The Chery Tiggo 8 is one of the most talked-about new arrivals in the UK. In just four months, the brand has carved out just over 1% market share with 5,500+ units sold – remarkable for a newcomer taking on established European and Asian players.
The Summit PHEV pairs a 1.5-litre turbo petrol with an electric motor and an 18.4 kWh battery, delivering a WLTP electric-only range of 56 miles – enough to cover most daily urban trips without using petrol.
Pricing is keen: Summit PHEV comes in at £36,545; the petrol-only Summit, just £31,545. Strong numbers for a seven-seat SUV with this equipment level.
Thanks to Simon Bradbury and the team at Fish Brothers Chery (Swindon) for the test. The Tiggo 8 Summit PHEV looks exactly how a modern family SUV should: clean, conservative lines that will age well rather than divide opinion. Inside, it feels more premium than the price suggests – big digital displays, neat materials, and thoughtful trim details. It does not feel “budget” when you climb in.
Petrol only
Plug-in hybrid (Super Hybrid)
The PHEV uses Chery’s Super Hybrid system with a 18.4 kWh battery and strong combined economy. On a 206-mile loop (Swindon to Cardiff with Bristol stops) over 24 hours and no charging, the state of charge rose from 20% to 24% – a pleasant surprise and a hint at how efficiently the hybrid system harvests energy.
A soggy January test is a fair trial. The suspension shrugged off potholes and standing water; grip felt secure; electric-assist torque makes low-speed town work easy. It’s not a sports SUV, body roll appears if you push – but for daily duty, it’s calm, predictable, and confidence-inspiring.
Ergonomic niggles: I repeatedly slipped into neutral when manoeuvring until the selector and drive-mode layout became familiar. Also, the wiper controls weren’t where I expected – extra “fun” when greeted by the traditional Severn Bridge welcome (IYKYK). Not deal-breakers, but worth flagging for first-time users.
Overall, the tech punches above its price, and day-to-day usability is strong.
The Chery Tiggo 8 Summit PHEV is one of the most compelling seven-seat SUVs on sale in the UK right now. The EV range, equipment levels, price, and that recent Carwow Car of the Year recognition speak to a serious contender in a crowded segment.
No, it doesn’t deliver the last word in dynamic finesse, and a few controls take acclimatisation. But as a family SUV that looks good, feels well-equipped, and delivers excellent value, it’s hard to beat at this price. It’s no surprise this sits at the top of my most-quoted list right now.
Thinking of adding one to your fleet? Ping me for a tailored quote that fits your mileage and budget.
Why it matters The Chery Tiggo 8 is one of the most talked-about new arrivals in the UK. In just four months, the brand has carved out just over 1% market share with 5,500+ units sold – remarkable for a newcomer taking on established European and Asian players. The Summit PHEV pairs a 1.5-litre turbo … Continued
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