The Chinese continue to carve off a sizeable slice of the automobile cake worldwide, and with Chery on top, it’s hard to see this changing anytime soon. Last month the company claimed 3305-unit sales, putting it in the top 10 Down Under.
Now the fastest growing brand in Australia, Chery has done this on the back of the success of the Tiggo 4 and 7 SUVs, recently joined by the Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid, capable of travelling up to 1200km on one tank of fuel and a single charge.
I spent time with the last mentioned and, at first, found it hard to be serious about a car with a name like a schoolyard game of ‘catch’. Still, in the case of the Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid, I gave it a go. Based on the three-model Urban, Elite and Ultimate Pro Max Tiggo 8, the seven-seat SUV has been pared back to Urban and Ultimate models.
Priced from $45,990 driveaway, Chery has come up with a plug-in hybrid system, the Chery Super Hybrid, for the newbies, which it says, combines the benefits of an EV and internal combustion engine.
The flagship Ultimate sets itself against the plug-in hybrids from Mitsubishi, Mazda and Kia in kit and quality but leaves them in the weeds on price and family appeal with seating for seven.
The Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid is covered by Chery’s seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, a similar period of capped price servicing and up to seven years roadside assistance.
STYLING
First impression is the lack of ostentation: the Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid is a ‘regular guy’ seven-seater sports utility vehicle, albeit at almost five metres long, a large one. The almost utilitarian looks are all topped off with standard roof rails, shark fin antenna and rear spoiler.
The maker does make its mark with Chery’s brand diamond point grille, unique 19-inch alloy wheels, power retractable door handles and stand-out LED headlamps and taillights, plus dynamic turn signals. To cap it off, headlamps have ‘follow me home’ function.
INTERIOR
Enter the Ultimate cabin and settle into seven synthetic (who can tell?) leather seats.
The driver gets six-way power adjustment, the front seat passenger six-way powered seat, including thigh support extension and massage function. Both seats are heated and ventilated. Interior lighting includes front and rear, plus cargo area, accessed via a power tailgate.
Second row seats have 60:40 split fold, the third row 50:50. Leg room is good in the former, with the third row, best left for kiddies, cramping cargo space. Occupants, however, are open to a light-and-airy environment through a tilt-and-slide panoramic sunroof with power shade.
Storage starts with a front centre console box topped off by a comfortable armrest. Four cup holders serve front and back, map pockets can be found in front seat backs and coat hooks take outer spots. Dual zone climate control air-con is automatic.
INFOTAINMENT
Both variants feature a commanding centrally located 15.6-inch LCD infotainment touchscreen, the driver an added 10.25-inch instrument cluster and satellite navigation, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Say ‘Hello Chery’ and an Intelligent Voice Command takes on requests about system controls, or rely on the touchscreen or steering wheel switches to do likewise.
A word here. Almost everything is operated through the touchscreen and steering wheel, not to the best effect. The touchscreen lacks an intuitive bent, steering wheel buttons all-but disappear in bright light and the voice activation ‘stutters’.
Ultimate drivers can take advantage of a windscreen head-up display, which works a treat, headrest speakers, part of the 10-speaker Sony audio with digital radio and AM/FM tuner.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
The revolutionary Chery hybrid system balances power and sustainability, reducing carbon footprint without compromising on performance. A fifth-generation 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces maximum 105kW of power and 215Nm of torque, is mated with a single electric motor delivering 150kW and 310Nm.
Power is sent to the front wheels via a single-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission.
This Stepless Electric Hybrid System offers four driving modes – pure electric, series, parallel, and energy recovery.
SAFETY
Both Tiggo 8 Urban and Ultimate feature an Advanced Driver Assistance System, which includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping assist, as well as the ubiquitous anti-skid braking, electronic stability control, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and hill descent control.
As well as nine airbags – driver and front passenger, double curtain side, two front side, front centre and a pair of second-row airbags – manoeuvring at low speed is aided by 360-degree around view and reversing cameras, plus four front and four rear parking sensors.
Security gets into the act with proximity keys offering automatic walk-away locking and anti-theft alarm and engine immobiliser.
DRIVING
A proximity key fob gets the Tiggo8 Super Hybrid Ultimate ready to go – unlocked and powered up by the time the driver is seated, belted up and with foot on the brake. There begins a life of touchscreen swiping, steering-wheel button pressing and voice commanding (Hello Chery) unlike other petrol/electric hybrids, Chinese or otherwise, on the market.
Silently getting into its stride from a standstill in full electric mode, the petrol/electric mode can intervene, offering long range efficiency and speedy refuelling.
The stepless electric drive system offers four modes of operation – pure electric, series, parallel and energy recovery. Pure electric ideal for low-speed city commuting and fuel efficiency at speeds above 80km/h.
Up to 95km without charging, the lithium iron phosphate battery has a capacity of 18.3kWh and, according to the maker, can be charged from 30 to 80 per cent at up to 40kW on a DC fast charger in just 20 minutes. Above 30pc charge the Super Hybrid System can run as a pure EV up to speeds of 120km/h.
In hybrid mode the two units work together to deliver a driving range of up to 1200km.
Steering is soft, ride and handling conditional, braking sharp and acceleration impressive under a soft pedal touch.
SUMMARY
The Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid is seriously ‘super’ in many ways, from comfort to practicality.
Pity about software and steering shortcomings. Last, but far from least, are the
appealing prices, with the well-specced Urban below $50,000 and the Ultimate worth the extra four grand.
RATINGS
Looks – 6
Performance – 7
Safety – 8
Thirst – 5
Practicality – 8
Comfort – 8
Tech – 7
Value – 8
