RAM 2500 vs Chery Tiggo 9

What's the difference?

If you're a grey nomad with a massive caravan searching for something to do the big lap in, or a big boater seeking an effortless weekend getaway machine, then this sort of ute makes sense. The HD series shows just how much more muscle is available, for those who genuinely need it.

But if towing or hauling to the max isn’t your priority, then the far-more dynamic – and class-leading – Ram 1500 series does everything else with much-greater aplomb.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

The Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid is outstanding in many ways, especially value and the way it drives. I can only stress the importance of charging this vehicle frequently, however, otherwise it will go from super hybrid to super fuel consumer.

You can spot the HD facelift by the bi-LED headlights and bulgier bonnet, while chrome’s been replaced by black trim inside and out, including in the restyled grille, alloy wheels and side steps, for a more-modern appearance.

Both models are identical bar the badging. However, while they share a tri-link solid front axle system, the 2500 HD features coil-spring rear suspension, while the super heavy-duty 3500 HD relies on leaf springs. That’s for it to achieve maximum pulling and hauling capability.

Inside, the already-contemporary dashboard, with its 12-inch Tesla-esque portrait touchscreen, remains much the same as before, except for a few detail updates to accommodate the big new centre console, twin wireless charger housings, extra USB ports and restyled electronic instrument cluster.

Otherwise, it’s as vast as ever.

Chery has crafted a superb-looking SUV here. Sure, the design isn’t ground-breaking or unique, but styling is beautiful from the large grille and multi-spoke wheels to the chrome framed windows and smooth lines of the tailgate.

Our car was painted in 'Aurora Green', which looks stunning in the sunlight. There’s also 'Cosmic Black', 'Star White' and 'Technical Grey'.

The cabin is super modern and luxurious looking, with only a few physical buttons for the hybrid system and climate control. The leather seats are a lovely high-end touch, and while the level of refinement is not up there with the likes of Audi and Lexus flagships the build quality appears to be good.

The Tiggo 9 stretches 4800mm end to end and is 1930mm wide. That classifies it as a large SUV, albeit not an enormous one. A fairly short wheelbase of 2750mm means the cabin space isn’t as voluminous as you might have thought.

As with all Walkinshaw Automotive Group utes (that includes the Silverado), the Ram HD’s fit and finish seem exemplary, with an insider suggesting the quality may exceed the North American factory original.

This is no small feat. Ateco Automotive, the instigator and original importer of over 35,000 (and counting) remanufactured left-hand to right-hand-drive DS, DT and DJ full-sized utes in Australia since the first 2500 HD rolled off the Melbourne production line in 2015, says “between 400 and 500” unique engineering pieces are necessary.

Compared to the pre-facelift versions, the DJ Series II sees a switching out of the old front bench seat, which meant the earlier versions were six seaters, to shapelier individual items. Apparently, comfort and convenience are what buyers prefer, since a large centre console with armrest is now included. It’s certainly seems plush and luxurious inside.

Along with greater storage, the Ram’s electronic instrumentation is new and the multimedia system has been updated, with extra USB ports as well as twin phone chargers.

The driving position might be compromised for some by a lack of reach adjustability for the steering column (unlike in the DT 1500), and the foot-operated park brake seems like an anachronistic nowadays, but otherwise everything is easy to reach and operate – despite being scattered all about – after you’ve learned what all the buttons and switches do.

Meanwhile, the now-fixed seats can accommodate a trio of burly occupants no problems due to the sheer width of the cabin.

Included are air vents, extra USB ports, a sliding back window and storage underneath the seat cushions and within a special floor compartment.

Owners can also create a raised floor section, by tilting both cushions up and folding down two corresponding bases for a flat and even load area, with additional hidden storage within the now-covered footwells.

Overall, the Ram’s cabin balances convenience and utility quite well.

Further back, the tub length is 1938mm, width is 1687mm and 1295mm between the wheel arches and height is 511mm. This compares to the Silverado 2500’s superior corresponding figures of 2089mm/1814mm/1317mm/533mm, respectively.

A swing-away step is provided to help tub access, as well as a spray-in bedliner, strut-assisted tailgate-close and 12-pin towbar fitted as standard.

Maximum towing capacities vary from 3.5 tonnes to an unmatched eight tonnes with the correct accessories. The 2500’s payload is 785kg while the 3500 more than doubles that. And standard exhaust brakes help with braking on long descents when fully laden.

Which brings us to the heart of the matter. Muscle.

