Chery’s 315kW Tiggo 9 flagship launched! Priced from $60,000 to rival Mitsubishi Outlander and BYD Sealion 6

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Chery has further expanded its ‘Tiggo’ SUV range, launching a new seven-seater plug-in model known as the Tiggo 9.

Available in one trim grade, Ultimate, Chery’s new model is its largest and most expensive yet… Before exploring offerings from sub-brands Omoda and Jaecoo, that is. 

It’s priced from $59,990 before on-road costs and will predominantly rival the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which starts from $57,290 (+ORCs), and climbs to $69,290 in seven-seat guise.

The Tiggo 9 will also contend with BYD’s $42,990 before on-roads five-seater Sealion 6 plug-in and soon-to-launch Sealion 8 seven-seater PHEV flagship. That model, along with a smaller, cut price Sealion 5, is slated to arrive in Australia early next year. 

Key standard equipment for the Chery Tiggo 9 includes:

• 360-degree surround view camera
• Leather interior
• 6-way power-adjust front seats with heating, ventilation and massage
• Heated and ventilated rear outboard seats
• Heated steering wheel
• 10.25-inch driver instrument cluster
• 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 12-speaker Sony sound system
• Heads-up display 
• 50W wireless phone charger
• Electronic panoramic sunroof
• Power tailgate
• LED exterior brightwork 
• 20-inch alloy wheels

But where BYD’s big Sealion measures 5040mm in length and 2950mm in wheelbase, the humble Tiggo 9 measures 4820mm in length (220mm shorter than the Sealion 8), 1930mm wide, and 1699mm tall, with a 2750mm wheelbase – just 40mm longer than the current Tiggo 8, and 200mm shorter than its close BYD rival.

Resultantly, third row legroom is very limited in Chery’s all new plug-in.

Keen eyed readers would note the extreme similarity in size between the Chery Tiggo 9 and the five-seat exclusives Jaecoo J8 and Omoda 9. Indeed, all three Chery-derived models share the same platform.

But where the J8 makes use of a more traditional 183kW/385Nm four-cylinder turbocharged engine and eight-speed automatic drivetrain, the Tiggo 9 features three electric motors – two at the front and one at the rear – mated to a 1.5-litre turbo petrol via a three-speed ‘dedicated hybrid transmission’.

The result is a staggering claimed combined output of 315kW / 580Nm, and, thanks to its 34kWh Lithium-ion battery, the Tiggo 9 also claims a combined range of 1250km and an EV-only range of 170km. Both figures are measured to generous NEDC testing standards. 

The release of the Tiggo 9 will mark the second appearance of Chery’s unique three-motor PHEV system, which first debuted on the $61,990 (before on-roads) Omoda 9. 

That model boasts a five-star ANCAP safety rating, where the Tiggo 9 is currently unrated. Chery says it is working behind the scenes to begin independent safety testing on its new Tiggo 9 model, in order to share a five-star rating with smaller Tiggo 4, 7 and 8 relatives. 

Chery has additionally confirmed that the Tiggo 9 has a comprehensive suite of driver safety features, including autonomous emergency braking and emergency lane keeping, as well as ten airbags. 

Like all Chery models, the Tiggo 9 will be backed by a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with a separate eight-year unlimited kilometre warranty applying to its high voltage PHEV battery.