2026 Chery Tiggo 8 CSH Urban Review: Sharp pricing and heaps of equipment aren’t the only positives offered by this plug-in seven-seat family SUV
If 2025 was the year plug-in hybrids became really relevant to Australian mainstream car shoppers then Chery was a big reason why.
The Chinese giant offers CSH (Chery Super Hybrid) versions of its 7, 8 and 9 SUVs, as well as PHEV models from its spin-offs Jaecoo and Omoda.
Here we’re driving the Chery Tiggo 8, which really puts the cat in amongst the pigeons when it comes to seven-seat family SUV pricing and equipment.
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2026 Chery Tiggo 8 CSH Urban price and equipment
There are two Chery Tiggo 8 CSH models: the $45,990 Urban we’re testing here and the $49,990 Limited. These are drive-away prices, which means we’re talking medium petrol five seat SUV pricing for a seven-seat large SUV. You won’t find a new-generation Toyota RAV4 hybrid this cheap when it goes on-sale in 2026.
That’s a big Tiggo 8 asset right there.
Of course the Tiggo 8 is not the cheapest Chery PHEV. That’s the Tiggo 7 starting at $39,990 drive-away. The 7 and 8 share the same 1.5-litre petrol/front-mounted e-motor and 18.3kWh/18.4kWh LFP battery pack.
Above the Tiggo 8, logically, is the Tiggo 9, but it comes with a more powerful all-wheel drive set-up courtesy of three e-motors and a larger battery. It’s also much more expensive with a $59,990 plus on-roads price tag.
The Tiggo 8s are separated by equipment levels. But the Urban doesn’t feel like a pauper pack with its 19-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, hidden doorhandles, a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, separate 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 50W phone charger, embedded satellite-navigation, AM/FM and digital radio, 10-speaker Sony audio, dual-zone climate control, a powered driver’s seat, synthetic leather seat trim and ambient lighting.
Among a couple of other things, it misses out on the Limited’s panoramic sunroof, heating and ventilation for front seats and a massage function for the driver’s seat.
But in a family wagon like this, a more annoying omission from both Tiggo 8s is a power tailgate. They also don’t get a spare tyre, which as we endlessly bang on about should be standard equipment in every new car sold in Australia.
The Tiggo 8’s safety equipment list includes a huge suite of driver assist systems, a bank of camera views and nine airbags, including curtains that provide row three head protection.
There is no ANCAP rating for the PHEV as yet, although petrol Tiggo 8s get five stars based on the performance of the Tiggo 7 sister vehicle.
The Tiggo 8 CSH comes in a choice of five colours, with four being premium and costing an extra $600.
It’s also packaged with a seven-year/unlimited km warranty, an eight-year unlimited km battery warranty, up to seven-years roadside assist if you service at a Chery dealer and seven years capped price servicing.
2026 Chery Tiggo 8 CSH Urban: What we think
The rapid evolution of Chery in Australia has been fascinating to watch. The original C5 (or Omoda 5 as it was then known) was a bit of a horror show, then the Tiggo 7 Pro was a bit better but still very short on finesse.
The Tiggo 8 shows progress continues on. The powertrain is world class, the interior space and appointments generous and the drive experience cohesive.
The pricing is the Chery on top (sorry, had to be said).
The Tiggo 8’s real-world emission-free EV range is closing on 100km, which is pretty darn good for a 2.0-tonne SUV. If you have access to a 240V plug then you’ll comfortably recharge the battery from empty to full overnight.
If you’re only commuting then you can go months without putting any 95 RON in the 60-litre fuel tank.
When you do go on a longer run then you’ll find, as a hybrid, the system is still strongly influenced by the e-motor. It still wants to run on battery power alone as much as possible, using the engine as a generator and really only kicking in to drive the wheels when more accelerative effort is required.
