging, taking the battery from 30% to 80% in 20 minutes. Pure electric driving range reaches up to 95 km on the 2WD trim and 75 km on the AWD trim (NEDC standard)—ideal for daily zero-emission commutes.

For long road trips, the 60-litre fuel tank expands the total combined driving range to over 1,200 km, returning an efficient fuel economy rating of 17.5 km/L.

The suspension uses front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link setup with an anti-roll bar, riding on 235/50 R19 tyres across both trims. While tuned softly for family road trips, it exhibits noticeable body roll and floating motions over undulating surfaces.

Featuring a bold front fascia, the Tiggo 8 measures 4,722 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,745 mm high, with a 2,710 mm wheelbase. Ground clearance sits at 166 mm (161 mm on the AWD model), making it better suited for mild unpaved tracks rather than heavy off-roading.

The compact 3rd-row seats are best suited for children or short trips. However, slide the 2nd-row seats forward, and legroom opens up considerably—making it more usable than many rival 7-seater SUVs in this price class.

The rear styling features a full-width LED light bar, metallic bumper trim, and an electric power tailgate (exclusive to the AWD model).

Inside, the cabin offers a premium design layout with physical control buttons on the centre console for drive modes, 4WD settings, and climate functions.

Main infotainment functions are managed through a crisp 15.6-inch central touchscreen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The flagship trim adds a 12-speaker Sony audio system.

The front passenger "Queen Seat" provides standout luxury, featuring power adjustment, a extendable calf rest, ventilation, and an electric massage function.

Boot capacity sits at 889 litres in standard 5-seater configuration (fitting 3–4 large suitcases) and expands to 1,930 litres with the 2nd and 3rd-row seats folded flat. With all 7 seats in use, cargo space drops to 193 litres.

The Chery Tiggo 8 PHEV offers a generous equipment list, strong safety features, and a versatile hybrid powertrain. While driver engagement and suspension firmness leave room for aftermarket tuning, it represents high value for family-focused buyers.

Pricing following post-launch promotions:

• Tiggo 8 CSH PHEV 2WD Esteem: 949,000 THB
• Tiggo 8 CSH PHEV 4WD Elite: 1,069,000 THB

Author's Note – For buyers seeking a spacious, budget-friendly 7-seater SUV with zero-emission city driving capabilities and a 1,200 km total range, the Tiggo 8 PHEV delivers an impressive feature set at a very competitive price point.

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