Australians went from buying an electric vehicle – hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electric –
once every 50 minutes four years ago to once every three minutes in April, according to
Aussie Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen.
Needless to say, there’s a lot going on, with manufacturers, especially those from China,
having a field day. Chery, one of the biggest, not satisfied with standard petro/electric
hybrid performance has extended its super highway’ journey, adding to its rapidly
expanding Tiggo range with a top-of-the-range CSH (for Chery Super Hybrid) ‘9’ model.
So, what’s super about this plug-in hybrid, which stands alone in the Tiggo 9 firmament?
Up to now, plug-in hybrids were hostage to limited EV range and slow ‘fast’ DC
charging.
Well, the 315kW plug-in hybrid delivers 1200km total range at a combined
urban/highway petrol consumption of around 1.4 litres per 100 kilometres for less than
$60,000, before on-road costs. Oh, and it has seven seats.
Tiggo 9 CSH is not the only Chery pushing the ‘super hybrid’ barrow. The smaller Tiggo
8 CSH Ultimate has the same three rows of seats, is shorter on performance and
carries less kit. And it’s $10K cheaper.
Like other Cherys, the Tiggo 9 CSH has a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty with
up to seven years roadside assistance and eight-year 160,000-kilometre battery cover.
STYLING
The seven-seat utilitarian SUV speaks ‘Tiggo’, leading off with Chery brand diamond
point grille, unique 29-inch alloy wheels, fiddly power retractable door handles (not a
fan) and stand-out LED headlamps and taillights, plus dynamic turn signals. Headlamps
have ‘follow me home’ function.
INTERIOR
A premium-class cabin is set off by seven synthetic (who can tell?) leather seats. The
driver gets six-way power adjustment, the front seat passenger six-way powered seat,
including thigh support extension and massage function. Both seats are heated and
ventilated. Interior lighting includes front and rear, plus cargo area, accessed via a
power tailgate.
Second row seats have 60:40 split fold, the third row 50:50. Leg room is good in the
former, with the third-row kiddy-friendly only cramping cargo space. Occupants,
however, are open to a light-and-airy environment through a tilt-and-slide panoramic
sunroof with power shade.
Storage starts with a front centre console box topped off by a comfortable armrest. Four
cup holders serve front and back, map pockets can be found in front seat backs and
coat hooks take outer spots. Dual zone climate control air-con is automatic.
There are some buttons on the centre console, which includes a big circular control
knob for things such as drive modes, EV control, hybrid operation, demisters and AC, as
well as auto buttons for the HVAC system. A volume dial is absent, which is especially
annoying on the move.
The rear cargo area is limited to 143 litres of space, including the under-floor area,
when folded there’s 819 litres, fold the second row and a massive 2021 litres is freed
up.
INFOTAINMENT
A commanding centrally located 15.6-inch LCD infotainment touchscreen augments a
10.25-inch instrument cluster and satellite navigation, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay
and Android Auto.
Say ‘Hello Chery’ and an Intelligent Voice Command takes on requests about system
controls or rely on the touchscreen or steering wheel switches to do likewise.
Almost everything is controlled through the touchscreen and steering wheel, not to the
best effect. The touchscreen lacked intuitive leanings, steering wheel buttons all-but
disappear in bright light and the voice activation, at times, made little sense.
A windscreen head-up display worked a treat, while headrest-mounted speakers, did
their best with sound from the 10-speaker Sony audio with digital radio and AM/FM
tuner.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The revolutionary Chery hybrid system balances power and sustainability, reducing carbon
footprint without compromising on performance. A fifth-generation 1.5-litre turbocharged
petrol engine, which produces maximum 105kW of power and 215Nm of torque, is
mated with a single electric motor delivering 150kW and 310Nm.
Power is sent to the front wheels via a single-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission.
This Stepless Electric Hybrid System offers four driving modes – pure electric, series,
parallel, and energy recovery.
SAFETY
Tiggo 9 CSH features an Advanced Driver Assistance System, which includes adaptive
cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping assist, as well as the
ubiquitous anti-skid braking, electronic stability control, electronic brake force
distribution, brake assist and hill descent control.
As well as nine airbags – driver and front passenger, double curtain side, two front side,
front centre and a pair of second-row airbags – manoeuvring at low speed is aided by
360-degree around view and reversing cameras, plus four front and four rear parking
sensors.
DRIVING
A proximity key fob gets the Tiggo9 Super Hybrid Ultimate ready for the off – unlocked
and powered up by the time the driver is seated, belted up and with foot on the brake.
However, limited steering wheel adjustment made for minor test-car complaints, as did
the side rear-view mirror adjustment via the control centre screen and steering wheel
mounted buttons. Inconvenient on the move.
Silently getting into its stride from a standstill in full electric mode, the petrol/electric
mode can intervene, offering long-range efficiency and speedy refuelling.
The stepless electric drive system offers four modes of operation – pure electric, series,
parallel and energy recovery. Pure electric ideal for low-speed city commuting and fuel
efficiency at speeds above 80km/h. Road noise takes over from engine noise when
under EV-only power.
Up to 95km without charging, the lithium-ion phosphate battery has a capacity of
18.3kWh and, according to the maker, can be charged from 30 to 80 per cent at up to
40kW on a DC fast charger in just 20 minutes. Above 30pc charge the Super Hybrid
System can run as a pure EV up to speeds of 120km/h. In hybrid mode the two units
work together to deliver a driving range of up to 1200km.
Steering is soft, ride and handling conditional, braking sharp and acceleration
impressive under a soft pedal touch.
SUMMARY
Despite some steering and software gripes, the Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid maintains the
seriously ‘super’ Chery traits in many ways, starting with the appealing price of around
$60K.
RATINGS
Looks – 6
Performance – 7
Safety – 8
Thirst – 5
Practicality – 8
Comfort – 8
Tech – 7
Value – 8
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Chery Tiggo 9 CSH $59,990
Note: This price does not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your
Chery local dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Chery Tiggo 9 CSH 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 3sp Dedicated Hybrid
Transmission, AWD, SUV)
ENGINE
Configuration: four cylinders inline
Capacity: 1499cc
Maximum power 315kW
Maximum torque: 580Nm
Fuel type: Premium unleaded petrol 95 RON
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 1.4L/100km
CO2 emissions 34g/km
Electric range: 146km
Combined range 1250km
Electric energy consumption: 154kWh/km
ELECTRIC MOTOR
Three (two front, one rear) permanent magnet synchronised motors
Maximum Net Power: 150kW
Maximum Net Torque: 310Nm
BATTERY PACK
Type: Lithium-ion phosphate
Capacity:34kWh
Max charging rate (AC) 6.6l\kW (type 2)
Max charging rate (DC) 71kW (CCS2(
DRIVELINE: Dedicated Hybrid Transmission, AWD
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4800mm
Width: 1930mm
Height: 1730mm
Wheelbase: 2750mm:
Turning circle: N/A
Kerb weight: 2265kg
Fuel tank: 70L
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Solid disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Seven years / unlimited kilometres (vehicle)
Seven years / 150,000 kilometres (HEV components)
Roadside assist up to 7 years