The Chery Tiggo 9 is not overly large and with a relatively short wheelbase the cabin room is adequate but not outstanding. I’m tall at 189cm, but there is still room for me to sit behind my driving position and headroom is good, too. That said, the cabin floor is high which raises the knee height for second row passengers.

The third row is really just for children and for those occasional but unpredictable times when as a parent you’re suddenly thrown into having to transport more kids home or to parties.

Cabin storage is good with door pockets and cupholders front and back, while a large storage area under the centre console is great for loose items or even a handbag or small backpack.

The wireless charger is perfectly situated on top of the console and features a grippy soft surface.

I would have liked more physical dials and buttons for climate and the stereo, which are accessed through the central screen.

Boot space, according to Chery, is larger than it looks, with the manufacturer saying with the third row up there is 143 litres of cargo capacity and with five seats in place it's 819 litres.  

There is only one grade in the Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid line-up - the Ultimate - and it lists for $59,990. It’s remarkably affordable compared to many rivals and the value is outstanding.

As you might imagine the Ultimate is fully loaded with features.

There are leather seats - powered adjustable, massaging, heated and ventilated in the front, while the second row outboard seats are heated and ventilated, too.

There are big screens - a 15.6-inch media display and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a head-up display. There’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat nav, a 12-speaker Sony sound system and digital radio.

There are LED headlights and tail-lights, 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, privacy glass and a power tailgate. 

Under the now-bulgier bonnet may be the torquiest engine money can buy, at least in something that does not require a special driving license. Or pilot's licence.

Completely overhauled with a redesigned engine head, larger intake and exhaust valves, a new turbo, heavier-duty pistons, a higher-pressure fuel system and upgraded intake manifold amongst other changes, the Cummins-sourced 6.7-litre in-line six-cylinder turbo-diesel unit now delivers 313kW of power at 2800rpm and 1458Nm at 1800rpm.

Formerly making 276kW and 1152Nm, the new figures are 13 per cent and 26 per cent better than before (respectively), reducing the power gap with the Silverado’s 350kW/1322Nm 6.6L V8 turbo-diesel, while easily leap-frogging it for torque.

At 3710kg (kerb), the HD’s power-to-weight ratio improves significantly despite putting on about 100kg, from 76.5 kW/tonne to 84.4kW/tonne.

Meanwhile, a ZF-supplied eight-speed auto replaces the old six-speed unit. It’s now a second faster to 100 at under 7.3 seconds and the spread of extra gears should improve highway fuel consumption, albeit slightly.

Drive is sent to the rear wheels in two-wheel drive (2WD) mode in most cases. However, 4WD High (4H) is also available via a part-time dual-range transfer case and is selectable on-the-fly, though it is not recommended for operation above 80km/h, while 4WD Low (4L) is for rougher terrain at very low speeds.

The Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid has three electric motors (two at the front and one at the rear), plus a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The combined output is a whopping 315kW and 580Nm.

A dedicated hybrid transmission sends drive to all four wheels. 

Ram says the Australian Government doesn't mandate an official combined fuel consumption figure for full-sized utes like these, so there is no average economy number for us to share.

But the trip meter in two of our test vehicles said it consumed between 15 litres per 100km and 15.6L/100km of diesel fuel, and both had not been towing a trailer or load since being reset.

Despite the new ZF eight-speed auto’s revised final drive ratio (now 3.42:1 instead of 3.73:1) to help improve efficiency, clearly this is no Toyota Prius.

Based on those trip computer numbers, expect the 117-litre fuel tank to provide about 760km between refills. Handily, the 28.4L AdBlue reservoir comes with its own tank display on the dash.

The Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid. There’s a fuel tank for petrol (95 RON minimum) and a charging flap for you to fill up the 34kWh battery.

Super hybrids are so-called because of their relatively big batteries and longer ranges. Chery says on a full 70-litre tank and charged battery the Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid has a range of 1250km (NEDC). The WLPT range isn’t given but while it will still be impressive it would be less than the NEDC. The same goes for the electric-only range of 170km (NEDC).

If you keep the battery charged, fuel consumption is outstanding. In our short time with the car the trip computer was reporting an average 1.4L/100km, which is exactly the manufacturer's claim.

I noticed that once battery charge fell below 20 per cent the fuel economy worsened to 7.1L/100km.

The battery has a 71kW DC charging capacity however and will fill up fast.  But you will have to top up frequently to get the good fuel economy.   

The Ram HD’s column shifter and foot-operated park brake say it all. This is a big, floaty and, at times, old-fashioned American truck, and that is certainly how it feels from behind the wheel.

