Chery Tiggo 8 SUV

1.5T PHEV Aspire 5dr DHT [2025]

Yes, yet another Chinese brand has entered the UK motor market – and the list keeps on growing.

BYD, XPeng, Ora, Leapmotor, Omoda and Jaecoo are just a handful of the names that have appeared on British shores over the last year or two. But it’s the last two that give clues as to this latest brand’s origins.

Chery is the parent company, owning both Omoda and Jaecoo, both of which have already launched vehicles over here. But its owner is ready to enter the party, too, under its own brand-name. With that, a range of vehicles known as ‘Tiggo’ is entering the British market, starting with the Tiggo 7 mid-size SUV, and the larger seven-seater, the Tiggo 8.

A smaller compact-crossover Tiggo 4, and a large SUV, the Tiggo 9, are also due soon, with the latter becoming the brand's flagship.

It is the Chery Tiggo 8 we’re looking at today, though. It aims to undercut nearly all its foes – most seven-seater SUVs have a starting price of around £35,000 and above, with many breaking the £40,000 and even £50,000 mark. Yet this fairly large seven-seater SUV is available from just £28,500 – a price most competitors can’t get near. And, as you’re here to lease it, the car will seem even more of a bargain to you.

Does that mean the Chery is cheap and tacky, or has the Chinese manufacturer somehow found a way to produce a quality car at a super-affordable price? We have taken one for a test drive to put it through its paces.