Chery keeps hitting the high notes in South Africa, with its growing range of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) spearheading the brand’s push toward electrification. To prove these NEVs can go the distance, we recently joined Chery on a three-day road trip from Joburg to Gqeberha, as RUBEN VON STEEN reports.
The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro Max is undoubtedly one of the brand’s biggest success stories in South Africa. It cemented Chery’s return to the local market in 2021 and, more importantly, helped establish trust by offering a vehicle that was not only affordable but also packed with technology, wrapped in modern styling and finished with a surprisingly premium feel. Fuel consumption was one of the few criticisms levelled at the range early on, though it seems Chery may finally have found the answer.
TRUST FROM THE GROUND UP
Capitalising on the success of the “affordably premium” Tiggo Pro line-up, including the 4, 7 and 8 Pro, Chery quickly became one of South Africa’s fastest-growing brands. Since 2023, it has consistently ranked among the country’s top 10 best-selling manufacturers, overtaking brands such as Mazda, Honda, Citroën, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jeep, and Opel.
South Africans recognise a strong value proposition when they see one.
Fast forward to 2026, and we found ourselves heading out on Chery’s New Energy Vehicle road trip, designed to showcase the brand’s latest Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology now integrated into the Tiggo 7, 8 and 9. These new PHEV derivatives were promised to address those earlier fuel economy concerns, which have become even more relevant in 2026. Eish.
IN THE REAL WORLD
Claimed fuel consumption figures are 4.9 l/100 km for the Tiggo 7, 5.2 l/100 km for the Tiggo 8, and 6.2 l/100 km for the Tiggo 9. Impressive numbers on paper, but would they still hold up after 1,200 km on busy South African highways?
The brief was refreshingly simple. Just drive.
There was no convoy formation or economy run challenge. The goal was merely to reach the destination by the end of the day. At first, the approach felt unusual, but it quickly became clear why Chery structured the trip this way. The brand wanted us to drive naturally and allow the Tiggo range to prove itself regardless of driving style.
Travelling from Johannesburg to Colesberg, overtaking trucks, stopping for refreshments, capturing footage and simply experiencing as much of the vehicle as possible, our Tiggo 9 PHEV returned a combined energy usage figure of 6.8 l/100 km. That figure factors in both battery and fuel usage through the onboard calculation system.
That is deeply impressive when you consider the Tiggo 9 PHEV weighs 2.3 tons and still ended the journey with more battery charge remaining than when we left Johannesburg. Similar stories emerged from the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8, which returned combined figures of 6.1 l/100 km and 6.5 l/100 km, respectively.
Those are genuinely respectable results, and with a slightly more conservative driving style, it is entirely possible to match or even beat the claimed figures. I managed exactly that on the second day in the Tiggo 8 PHEV, recording 5 l/100 km on the dot.
BUT HOW DO THEY DRIVE?
Efficiency alone means very little if the driving experience disappoints, though thankfully, that is not the case here.
Even with the added weight of the battery systems, the Tiggo range feels planted and composed on the road. Steering remains light and responsive in Eco and Normal modes, while Sport mode introduces a noticeably heavier steering and brake pedal feel for improved control.
These are not sports vehicles, however. They are family cars and long-distance cruisers, and that is where they excel. The cabins are exceptionally well assembled, trimmed in materials that feel far more premium than their price tags suggest, while the seats are genuinely comfortable, especially once the massage function in the Tiggo 8 and 9 gets to work.
Technology is another major focus. The Tiggo 7 features a striking 24.6-inch curved dual-screen setup, while the Tiggo 8 and 9 both receive large 15.6-inch infotainment displays. Like many modern systems, navigating every function can occasionally feel overwhelming, but display quality is excellent and the auto-dimming functionality works brilliantly in varying light conditions.
Additional features include a powerful 50 W air-cooled wireless charging pad, along with Sony sound systems ranging from eight speakers in the Tiggo 7 to 15 speakers in the Tiggo 9. Panoramic sunroofs feature across the range, while ADAS Level 2 safety systems include functions such as Blind Spot Monitoring and Adaptive Cruise Control.
SO, DO PHEVS WORK?
Plug-in hybrids arguably offer one of the most flexible solutions currently available, especially for buyers living in urban areas with regular access to charging infrastructure. All three Tiggo models feature 18.3 kWh batteries capable of delivering around 90 km of electric-only driving. The Tiggo 9 PHEV goes a step further with an available 34.4 kWh battery that extends electric range to 160 km.
For many commuters, that means daily driving without using a single drop of fuel. Once the battery charge drops below a certain threshold, the petrol engine steps in seamlessly, removing the range anxiety often associated with fully electric vehicles.
This road trip proved that Chery’s PHEV models are not intimidated by long-distance travel or everyday urban duties. Charging infrastructure will continue to improve over time, which will only strengthen the appeal of vehicles like these. Yes, there is still a cost calculation to consider, as PHEVs command a premium over traditional combustion vehicles, but after covering more than 1 200 km behind the wheel, the value proposition starts making increasing sense.
Pricing currently starts at R679,000 for the Tiggo 7 PHEV Ultra, rises to R729,000 for the roomier seven-seat Tiggo 8 PHEV, and tops out at R989,000 for the luxurious Tiggo 9 PHEV Vanguard AWD.
LAST WORD
Personally, I would still choose the Tiggo 7 PHEV. Its cabin simply feels that little bit more complete, thanks to details such as the physical volume control and traditionally mounted gear lever. The solution is already here. Now it simply comes down to what your budget allows.
Report & Images by RUBEN VON STEEN
