Mat’s Car of the Day: the Chery Tiggo 8 is the best-value SUV on sale today
Car changing is a big deal
Mat Watson was hugely impressed by the Chery Tiggo 8 when he reviewed it, so much so he gave it Car of the Year for 2026. Here’s what makes this car so good, as well as how to make sure you get the best deal when buying one.
The cost of running a car is going up and up in recent years, with petrol prices skyrocketing and things like tax and insurance also getting more expensive. It’s for this reason that buyers are looking for bargains, and that’s exactly what the Chery Tiggo 8 is.
This Chinese seven-seater costs the same as some small hatchbacks, offers loads of interior space and comes with stacks of standard kit. I was so impressed with it that I awarded the Chery Tiggo 8 Carwow’s Car of the Year for 2026. Here’s why.
Three good things about the Chery Tiggo 8
1. It feels impressively posh inside
The days of cheap cars feeling flimsy inside are gone, because the Chery Tiggo 8 feels premium enough to shame much pricier models. I reckon the column stalks feel more solid than they do in modern BMWs, and all the things you see and touch regularly are plush and high-quality.
2. You get shed loads of kit
All versions of the Chery Tiggo 8 come with adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera and a huge 15.6-inch infotainment system. For just £3,000 more you get heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a head-up display, wireless phone charging and a heated steering wheel.
3. It’s really roomy inside
Getting comfortable up front in the Chery Tiggo 8 is easy, and there’s also loads of space in the second row. The back seats can slide forwards and backwards, as well as recline, and there’s even enough room in the third row for adults.
Chery Tiggo 8 prices and deals
It’s the price which really makes the Chery Tiggo 8 stand out, because at £28,545 it’s a real bargain. Our top-spec Peugeot 208 hybrid costs about the same, and that’s a small and much less practical hatchback.
And you can get one for even less through Carwow, with average savings of £3,000 available right now. The biggest discount is available on the plug-in hybrid, which in basic Aspire trim can be yours with over £4,000 off. That makes it only slightly more expensive than the petrol model and it’s a price you’ll want to pay as I’ll explain now.
Three annoying things about the Chery Tiggo 8
As brilliant as this car is, the Chery TIggo 8 is not perfect. Here are three things to consider before buying one.
1. The base petrol engine is best avoided
The Tiggo 8 is available with either a 1.6-litre petrol engine or a 1.5-litre petrol plug-in hybrid system, and the former is not a great option. It’s noisy, the gearbox is sluggish and it’s pretty thirsty as well, whereas the hybrid is punchy, smooth and economical. It’s only a few hundred pounds more for the PHEV when you shop through Carwow, and it’s well worth it.
2. It’s not great to drive
If you’re after an SUV which inspires confidence through the bends, this isn’t it. The Tiggo 8 has vague steering and wobbly suspension which makes it tricky to know how the car will behave when cornering. It’s not a dealbreaker in a car as cheap as this, but if you want something which feels more planted through the bends then check out the Skoda Kodiaq.
3. Tiny boot in seven-seat mode
With the third row of seats folded, the Tiggo 8 has a 700-litre boot. That’s decent, despite being down on alternatives like the Kia Sorento, but with all seven seats in place this drops to a piddly 117 litres. Even fitting a backpack is tricky, let alone a weekly shop.
But these are all things which are easy to forgive when you look at the price. If value for money is your number one concern, the Chery Tiggo 8 is the best SUV currently on sale.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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