Chery Tiggo 9

The Chery Tiggo 9 is the flagship D-segment SUV in Chery Auto's Tiggo family, positioned as an "ultra-comfortable smart flagship SUV". First introduced in 2023, the model serves as a core spearhead in driving the Chery brand upmarket. On 22 April 2026, under the theme of "Full-Domain AI Equal Rights for ICE and EV", Chery unveiled the All-New Generation Tiggo 9 ahead of the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, built on the "Mars · Star Core MIND" intelligent ICE platform and championing the technical proposition of "equal efficiency and equal intelligence across petrol and electric powertrains". The All-New Generation Tiggo 9 is offered in four variants: Haoxiang, Shexiang, Zhenxiang, and Falcon 500, with official recommended retail prices ranging from RM159,900 to RM179,900, alongside limited-time promotional prices between RM146,900 and RM166,900. As of June 2026, the Tiggo 9 lineup offers both petrol (2.0T) and plug-in hybrid (C-DM) powertrain options, featuring CDC electromagnetic suspension, a 30-inch 6K integrated panoramic curved display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8255 chipset, and the Falcon 500 ADAS suite as standard across the range, redefining the value benchmark for RM150,000-class petrol SUVs with its "entry-spec loaded like a top-spec" philosophy.

Design Language

The 2026 All-New Generation Tiggo 9 receives a comprehensive exterior styling refresh. Up front, it features an imposing octagonal radiator grille with vertical chrome louvres and a diamond mesh insert at the base, flanked by newly designed twin L-shaped LED daytime running lights; an enlarged front bumper further amplifies its commanding road presence. Along the sides, the flush pop-out door handles remain, while the floating roof design has been replaced with a conventional roofline, complemented by a crisp character line running from nose to tail and alloy wheel options in 18-, 19-, and 20-inch multi-spoke designs. Around the back, it sports a redesigned smoked full-width LED light bar with the "CHERY" script repositioned below, paired with a diffuser-style black rear bumper apron and integrated dual exhaust finishers for an athletic stance. In terms of dimensions, the new Tiggo 9 measures 4,853 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, and 1,730 mm in height, with a 2,820 mm wheelbase, available in both 5-seater and 7-seater configurations; boot capacity stands at 717 litres in the 5-seater layout, expandable to 2,021 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

The cabin receives a thoroughly revamped layout, highlighted by a wraparound floating cockpit design with a class-leading 30-inch 6K integrated panoramic display boasting a 90% screen-to-body ratio as standard, replacing the previous twin-screen setup. The seats feature a 13-layer build finished with Mercedes-Benz S-Class-style quilting, accompanied by extensive soft-touch upholstery, a premium suede headliner, and a 256-colour rhythmic ambient lighting system, elevating interior refinement to new heights for the brand. Higher-spec variants gain the "Queen Co-pilot Seat 2.0", offering one-touch full recline and a four-way electrically adjustable Ottoman leg rest.

Powertrain & Performance

Under the bonnet, the petrol-powered All-New Generation Tiggo 9 is motivated across all variants by Chery's Kunpeng 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (SQRF4J20C). The unit churns out 192 kW (261 PS) and 400 Nm of torque, with peak torque delivered across a broad 1,750–4,000 rpm band. Transmission choices comprise a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and Chery's proprietary second-generation Kunpeng eight-speed torque-converter automatic (8AT), the latter delivering a maximum mechanical efficiency of 96.6%. The 0–100 km/h sprint is dispatched in the 8-second bracket en route to a top speed of 205 km/h, while the 2WD model achieves a combined WLTC fuel consumption as low as 7.5 L/100 km and runs on RON 92 petrol, keeping daily running costs in check.

The plug-in hybrid Tiggo 9 C-DM is powered by the fifth-generation Kunpeng C-DM super hybrid powertrain, pairing a 1.5-litre dedicated hybrid turbo engine (delivering 44.5% thermal efficiency) with a front-mounted electric motor; the ICE unit puts out 115 kW while the e-motor produces 165 kW, delivering a combined system output of 280 kW and 610 Nm. Paired with a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), it provides a pure electric driving range of 106 km (CLTC) and an overall cruising range of up to 1,400 km (WLTC). In state-of-charge depleted conditions, WLTC fuel consumption is rated at just 5.45 L/100 km, and DC fast charging juices the battery from 30% to 80% in only 25 minutes.

