Chery Tiggo 9 vs Kia Carnival

What's the difference?

Remember when electric vehicles were the next big thing?  Well they still are, it's just that hybrids are making a huge comeback and have entered a new era of the super hybrid. These are plug-in hybrids with enormous driving ranges and Chery’s just arrived Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid is one of these.

The Tiggo 9 is a large seven-seater SUV that competes with the likes of plug-in versions of the Hyundai Palisade and GWM Tank 500, only for less money.

The value is excellent, but how does the Tiggo 9 score in other areas such as the way it drives, its practicality and safety, or its styling and interior feel?

We found out in this first Australian drive.

This is actually the Carnival that Kia always wanted.

See, the last Carnival, the one this replaces, was Covid compromised, missing out on key technologies, as well as skipping an in-depth ride and handling localisation program, due to part supply issues and a freeze on international travel.

This one, though, addresses all of that, which is why you get a new cabin experience, new tech, and a complete overhaul of the steering and handling.

It is, however, significantly more expensive, right across the range.

So, is the Carnival still worth it? Let’s find out.