Chery Tiggo 7 & 8 CSH PHEV Launched in the UK – Malaysia Soon?

The UK became one of the first RHD markets to launch the Chery Tiggo 7 & 8 CSH PHEV SUVs. Malaysia next?

Following the success of its Omoda & Jaecoo sub-brands, Chinese automaker Chery has finally made its debut in the UK with the Tiggo 7 and 8 SUVs. Available in both full combustion (ICE) and CSH plug-in hybrid (PHEV) guises, the UK also became one of the first right-hand drive (RHD) markets to officially launch the electrified SUV duo.

UK-spec Chery Tiggo 7 CSH PHEV

We’ll start with the Tiggo 7, where both UK-spec variants are based on the facelifted version of this C-SUV seen on the CSH model previewed here in Malaysia. Some key design highlights include new LED headlights with same dual-C-shaped DRLs flanking its diamond-patterned front grille, new full-width LED taillights, 18 or 19-inch alloy wheel options, and many more.

UK-spec Chery Tiggo 8 CSH PHEV

Moving on to the UK-spec Tiggo 8, it appears that the ICE variant gets a slightly different look than its PHEV counterpart. The ICE version features slimmer LED headlights and taillights, as well as crosshatch front grille inserts, while the CSH variant looks similar to what we saw here locally, with a diamond-pattern front grille, redesigned LED headlights, full-width LED taillights, and faux twin tailpipes.

That said, both models still roll on new 19-inch alloy wheels, albeit with different spoke designs.

Onboard amenities for the UK-spec Tiggo 7 is quite comprehensive, featuring key equipment like the dual 12.3-inch screens with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, powered front seats, a 540-degree camera-view system, an 8-speaker Sony audio system, a large panoramic sunroof, dual-zone A/C, a powered tailgate, and many more.

The same can also be said for the Tiggo 8 in the UK, with amenities such as heated and ventilated functions for first- and second-row seats, a large 15.6-inch central infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display (HUD), an integrated dashcam, a 540-degree camera-view system, a 12-speaker Sony audio system, a wireless charger, and multi-colour ambient lights, to name a few.

On the practicality side, this D-SUV still retains the same three-row, seven-seat layout seen in other markets, as well as the flexible boot space that can be expanded to 1,930 litres.

In terms of powertrain, both the UK-spec Tiggo 7 and 8 PHEVs use the same Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) system, featuring a 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbocharged petrol mill with thermal efficiency of 44.5% and delivering 154 HP and 220 NM. Said turbo lump is then mated to a 3-speed Stepless Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) that integrates two electric motors to deliver a total system output of 342 HP and 525 NM.

Juicing up this CSH PHEV system is a 18.3-kWh LFP battery pack that grants both models 95 km of pure EV range and up to 1,200 km of combined range, with its combined fuel consumption reads at only 1.3 litres per 100 km. And just like many other modern PHEVs, CSH PHEV system supports both AC and DC charging methods, with the latter enabling the battery pack to be charged from 30-80% in just 19 minutes.

Besides CSH, the UK market also gets full combustion versions of the Tiggo 7 and 8, both featuring a 1.6-litre TGDI engine with different states of tune—197 hp and 275 Nm for the former and 145 hp and 275 Nm for the latter.

UK prices start at £24,995 (RM142,282) for the ICE Tiggo 7 and £29,995 (RM170,744) for the CSH PHEV version, while the Tiggo 8 is tagged higher at £28,500 (RM162,234) for the ICE and £33,500 (RM190,696) for the CSH PHEV.

With both the Tiggo 7 and 8 CSH PHEV duo already debuted in key RHD markets like the UK and South Africa, could these electrified SUVs make their local debut soon? Mind you, Chery Auto Malaysia has already previewed these CSH SUVs twice here in Malaysia, so the next time we see them could possibly be at their launch.