In Depth: Chery Tiggo 8 Pro – 7-Seater Family SUV with a PHEV Option

Chery’s Malaysian homecoming after a long sabbatical sees the brand rejuvenated itself with the flagship Tiggo Pro SUV line-ups – all previewed earlier this week. The biggest among the Tiggo siblings is the Tiggo 8 Pro, a 7-seat family SUV set to rival the likes of Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-8, non-hybrid Nissan X-Trail, as well as the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, to name a few.

The Tiggo 8 Pro comes in both pure-ICE and PHEV configurations. The standard ICE-powered 8 Pro features two different powertrain options, a smaller 1.6-litre TGDI – similar to the OMODA 5 – and a larger 2.0-litre TGDI that pairs with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The smaller 1.6-litre engine outputs about 194 HP and 290 NM, while the 2.0-litre mill puts out 254 HP and 390 NM. Indeed, the latter figures puts the Tiggo 8 Pro at the top of the field among its aforementioned competitors.

The PHEV variant, named the Tiggo 8 Pro e+, features a 1.5-litre turbocharged ICE that pairs with a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). Its electrification comes in the form of dual electric motors that combine with said ICE to produce 241 HP and 510 NM twist, plus 80 KM of full-electric drive. This combination sees this rather hefty SUV sprint from nought to 100 KMH in about 8.2 seconds.

Being the flag-bearer for all Chery SUVs range, the Tiggo 8 Pro boasts a typical SUV styling as found in many other SUVs, with the rest of its little siblings following a similar design language also. Huge front grille – though not as massive as the OMODA’s – flanked by a pair of DRL-enabled full-LED headlights gives the 8 Pro (the car, not the phone) a distinct look.

Nothing spectacular to brag about on the Tiggo’s side profile, except for its 18-inch wheels that blend well with its conservative yet elegant look. Measuring 4,722 MM, its length sits right in the middle among its rivals, with the CX-8 leading the pack on this front (4,900 MM).

At the rear, the Tiggo 8 Pro’s design here appears somewhat elevated above the rest thanks to its quad tailpipes (dual for the PHEV) and matte-black ‘diffuser’ module. The taillights are equally impressive too, with modern LED layouts that accentuate its rear fascia.

Chery’s flagship SUV also comes with a flagship-worthy interior. Draped in soft-touch materials, the 8 Pro’s cabin oozes luxury plus a myriad of high-tech features. A 10.25-inch infotainment display crowns above the centre A/C vents, brimmed with Android Auto and Apple Carplay connectivity to boot. Drivers are greeted by a bigger 12.3-inch digital dash display, and there’s also a separate display for the climate controls situated just above the gear lever, thus increasing the 8 Pro’s screens tally to three.

Additional features such as a panoramic glass sunroof, wireless charging pad and eight-speaker Sony sound system completes this flagship SUV’s posh kit list.

However, the PHEV 8 Pro features a slightly different dashboard setup, with its dual-screen module – again similar to the OMODA 5 – featuring two separate individual displays for infotainment and driver’s display. Similar mobile connectivity options are also available, whilst the addition of a PHEV-related info menu differentiates it from that of the OMODA 5’s.

As its fellow 7-seat rivals are priced between RM170,000 to RM180,000, how much should Chery charge for its flagship Tiggo 8 Pro? With its slightly conservative look plus respectable performance and the presence of an electrified PHEV option, are all these enough to sway customers from the usual suspects with arguably better reputations? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below…