Mat’s Car of the Day: drive the Carwow Car of the Year for just £264 a month

You don’t need to break the bank to purchase an award-winner. Back in November 2025, the Carwow Car of the Year awards had something at the top nobody expected – not the latest European saloon car or high-tech Korean SUV, but a great-value model from a Chinese brand that had barely been selling cars for a few months.

That car was the Chery Tiggo 8, and it was our Carwow Car of the Year for a few reasons. The most important, though, was value – and I’ve found a lease deal which makes it even more tempting.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Chery Tiggo 8 lease deals: £264 per month gets you more luxury than you’d think

You can pick up the Chery Tiggo 8 in a couple of engines and trim levels, but we’ve gone straight for the top-end model – it’s in Summit trim and features the plug-in hybrid engine. Despite this, it can be yours for just £264 per month over a four-year term, with 12 months initial rental. The mileage limit is just 5,000 per year, but you can double that for an extra £25 per month.

We’ve gone for this top trim level because, while it’s barely any more expensive to lease than the basic Aspire version, it comes extremely well equipped. The powered front seats are heated, ventilated and massaging, plus you get premium touches like a wireless phone charger, 12-speaker Sony stereo, and a head-up display.

It’s definitely worth getting this plug-in hybrid too, even if you don’t actually plug it in. It’s not only cheaper to lease than the petrol but it’s far more powerful, smoother, and uses way less petrol too. Stick some electricity in it and you get over 50 miles of EV range too, further increasing your fuel economy.

Here are some good reasons to choose the Chery Tiggo 8.

Three good things about the Chery Tiggo 8

It has space for seven

The Tiggo 8 isn’t as spacious in the third row as an MPV – but adults could easily handle a short journey back there and they’re notably roomier than in some alternatives. Or, fold them down, and you get a huge boot.

The hybrid engine is great

Chery does hybrids a bit differently to the European alternatives. The Tiggo 8 has a large battery and powerful electric motor, which it uses for driving the car most of the time – with the engine acting more as a generator unless you really put your foot down. This combination is extremely smooth and quiet, and very economical.

The interior is super-posh for the price

Some Chinese cars can feel like a caravan that just happens to have a giant telly inside – but the Tiggo 8 feels posh and premium in all the right places, with nice soft-touch plastics everywhere and genuinely convincing artificial leather trim. It really embarrasses some much more expensive European cars in this regard.

Three annoying things about the Chery Tiggo 8

The software needs work

The Tiggo 8 has a massive 15.6-inch central touchscreen which is bright and clear – but not the easiest to use, with tons of long, confusing menus. And because it’s responsible for controlling most of the car’s functions, including things such as the air-con, you have to use it. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a bit irritating.

Alternatives are better to drive

The Tiggo 8 is fine around town, but on a country road or the motorway it just feels too soft, and the steering is so light it feels like a video game. A Skoda Kodiaq is more reassuringly solid-feeling – both on a motorway drive and on twisting country roads.

The brand is still quite new

Chery is a gigantic car company worldwide, but it’s only been around in the UK since 2025 – and some owners are reporting things like patchy build quality and long wait times to get their cars repaired or for spare parts to arrive from China. These things will sort themselves out in time, but know that a Tiggo 8 might not be as seamless an ownership experience just yet as a Peugeot 5008 or Kia Sorento.

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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