The Chery Tiggo 9 Elite Super Hybrid is priced at $52,990 before on-road costs, which undercuts the flagship Ultimate by $7,000. That’s a significant gap for a car that keeps most of the same equipment. The value proposition is hard to argue with on paper.
Standard gear includes powered and heated front seats with driver’s side massage, a 360-degree camera system, panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, and 19-inch wheels. Advanced driver-assist systems are present, though there’s no airbag coverage for third-row occupants and no ANCAP crash-test rating has been issued yet.
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Chery provides a seven-year, unlimited-kilometer warranty and capped-price servicing for the same period. That’s solid ownership protection.
The interior is spacious and well-finished. Front seats are comfortable, the driving position works well, and there’s plenty of storage. Small details like Mercedes-style door-mounted power seat switches, a chilled and heated center console box, and a cooled phone charger add a premium feel.
The 15.6-inch touchscreen uses clear graphics and configurable shortcuts. But the lack of physical buttons means menu navigation is distracting. The voice assistant is unhelpful, climate controls are fiddly, and there’s no direct volume control. It’s a mixed bag.
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The second row offers generous space with a sliding and reclining 60/40 bench. Separate climate controls and four air vents are nice extras. But low seat cushions create an awkward knees-up position for taller passengers, and sliding the bench requires significant effort.
Third-row access is a real problem for RHD markets
The biggest issue with the Tiggo 9 is third-row access. Chery didn’t re-engineer the middle row for right-hand-drive markets, so the only practical way into the third row is through the right-side door, which opens onto traffic. The smaller seat tips forward to allow entry, meaning passengers — particularly children — have to exit onto the road side.
Access from the left door is difficult. The folded backrest sits too high for most people to climb over, and dragging the seat forward to create a gap is a heavy workout.
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Chinese automakers entering Australia have faced similar right-hand-drive conversion issues before, and the Tiggo 9’s compromise suggests the company made a deliberate choice to keep costs down rather than fully adapt the cabin for local conditions. That’s a notable shortcoming in a family SUV.
Once inside, the third row is reasonably comfortable for two adults if the middle row is slid forward. There are reclining backrests, cupholders, vents, and storage. But there are no child seat provisions. Nor can the left passenger exit witho
