Est. RM189k, Chery Tiggo 9 unveiled in Malaysia – Flagship 7-seater SUV

Chery Malaysia has unveiled a new addition to its SUV line-up, the Chery Tiggo 9. However, this new addition isn’t just another typical SUV — it is the brand’s flagship model. The Chery Tiggo 9 comes in only one variant with an estimated price of RM 189,000. Categorised as a 7-seater SUV, it sits above the existing Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and its hybrid counterpart, the Chery Tiggo 8 PHEV, both of which are also 7-seater SUVs.

So, Chery already has a 7-seater SUV in its line-up, so why introduce another one? Well, the Chery Tiggo 9 is larger and comes with more premium features, representing the top offering Chery can provide without overlapping too closely with its other brands, such as Omoda | Jaecoo and the soon-to-debut Lepas. Based on the Chery Tiggo 9X in China, it measures 4,810 mm in length, 1,925 mm in width, 1,741 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,800 mm. In essence, the Chery Tiggo 9 is 88 mm longer, 65 mm wider, 36 mm taller, and has a wheelbase that is 90 mm longer than the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro.

Moving on to the exterior, the Chery Tiggo 9 features a huge 3D diamond-pattern grille, giving it an executive-looking front end. It is further complemented by a pair of automatic LED headlights with DRLs, which come with a Follow-Me-Home function. Below the headlights are additional LED light strips called the Dynamic Flow Light. The door handles sit flush with the body and pop out when the vehicle is unlocked. A sleek full-width LED taillight design with dual exhaust tailpipes completes the rear. Colour options are somewhat disappointing for a flagship model, with only two available: Matte Grey and Carbon Black.

Among the exterior features of the Chery Tiggo 9 are:

Automatic LED headlights with DRLs and Follow-Me-Home function
LED taillights
LED rear fog lights
LED sequential turn signals
Panoramic roof with tilt and slide function plus powered sunshade
Roof rails
Rear spoiler
Hands-free powered tailgate
Kumho Ecsta PS71 tyres (245/50 R20) with a full-size spare tyre
20-inch multi-spoke wheels
Matte Grey and Carbon Black exterior colours

Under the bonnet, surprisingly, is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 256 PS and 390 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. There are no electric motors involved, meaning it is not a hybrid. The engine is the same as the one found in the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro. Still, unlike the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, the Chery Tiggo 9 features an Intelligent AWD system, which includes Intelligent Torque Distribution, an Integrated Power Brake (IPB) system, and All-Terrain Adaptability with seven drive modes.

The seven drive modes are Eco, Comfort, and Performance for on-road driving, while Off-road, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes are available for off-road use.

Stepping inside, the flagship status suddenly feels much more fitting, with an interior cabin that feels complete and premium. The cabin is surrounded by 64-colour ambient lighting across the dashboard and door cards, while double-glazed acoustic glass helps keep outside noise to a minimum. The first-row seats feature massage, ventilation, and heating functions. The second-row seats, meanwhile, only feature ventilation and heating. For the driver, there is an HD head-up display projected onto the windscreen, providing essential driving information.

Among the interior features of the Chery Tiggo 9 are:

Smart entry
10.25-inch instrument cluster display
15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen display
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
14-speaker Sony audio system including driver headrest speaker
50W wireless charger with cooling function
Driver’s seat welcome function
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
64-colour dynamic ambient lighting
4-way powered adjustable steering wheel
Faux leather upholstery
10-way powered adjustable driver’s seat with memory function
6-way powered adjustable front passenger seat with Boss Switch
Front seats with massage, ventilation, and heating functions
Front centre armrest with cooled storage compartment
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Rear air-conditioning control panel with rear air vents
Second-row seats with ventilation and heating functions and 60:40 split-folding
Second-row window sunshades
Third-row seats with 50:50 split-folding
Walk-away auto lock

In terms of safety, the Chery Tiggo 9 features the most comprehensive suite of safety systems that Chery currently offers, with the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) bundled together with the following safety features:

Intelligent High-Beam Control Headlamps (IHC)
Front Collision Warning (FCW)
Forward Departure Warning (FDW)
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Integrated Cruise Assist (ICA)
Traffic Jam Assist (TJA)
Lane Change Assist (LCA)
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
Intelligent Avoidance System (IAS)
Multi-Collision Braking (MCB)
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Rear Cross Traffic Braking (RCTB)
Rear Collision Warning (RCW)
Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
Door Opening Warning (DOW)
Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
Speed Limit Reminder (SLR)
Driver Monitoring System (DMS)
540º HD panoramic camera
Hill Start Control (HAC)
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
10 airbags

The Chery Tiggo 9 certainly comes with all the bells and whistles expected of a proper high-end 7-seater SUV, especially with its premium interior finish and comfortable first impression. However, the non-hybrid powertrain remains a puzzling choice, especially considering how proud Chery is of its Chery Super Hybrid technology.