Based on our experience, you’ll end up averaging around 6.0L/100km (ignore the theoretical 1.3L/100km claim), which equates to as much as 1000km between refuels. You probably won’t do that, but then who wants to drive that far without a stop?
The actual performance of the powertrain is peppy and brisk. It’ll chirp or spin the front tyres – especially on a greasy surface – if you are too enthusiastic with the throttle.
Instant e-motor pulling power means the Tiggo 8 holds its own in urban work and the combined powertrain is solidly capable on the open road.
The Tiggo 8’s dynamics aren’t in the same class as the powertrain, but they are acceptable. Most importantly, the independently suspended ride manages to quell – if not smother – all bar the nastiest inputs. You’re aware of what’s going on below the car, but it rarely gets intrusive.
The light steering is very helpful for round town twirling, while the handling and body control are solidly tied down for the open road.
There are so many modes for this car though! Beyond the powertrain, steering and brakes you can even tune the sensitivity of the windscreen wipers through multiple levels.
This all requires drilling into the massive touchscreen, which only serves to emphasise just how distracting this screen-centric approach is.
The Tiggo 8 requires you to head into the screen to adjust audio volume (also doable on the steering wheel) and air-conditioning. A swipe-down shortcut menu allows the somewhat intrusive lane keeping to be turned off (nowhere near as bad as it used to be), but driver monitoring is a multi-step process into the screen.
The front and second rows provide passengers with flat but soft seating, a variety of storage options and comfort features. It feels more expensive in here than its price tag suggests thanks to a pleasant combination of faux and real materials.
The driver selects the gear for the single speed hybrid transmission via a column-mounted stalk that frees up space on the two-level centre console. USB ports are located as far from the driver as possible on the lower level. The lidded centre bin is chilled, which is handy for drinks and food.
Good luck reading some of the tiny numerals in the busy instrument panel.
Row two slides fore-aft in two pieces while the backrest reclines. Comfort features include adjustable air-con vents, dual USB ports, decent door dockets, map pockets, overhead grabs and a fold-down armrest.
Space in row three is dependent on how generous those in row two are feeling. At best it’s for taller people on a short trip or kids for the long haul.
Access to row three is problematic. The seat is set-up to flip and slide forward on the driver’s side – the traffic side. That means parents and kids are being sent into the path of passing traffic. Not good!
The boot is basic in its appointments, but offers plenty of space. There’s 494 litres of luggage as a five-seater and a massive 1930 litres as a two seater. The figure as a seven-seater isn’t given but it won’t be much.
It’s also worth noting there are no child seat top tethers or ISOFIX mounts for row three. Child seats in row two only.
And if you want to tow you’ll have to look elsewhere, as the Tiggo 8 is unrated for braked towing.
2026 Chery Tiggo 8 CSH Urban: Verdict
Not perfect for sure, but undoubtedly competitive, the 2026 Chery Tiggo CSH Urban is much more than just a low price and a heap of equipment.
The powertrain is excellent and typical of the mastery the Chinese makers demonstrate when it comes to PHEVs. The dynamics are decent and the cabin quality and space very good.
Warranty back-up is strong, which is reassuring because we know so little so far about the enduring reliability of Chery vehicles in Australian conditions.
Essentially, if you’re shopping for a family SUV then this vehicle should be on your consideration list.
SCORE: 4.0/5.0
2026 Chery Tiggo 8 CSH Urban specifications
Price: $45,990 (drive-away)
Basics: PHEV , 7 seats, 5 doors, SUV, FWD
EV range: 95km (NEDC)
Combined range: 1200km (claimed)
Battery capacity: 18.4kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate
Battery warranty: Eight-years/Unlimited km
Energy consumption: 15.4kWh/100km (NEDC)
Fuel consumption: 1.3L/100Km Combined (WLTP)
Powertrain: 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder 105kW/215Nm
Motors: 1 front, 150kW/310Nm
Combined output: Unstated
AC charging: 6.6kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 40kW, CCS2
0-100km/h: Not stated
