Impressive CHERY Tiggo 8 is one of UK’s most affordable 7 seater cars

The CHERY Tiggo 8 is one of two SUVs launched in the UK this week from the parent company behind the popular Omoda 5 and Jaecoo 7. With its low price point, the Tiggo 8 brings a luxury car experience to budget-conscious families. So, is it a hot seven seater car you won’t be embarrassed to drive, or just the latest lump of metal from China?

CHERY is new to the UK but has been building engines for over 30 years and producing cars for most of that time. The Tiggo 3 and 4 were sold in other parts of the world before an attempt to crack the UK market with Omoda and Jaecoo models—which worked. The Jaecoo 7 was the best-selling plug-in hybrid in August! Now, the Tiggo 8 plans to mimic that success with impressive interiors and attractive price tags.

2025 CHERY Tiggo 8 First Impressions

Tiggo 8 Key Features

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Full synthetic leather interior
• Heated front seats
• Adaptive cruise control
• 540-degree camera

You’d be forgiven for thinking the Tiggo 8 costs a fortune. It looks elegant with its contoured body, rear privacy glass, spoiler, and dual exhausts, especially in the optional Forest Green paint in my video below.

Contrast black bumpers and roof rails remind us this SUV isn’t afraid to get dirty. I used to hate chrome on cars, but the shiny details highlight the design quirks beautifully.

CHERY Tiggo 8 Review

@dylanscarreviews The CHERY Tiggo 8 has landed! It's the cheapest 7 seater SUV in the UK, but looks and feels very premium ? #chery #tiggo8 #cherytiggo #chinesecar #7seater @CHERY UK ? original sound – Dylan | Car Journalist

How Does The CHERY Tiggo 8 Drive?

Having tested both the petrol and hybrid versions, the hybrid is the clear winner. The 1.6-litre turbocharged pure petrol engine makes 147 horsepower, which sounds fine on paper, but in practice it struggles. Even with just two adults onboard, it revved loudly and hunted for gears on uphill stretches. Fully loaded with seven passengers, it would likely feel underpowered.

The plug-in hybrid copes better despite a smaller 1.5-litre engine. An electric motor assists the engine to a total 201 bhp, which makes a stark difference. On top of that, it takes the best bits of an electric car, such as a continuous transmission (almost feels gearless) and quiet ride, then combines them with the range and quick refuelling of a petrol car.

CHERY Tiggo 8 Performance Specifications

Engine	1.6-litre Turbocharged Petrol	1.5-litre Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
Transmission	7-speed automatic	Dedicated Hybrid Transmission
Horsepower	147 BHP	201 BHP
Battery	N/A	18.4 kWh
Electric-only range	N/A	56 Miles
0-62 MPH	9.8 Seconds	8.5 Seconds
Top Speed	118 MPH	112 MPH

Tiggo 8 Hybrid Fuel Economy

CHERY likes to under promise and overdeliver when it comes to their claimed range. On paper, drivers will get 745 miles of range, including 56 miles of pure electric power, but people have been beating that figure.

Even though it’s a plug-in, you don’t have to. The super hybrid system keeps the battery charged to at least 18%, meaning you’ll always have help from the electric motors. However, I recommend you charge the battery for optimum efficiency.

	Combined
WLTP Rated Economy:	47.8 MPG

Interior Design And Comfort

There are only two trims levels to choose from, and just £3,000 between them. Either way, there’s a premium European feel all over. One annoying feature is the rearview mirror uses a wide-angle view, which is great for seeing passengers, but it distorts distance out the rear window. I loved everything else. The circular speakers and wood grain effect door cards remind me of Mercedes-Benz cars, so it’s definitely prestigious.

Starting with Aspire, the Tiggo 8 gets sleek LED daytime running lights, an imposing diamond front grille, flashy 19-inch alloy wheels, and a rear LED light bar that emphasizes the size of this seven-seater hybrid SUV. Thankfully, parking sensors and a 540-degree surround-view system combining front, rear, and underbody cameras, make parking effortless. Inside is coated with soft synthetic leather and the front seats are heated, while two digital displays modernize the space.

Upgrading to the Summit adds a hands-free tailgate, heated steering wheel, ventilated seats up front, plus heated seats in the middle row. There’s also a reclining seat with footrest and massage function for the front-row passenger, additional speakers for the SONY sound system, and a head-up display for the driver. Multicolour ambient lighting and a full-length panoramic glass roof influence the entire mood of the cabin.

Technology And Ease Of Use

Regardless of trim, every Tiggo 8 boasts a responsive 15.6-inch HD touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. There’s a powerful 50-watt wireless phone charger with a cooling fan to protect your phone as it fast charges, and physical buttons for important climate controls — hallelujah!

Cargo And Storage Space

As with most seven-seater cars, the boot space is huge until you need to use all seats. There’s still enough room to store the parcel shelf with all seats in place, and up to 1,903 litres when you flatten rows two and three. Evidently, a lot of thought has gone into the cabin space too. The Tiggo 8 utilizes 66% of the space inside, so there’s a place for all your bits and pieces.

Should You Buy A CHERY Tiggo 8?

The CHERY Tiggo 8 is a smart choice for savvy families who need a practical SUV but don’t want to compromise on comfort. There’s little need to upgrade to the summit trim, since the Aspire is well-equipped, but the hybrid engine feels like an essential progression. It’s a perfect blend of affordability and refinement; thousands of pounds less than the Ford Kuga Hybrid, and much higher quality than an MG HS Hybrid. Still, a Skoda Kodiaq is similarly priced.

If you’re worried about the brand vanishing and leaving you in the lurch in a couple of years, UK deputy country director Farrell Hsu provided some reassurance that it is not another short-lived pop-up, saying
“CHERY is here to stay – and our aim is to make it a household name in the UK.”

How Much Does A CHERY Tiggo 8 Cost?

Prices for the CHERY Tiggo 8 start from £28,545 on-the-road for an Aspire grade with pure petrol engine. Even upgrading to a range-topping Tiggo 8 Aspire plug-in hybrid stays below £40,000, avoiding the luxury car tax. The only other choice you need to make is whether to have free white paint, or one of four optional paints costing £500.

CHERY Tiggo 8 price UK

Trim/Engine	1.6-litre Petrol	1.5-litre PHEV
Aspire	£28,545	£33,545
Summit	£31,545	£36,545