Chassis & Handling

The chassis setup is a standout highlight of the new Tiggo 9. All variants come standard with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) adaptive suspension, where vehicle body sensors sample road data thousands of times per second, prompting the electronic control module to adjust damper stiffness in milliseconds, effectively mitigating front-end lift under acceleration, brake dive, and body roll during cornering to deliver a "magic carpet-like" composed ride over uneven tarmac. Suspension duties are handled by front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent setup, paired with electric power steering (EPS). The range-topping Falcon 500 variant is equipped with an on-demand intelligent all-wheel-drive (AWD) system with a multi-plate clutch centre differential, offering seven drive modes—including Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, and Mud—for light off-roading and tricky driving conditions. Wheel fitment starts with 235/60 R18 tyres on entry-level models, stepping up to wider 245/50 R20 tyres on mid-to-high variants.

Cabin & Equipment

The digital cockpit represents another major highlight of the new Tiggo 9. Fitted as standard across the range is a 30-inch 6K curved display powered by an automotive-grade 5nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8255 SoC, delivering substantially quicker processing performance over the outgoing 8155 chip, while supporting four-zone voice command, FOTA wireless software updates, 4G telematics, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Huawei HiCar integration. On the audio front, mid-to-high-spec variants boast a 23-speaker "Boya Sound" premium sound system configured in a 7.1.4 panoramic surround setup, whereas entry grades receive an eight-speaker Sony system. In terms of creature comforts, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation are standard fitment; higher variants add steering wheel heating, a driver's seat massage function, the Queen Co-pilot Seat 2.0 (with power leg rest and lumbar support), rear privacy glass, an active fragrance diffuser, a 50W cooled wireless charging pad, and a head-up display (HUD). In addition, all variants switch to a column-mounted electronic gear selector, freeing up practical storage space beneath the centre console for enhanced daily utility.

Safety & Driver Assistance

On the safety front, the Tiggo 9 is underpinned by the Rock Body 2.0 structure, utilising 85% high-strength steel with a tensile strength of up to 1,500 MPa, integrated with shotgun-type load paths and a 10-ring safety cage. Passive safety gear includes eight airbags on 5-seater models and 10 airbags on 7-seater variants, highlighted by 2,066 mm full-length side curtain airbags capable of holding pressure for up to six seconds post-impact. Active safety is comprehensive from the base trim, featuring a 360-degree four-channel dashcam, a 540-degree transparent chassis camera system, and roll stability control (RSC).

For advanced driver assistance, the All-New Tiggo 9 comes with the Chery Falcon 500 ADAS suite (standard on the top variant), which employs 26 to 29 sensors—including an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, three millimetre-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors—to establish a 200-metre long-range perception field. The dedicated smart driving processor delivers 128 TOPS of computing power. It enables Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving across 38 intelligent functions, including Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Centring Assist (LCA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Highway Navigate on Autopilot (Highway NOA with automated lane-changing, overtaking, and ramp navigation), Urban Memory Pilot, Automated Parking Assist (APA), Remote Parking Assist, and Reverse Tracking Assist. In official real-world evaluations, the Falcon 500 system completed an 1,100 km highway stretch with zero driver intervention, while its nighttime AEB performance outperformed segment rivals by 50%, matching the capabilities of premium EVs.

Market Performance & Reception

In terms of commercial performance, the Tiggo 9 previously enjoyed solid momentum in the mid-size SUV market, peaking at 12,137 units in October 2025. In 2026, monthly deliveries registered 5,857 units in January, 3,377 units in March, and 3,011 units in April, placing it 11th in the segment and contributing roughly 15% of Chery's total brand sales. However, weighed down by a 26% year-on-year contraction in the overall passenger vehicle market in April 2026 alongside the rapid uptake of electrified models, the Tiggo 9's sales cooled noticeably from its previous highs, reflecting a "high critical praise, modest showroom conversion" dynamic. The plug-in hybrid Tiggo 9 C-DM faced even stiffer headwinds, logging a year-to-date total of only 215 units in 2026, with monthly numbers hovering between double and low triple digits.

Industry observers attribute the Tiggo 9's primary challenge to brand equity: among prospective SUV shoppers in the RM150,000 to RM200,000 price bracket, only 12% shortlisted Chery initially, as brand perception remains closely tied to pragmatic impressions like "solid value for money" and "bulletproof powertrains", creating a noticeable ceiling for upward brand stretch. Despite its standout equipment list and capable mechanical foundations, its brand pull still trails established petrol rivals (such as the Geely Xingyue L and Changan CS75 PLUS) as well as NEV alternatives (like the BYD Tang and Deepal S7). Nevertheless, through its "top-spec kit as standard" value play—headlined by standard CDC suspension, a 30-inch curved screen, and the Falcon 500 ADAS suite—the Tiggo 9 sets a compelling new benchmark for how internal combustion vehicles can stay relevant in an increasingly software-driven landscape, standing as a pivotal milestone in Chery's "New ICE Strategy". As of June 2026, the on-sale All-New Generation Tiggo 9 range spans the 2025, 2026, and 2026 C-DM versions, carrying official retail prices from RM152,900 to RM203,900.