Chery Tiggo 8 PHEV

Model Overview

The Chery Tiggo 8 New Energy Champion Edition is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV under Chery's Tiggo 8 family, positioned as a "5+2-seater high-performance hybrid SUV". Officially launched on 8 August 2023 at the National Olympic Sports Centre in Beijing, the vehicle was introduced in three variant trims. With an official recommended retail price ranging from RM137,900 to RM159,900, it is priced closely on par with its petrol counterpart, achieving price parity between ICE and electrified models. As a core member of the Tiggo 8 Champion lineup, the Tiggo 8 New Energy Champion Edition and the Tiggo 7 PLUS New Energy collectively form Chery's "hybrid twin stars", aimed at reshaping the domestic hybrid market landscape. As of June 2026, the available variants are primarily based on the 2023 Champion Edition, with running specification updates introduced in subsequent model years.

Design Language

In terms of exterior styling, the Tiggo 8 New Energy Champion Edition largely retains the design language of the Tiggo 8 PRO. Up front, it features a large smoked hourglass-style front grille with a black matrix insert, flanked by sharp LED headlight clusters and linked by a full-width chrome trim strip across the front fascia. To emphasize its electrified identity, subtle blue accent strips are added below the front bumper and along the outer edges of the side air curtains. In terms of dimensions, the SUV measures 4,745 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,747 mm in height, with a 2,710 mm wheelbase. At the rear, it is equipped with a roof-mounted spoiler and a full-width LED light bar, complemented by quad exhaust tips and a rear bumper diffuser to accentuate its sporty profile. Additionally, it features an illuminated Chery emblem on the front grille.

Inside, the Tiggo 8 New Energy Champion Edition features a dual-tone wraparound cockpit, highlighted by a 24.6-inch curved dual-screen display (twin 12.3-inch screens) and a flat-bottom three-spoke multi-function steering wheel. The cabin is extensively trimmed in soft-touch materials with metallic accents, offering three interior colour options: Wormhole Black, Star Silver Blue, and Deep Condensed Brown. Seating comes in standard 5-seater and "5+2" 7-seater configurations to suit different family needs.

Powertrain & Performance

Powering the Tiggo 8 New Energy Champion Edition is Chery’s Kunpeng DHT Super Hybrid system. The powertrain comprises a hybrid-dedicated 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with dual permanent magnet synchronous electric motors. The 1.5T engine produces 115 kW (approx. 156 PS) and 220 Nm of torque, while the electric motor delivers 150 kW and 310 Nm. Together, the system puts out a total combined output of 240 kW and 545 Nm of torque. Power is sent via Chery's in-house developed 3-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). The century sprint (0-100 km/h) takes just 7.2 seconds, with a top speed of 175–180 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated between 1.3 and 1.7 L/100 km under MIIT testing standards.

For electric driving, the SUV is fitted with a 19.27 kWh ternary lithium (NMC) battery pack. The entry-level trim delivers an NEDC pure electric range of 55 km, while the mid- and top-spec variants offer 100 km under the NEDC cycle (80 km under WLTC standards). A full tank of petrol and a fully charged battery offer a total combined cruising range in excess of 1,000 km. When it comes to charging, it supports 29 kW DC fast charging, taking just 25 minutes to replenish from 30% to 80% SoC, while a standard AC slow charge takes around 3 hours. The vehicle also features 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) reverse charging capability, turning the car into a mobile power bank. Three selectable drive modes are available: EV, HEV-Normal, and HEV-Sport.

Chassis & Handling

Under the skin, the Tiggo 8 New Energy Champion Edition adopts a front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup. Suspension consists of MacPherson struts at the front and an independent multi-link setup at the rear. Steering is handled by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. Stopping power comes from ventilated front discs and solid rear discs, paired with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold. It is built on a monocoque chassis structure, riding on 235/55 R18 tyres.

Cabin & Equipment

The smart cockpit serves as a standout highlight of the Tiggo 8 New Energy Champion Edition. The entire range comes standard with the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chipset, ensuring swift boot-up speeds and responsive AI voice control. The infotainment runs on the Lion OS (also referred to in some sources as Lion 5.0), supporting Apple CarPlay and Android smartphone screen mirroring. High-spec variants can also be optioned with a Windshield-HUD (W-HUD) head-up display.

On the comfort and convenience front, the SUV is equipped with a "Queen Co-Pilot" front passenger lounge seat featuring an electric ottoman leg rest, pneumatic massage, and seat ventilation/heating functions. Additional amenities include a 50W cooled wireless charging pad, an 8-speaker Sony premium audio system, rhythmic multi-colour ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The cabin boasts up to 40 storage compartments throughout, while boot capacity stands at 889 litres in standard form, expandable to 1,930 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Safety & ADAS

On the safety front, the Tiggo 8 New Energy Champion Edition comes standard with a Level 2+ Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) suite across all trims. Active safety systems include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and more, providing comprehensive protection for daily driving. Passive safety features include front and side airbags. For battery safety, the pack features aerospace-grade thermal-resistant mica plate armour and an intelligent thermal management system with cooling, heating, temperature equalisation, and heat preservation capabilities.

Market Performance & Verdict

The Tiggo 8 series serves as a core sales pillar for the Chery marque. Across the full year of 2025, cumulative sales of the Tiggo 8 family (combining ICE and PHEV variants) reached 213,084 units; in November 2025 alone, monthly sales hit 19,380 units, ranking second on the Chinese domestic mid-size SUV sales charts. Following its market debut, the Tiggo 8 New Energy Champion Edition gained strong traction in the competitive RM120,000 to RM150,000 plug-in hybrid SUV segment, driven by its ICE-parity pricing strategy, robust powertrain outputs, and standard Snapdragon 8155-powered smart cabin. Industry reviews have commended the model for its well-rounded strengths across performance, electric range, fast charging, and in-car intelligence. Owner feedback has broadly praised its punchy acceleration, responsive powertrain, and generous interior room, though some users noted areas for improvement, such as occasional infotainment OTA update delays and slight transmission hesitation at low speeds. On the whole, with its competitive pricing and well-balanced package, the Tiggo 8 New Energy Champion Edition remains a formidable contender in the mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV segment.