Chery has wrapped up its Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) rollout in South Africa with the arrival of the Tiggo 8 CSH and it’s making waves with a surprisingly sharp price tag.
Not the Range-Topper You’d Expect
Slotting between the two-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the Tiggo 8 Pro Max, the CSH shares its plug-in hybrid setup with the Tiggo 7. Interestingly, despite its advanced tech, it isn’t the flagship model, nor does it carry the “Pro” badge. Instead, it’s marketed simply as the Tiggo 8 CSH, distancing itself from the “Hybrid-e” name used in its original 2023 preview in China.
Exterior Tweaks and Interior Upgrades
Like the facelifted Tiggo 7, the Tiggo 8 CSH drops “Pro” badging and brings distinct styling updates:
- New grille with black accents
- Revised front bumper
- Standard Auto High Beam Assist LED headlights
- Fresh 19-inch alloy wheels
Inside, the CSH borrows the centre console layout from sister brand Jaecoo’s J7, complete with dual wireless phone chargers, a rotary drive mode selector, and relocated gear shifter mounted on the steering column.
The dashboard also gets a refresh, featuring a freestanding 12.3-inch digital cluster paired with a 15.6-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Central air vents now sit lower, and physical controls give way to touch-sensitive switchgear.
Space, Comfort, and Tech
The CSH retains a seven-seat configuration with boot space ranging from 117 litres to 494 litres expandable to 1 930 litres with the second row folded.
Standard features include:
- 12-speaker Sony sound system
- Dual-zone climate control
- Ambient lighting
- Heated, ventilated, electric, and massaging front seats
- Panoramic sunroof
- Electric tailgate
- Head-Up Display
- Three USB-C ports
Safety kit is equally extensive, boasting 10 airbags, 540-degree camera system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Traffic Jam Assist, and more.
Hybrid Power and Range
Under the hood sits the familiar 1.5 T-GDI petrol engine paired with an 18.3-kWh battery and a single electric motor. Combined output is an impressive 255 kW and 525 Nm, delivering an electric-only range of 90 km and a total driving range of 1 200 km.
Power is sent to the front wheels via a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), with Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes. Claimed fuel consumption is just 5.2 L/100 km.
Warranty and Pricing
Chery backs the Tiggo 8 CSH with:
- 7-year / 200 000 km warranty
- 7-year / 90 000 km service plan
- 10-year / 1 000 000 km engine warranty (transferable under certain conditions)
- 10-year / unlimited km battery warranty
South African Pricing:
- Tiggo 8 Pro 1.6 T-GDI Executive+ DCT – R529 900
- Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0 T-GDI Executive DCT – R669 900
- Tiggo 8 CSH – R729 900
- Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0 T-GDI Executive AWD DCT – R731 900
Key Features
| Category | Features |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | 1.5 T-GDI petrol engine + 18.3 kWh battery, single electric motor, 255 kW, 525 Nm |
| Performance | Electric-only range: 90 km; Total range: 1 200 km; Fuel consumption: 5.2 L/100 km |
| Transmission | Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) with Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes |
| Exterior | New grille with black surrounds, restyled front bumper, Auto High Beam Assist LEDs, 19-inch alloy wheels |
| Interior | 12.3-inch digital cluster, 15.6-inch infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone chargers, rotary drive mode selector, touch-sensitive controls, seven seats |
| Comfort & Convenience | Heated, ventilated, electric, and massaging front seats, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, electric tailgate, 3 USB-C ports |
| Audio | 12-speaker Sony sound system |
| Safety & Assistance | 10 airbags, 540-degree camera system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, and more |
With its competitive price, generous tech list, and efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Chery Tiggo 8 CSH is positioned to be a serious player in South Africa’s hybrid SUV market without even being the range’s flagship.
Related article: Chery Launches South Africa’s Most Affordable Hybrid SUV: Full Pricing and Features Revealed