2500 HD first.

From the initial burble of the forced-induction in-line six diesel, you can feel the torque simmering restlessly within. Slot the awkward selector into Drive, and – depending on how much heft you’re hauling – the Ram will lurch off the line like a startled bull, and before you know it, you’re bounding along.

If lightly laden, you’ll even momentarily spin the rear wheels in the lower ratios – second (the start-off gear; first’s for lugging only), third and maybe even fourth if the surface is slippery enough, though the traction controls will quell anything more than a bit of a bum wiggle.

From there on in, on a straight piece of highway anyway, the 3.7-tonne ute just strides along effortlessly, picking up the pace with ridiculous ease as required. You’re soon aware that the cruise control is vital if you’re going to keep your licence.

If you’re wondering how different the HD feels compared to the related regular Ram 1500, the first corner will serve up some answers soon enough.

The steering is light and reassuringly measured in response, but also numb and less precise than expected, if not quite vague, meaning you need to feed in inputs carefully. Especially at speed. Rushing it in, or blundering through a tighter turn carelessly, will have the laws of physics reminding you of this truck’s length and girth, and not to mention maybe the long arm of the law on your tail as well before long. Anyway, other road users will soon let you know as well. Take it easy.

Over the varied and at-times tight rural roads of Victoria’s Gippsland region, the endless pitter-patter of the unladen suspension, combined with the constant pitching from the body and trigger-happy brakes, resulted in motion queasiness, if not sickness. We’ve been assured that with a load as intended, everything including our internal sense of balance should settle down. Which makes sense. A boat or caravan out back should provide the anchoring effect required.

Back on straighter and smoother ground, where the 2500 smothers and smooshes most things before it, you’ll be glad for the commanding vision aided by the massive mirrors and surround-view cameras, helping to boost driver confidence, particularly when weaving through traffic or in parking scenarios.

But the compromises demanded for the ability to haul up to eight tonnes means this is a very niche proposition.

Which is why Ram insisted on us testing the sole 3500 HD with a 3.5-tonne caravan hitched out back, on the ex-Holden speed loop at Lang Lang.

This was a test of acceleration and control, and – again – we managed to spin the rear wheels in the lower gears.

Likewise, all that torque was delivered without struggle or strain, and almost immediately the 3500 was sitting steadily at 110km/h. The planted chassis and various electronics seamlessly kept everything in line.

But the track surface was too calm to assess the ride comfort from the leaf-sprung suspension, and we weren’t allowed to venture on to public roads.

Returning back to base, we even forgot all about the caravan quietly shadowing our every move out back, which is a sign of the 3500’s towering towing confidence.

Which is exactly what it says on the tin.

The Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid drives silently and smoothly with strong acceleration just like an electric car for the most part while in the city at lower speeds.

Hills and higher speeds call on the engine to help but even then the transition is almost imperceptible. 

A comfortable ride with well set up suspension, light and accurate steering make for an impressive and effortless driving experience.

There are downsides, like the brake pedal feel. As in many hybrids there’s a ‘wooden’ sensation and I felt I needed to depress the brake pedal harder and longer to pull up at times. This is a heavy vehicle at 2200kg and brake response could be better.

The active safety tech is also intrusive, as is the case with so many cars these days, but the alerts and warnings can be turned off. 

The Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid hasn’t been assessed by ANCAP yet, but the safety tech is in abundance with everything from AEB, front and rear cross-traffic alerts with braking, lane keeping assistance and blind-spot warning.

For child seats there are three top tether anchor points and two ISOFIX points in the second row only.

There are also 10 airbags onboard.

I’ve mentioned the intrusive safety alerts in the driving section, and while they can be turned off, they can also be life saving.

So, here's where the news may not be so good for potential HD buyers, because the Ram’s warranty is well below its main competitor.

Now it is the sole US full-sized ute with a three-year, 100,000km warranty, instead of the five-year/unlimited-kilometre coverage offered by the others.

And don’t forget, this is the era where (albeit smaller) utes from Kia have seven years while Mitsubishi, Nissan and MG are up to 10 years (conditionally).

Service intervals are at just six months or 12,000km and there are no capped-price servicing options either.

As a result of trailing the competition so badly in these key areas, the Ram HD’s overall rating has been dragged down significantly.

Along with the 75 Ram dealers throughout every state and territory in Australia, there are an additional three garages that will service the vehicles.

The Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, while the battery has an eight-year unlimited-kilometre warranty.

There’s also roadside assistance and capped price servicing for seven years at $3174, or an average of $453 per year.

Chery's national dealer network consists of 86 sites, including 21 in Melbourne, 20 in Sydney and 12 in Brisbane.