Chery Tiggo 8 Pro

Model Overview

The Chery Tiggo 8 PRO is a mid-size SUV built on Chery’s T1X platform, officially launched on 18 May 2022. Serving as a core pillar within the Tiggo 8 stable, the vehicle is billed as an "all-domain powertrain technology flagship", carrying forward the nameplate's hallmark "5+2" true seven-seater configuration. The Tiggo 8 PRO is offered in 1.6T and 2.0T turbo petrol variants alongside the Kunpeng DHT hybrid version, spanning an indicative price bracket of RM90,000 to RM180,000. Through several revisions, the 2025 model year further reduces the entry-level price while adding enhanced kit such as a 540° around-view monitor system.

Styling-wise, the SUV embraces a "Space-Time Matrix" front fascia to appeal to younger car buyers. As the volume bedrock for Chery, the Tiggo 8 family once accounted for a quarter of the brand's total sales volume, cementing its position as an indispensable stalwart in Chery's internal combustion engine (ICE) era.

Design Language

The Tiggo 8 PRO showcases the brand's latest "Space-Time Matrix" design philosophy. Up front, it features an imposing interlocking matrix radiator grille embellished with chrome dot-matrix inserts to deliver a striking three-dimensional depth. Flanking headlamp clusters integrate seamlessly into the upper chrome grille garnish, which, paired with the sculpted power bulges on the bonnet, lends the SUV an assertive, athletic posture.

In profile, the SUV exhibits taut shoulder lines and a floating roof motif for added contemporary flair, anchored by multi-spoke alloy wheels. Around the back, full-width crystalline LED tail lamps feature intricate internal light elements that deliver a distinctive lighting signature at night. Higher-spec variants gain an aggressive quad-exhaust tailpipe setup (two on each side), visibly heightening its sporty demeanor.

Dimensionally, the 2025 Tiggo 8 PRO measures 4,745 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,745 mm in height, riding on a 2,710 mm wheelbase. Inside, the cabin is dominated by an integrated floating dual-screen binnacle merging the central infotainment screen and digital instrument cluster, complemented by a flat-bottom three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and an electronic shift-by-wire gear selector. Premium soft-touch leatherette upholstery and woodgrain trim adorn the dashboard and door cards, while an 8-speaker SONY sound system and 256-colour ambient lighting lift the overall in-cabin ambience into luxury territory.

Powertrain & Performance

The Tiggo 8 PRO offers three distinct powertrain configurations to cater to diverse driving requirements.

The petrol lineup is headlined by the Kunpeng 1.6TGDI and 2.0TGDI turbocharged powerplants. The 1.6T unit churns out 145 kW (197 PS) and 290 Nm of torque, delivering a WLTC combined fuel consumption rating of just 7.1 L/100 km, balancing daily family practicality with punchy performance. The flagship 2.0T lump is significantly more potent, developing 187 kW (254 PS) and 390 Nm of torque. Mated to either a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT) or an in-house developed 8-speed torque-converter automatic, it accomplishes the 0–100 km/h sprint in the 7-second bracket. Real-world testing reveals brisk mid-range acceleration, completing the 80–120 km/h overtaking sprint in just 4.8 seconds.

The Kunpeng DHT hybrid employs a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup pairing a 1.5T turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors. Leveraging a "3-engine, 3-speed, 9-mode, 11-gear" architecture, the powertrain delivers a total system output of 240 kW (326 PS) and 545 Nm of system torque. Channelled through a 3-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), it achieves a WLTC battery-depleted fuel economy figure of only 1.7 L/100 km, an 80 km pure EV range, and an overall cruising range exceeding 1,000 km on a full tank and full charge.

Chassis & Handling

Underneath, the Tiggo 8 PRO runs on front MacPherson struts paired with a rear multi-link independent suspension setup. Calibrated specifically to accommodate full seven-occupant payloads, the damping is set up on the firmer, sportier side to provide ample body control, effectively suppressing body roll when cornering or carrying heavy loads while maintaining high-speed stability. The entire petrol range is calibrated to run on RON 92 petrol and above, keeping everyday running costs in check.

The vehicle is equipped with the "CHERY AWD" intelligent all-wheel-drive system featuring 6 selectable drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Mud, and Sand. The system can vary torque distribution between the front and rear axles within 100 milliseconds. Paired with Bosch’s ESP 9.3 electronic stability programme, it delivers composed traction and wet-weather driving confidence. Range-topping trims also feature CDC (Continuous Damping Control) active suspension, which scans road surfaces up to 1,000 times per second to vary damper stiffness in real time, striking an optimal balance between road-bump compliance and high-speed cornering composure.

Cabin & Equipment

The Tiggo 8 PRO centers around the Lion 5.0 AI smart cockpit, featuring a 24.6-inch dual-screen curved glass display as standard across the range, complemented by a W-HUD head-up display system for at-a-glance driving telemetry. The infotainment setup is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 automotive chip (7nm node, 8 TOPS AI compute capacity), ensuring fluid responsiveness, rapid boot-up times, and seamless voice recognition. Smartphone connectivity covers Apple CarPlay alongside Huawei HiCar 4.0, supported by an onboard 5G communication module capable of full-vehicle over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

Comfort amenities include a premium 8-speaker SONY audio system and a 50W wireless smartphone charging pad complete with active cooling vents. Within the versatile 5+2 seating layout, the second-row seats offer fore-aft slide and recline adjustments. Folding the second and third rows flat unlocks up to 1,930 litres of cavernous cargo volume, rivalling compact MPVs in outright utility.

Safety & Driver Assistance

In terms of occupant protection, the Tiggo 8 PRO incorporates a comprehensive active and passive safety suite. Passively, the SUV is built upon a high-rigidity safety cage utilizing over 65% high-strength steel, reinforced by 1,500 MPa hot-stamped boron steel at critical load-bearing sections like the A- and B-pillars. Six airbags (inclusive of full-length side curtain airbags) and pre-tensioner load-limiting seatbelts are fitted as standard.

For active safety, the SUV provides Level 2.5 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Comprising up to 15 safety functions, the suite includes full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go (0–150 km/h), Integrated Cruise Assist (ICA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). Flagship variants further add a 540° HD camera system with transparent underfloor chassis view, effectively eliminating underbody blind spots on tricky terrain.

Market Performance & Verdict

The Chery Tiggo 8 PRO has navigated a journey from high-flying sales peaks to stiffer market headwinds. During its initial launch phase, buoyed by its muscular performance and tech-laden dual-screen cockpit, the model served as the flagship volume driver for the Tiggo 8 lineup, consistently breaching the 10,000-unit monthly sales mark. However, aggressive price cuts and the rapid rise of new energy rivals such as the BYD Song Pro DM-i have exerted considerable pressure on its market share in recent periods.

From an ownership standpoint, drivers regularly praise the robust pulling power of the 2.0T Kunpeng engine and the cutting-edge aesthetic of the 24.6-inch dual screens, alongside fuel savings from RON 92 compatibility. On the flip side, some owners report slight transmission hesitation at crawling speeds during stop-and-go traffic, as well as real-world city fuel economy figures that sit higher than official claims (hovering around 9.5 L/100 km for some urban drivers).

In summary, as a formidable contender in the RM100,000–RM150,000 mid-size SUV bracket, the Chery Tiggo 8 PRO hits the sweet spot for family buyers looking for both style and substance. With its athletic styling, muscular Kunpeng powertrains, and generous list of creature comforts, it stands as the zenith of Chery's combustion-engine engineering, delivering an undeniable value-for-money proposition that punches well above its weight against established joint-venture rivals.