On 23 June 2026, Chery Malaysia officially launched its brand-new flagship SUV, the Tiggo 9, at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad in Kuala Lumpur. Positioned as Chery’s highest-end offering in Malaysia to date, it also marks the marque's first luxury flagship SUV.
Its price point goes straight into Mazda CX-8 territory. The Tiggo 9 Flexi package is tagged at RM166,800, while the CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD retails for RM165,360. With a price difference of just RM1,440 between them, the gap is practically negligible.
| Specification | Chery Tiggo 9 Flexi | Mazda CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 166,800 | RM 165,360 | CX-8 is RM1,440 cheaper |
| Segment | D-Segment SUV | D-Segment SUV | Both are 7-seater mid-to-large SUVs |
| Engine | 2.0L Turbocharged 4-cylinder | 2.5L Naturally Aspirated 4-cylinder | — |
| Displacement (cc) | 1,998 | 2,488 | — |
| Transmission | 7-speed wet Dual-Clutch (DCT) | 6-speed automatic (6AT) | — |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) | Tiggo 9 adds AWD capability |
| Power | 251 hp | 192 hp | Tiggo 9 makes 59 hp more |
| Torque | 390 Nm | 258 Nm | Tiggo 9 delivers 132 Nm more |
| 0-100 km/h | 8.0 seconds | — | Tiggo 9 source: third-party spec sheet |
| Top Speed (km/h) | 210 | — | — |
| Fuel Consumption (L/100 km) | 8.3 | 7.9 | CX-8 is slightly more frugal |
| Length (mm) | 4,810 | 4,900 | CX-8 is 90 mm longer |
| Width (mm) | 1,925 | 1,840 | Tiggo 9 is 85 mm wider |
| Height (mm) | 1,741 | 1,730 | Tiggo 9 is 11 mm taller |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,800 | 2,930 | CX-8 is 130 mm longer |
| Kerb Weight (kg) | 1,887 | 1,781 | CX-8 is 106 kg lighter |
| Boot Capacity (Litre) |
7 seats up: 143 3rd row folded: 448 all rear seats folded: 2,065 |
209 | CX-8 holds more with all seats up; Tiggo 9 outperforms with seats folded flat |
| Infotainment Screen | 15.6-inch | — | — |
| Instrument Cluster | 10.25-inch fully digital | — | — |
| Audio System | 14-speaker Sony Premium | — | — |
| Front Seat Features | Ventilation + Heating + Massage (10-way power) | — | — |
| Second-Row Seat Features | Ventilation + Heating | — | — |
| Airbags | 10 | Driver / Front Passenger / Front Side / Front & Rear Curtain Airbags | Tiggo 9 offers higher airbag count |
| ADAS | ADAS 2.5 (23 functions) | Mazda i-Activsense (Mid variant omits BSM, RCTA, and AEB) | Tiggo 9 packs far more ADAS tech |
| Camera System | 540-degree HD (with transparent chassis view) | 360-degree (High variant onwards) | — |
| High-Strength Steel Body | 85% (incl. 21% hot-formed steel) | — | — |
| Vehicle Warranty | 7-Year / 150,000 km | Standard Mazda warranty | Tiggo 9 offers longer coverage |
| Engine Warranty | 10-Year / 1,000,000 km | — | Tiggo 9 engine warranty is virtually unmatched in the industry |
| Free Service | 5-Year free service/maintenance | — | — |
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Price | CX-8 (RM1,440 cheaper) |
| Performance | Tiggo 9 (+59 hp / +132 Nm) |
| Drivetrain | Tiggo 9 (AWD vs FWD) |
| Fuel Economy | CX-8 (7.9 vs 8.3 L/100 km) |
| Dimensions | CX-8 is longer, Tiggo 9 is wider |
| Third-Row Space | CX-8 (130 mm longer wheelbase) |
| Boot Space | CX-8 is larger with all seats up; Tiggo 9 dominates when folded flat |
| Tech Equipment | Tiggo 9 (15.6-inch screen, 14-speaker Sony, etc.) |
| Seat Amenities | Tiggo 9 (Ventilated / Heated / Massage) |
| Safety Suite | Tiggo 9 (10 airbags, 23 ADAS features, 540-degree camera) |
| Warranty | Tiggo 9 (7-year car warranty + 10-year engine warranty + 5-year free service) |
| Brand Reputation | CX-8 (Established Mazda track record + proven resale value) |
In Malaysia, the Chery Tiggo 9 is available in a single powertrain trim: 2.0T AWD 7-seater SUV. It is offered with two early-bird packages:
Flexi: RM166,800
Prime: RM179,800
Initial units are fully imported (CBU) from China, with subsequent batches slated for local assembly (CKD).
The Mazda CX-8 carries over unchanged for 2026, retaining its 5-variant AT line-up. The entry-level 2.5 Mid 2WD is priced at RM165,360, equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive.
With a mere RM1,440 price gap, the CX-8 undercuts the Tiggo 9 by a whisker.
This is where the two contenders diverge the most.
The Tiggo 9 is driven by a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine pushing out 251 hp (256 PS) and 390 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and an intelligent all-wheel-drive system.
It completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 9.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 210 km/h. Official fuel consumption is rated at 8.3 L/100 km.
The CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD features a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine delivering 192 hp and 258 Nm of torque, mated to a SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. Official fuel consumption stands at 7.9 L/100 km.
The deficit stands at 59 hp and 132 Nm. The Tiggo 9 dominates in sheer output, while its AWD system provides superior traction on rain-slicked tarmac and unpaved terrain compared to the front-driven CX-8.
The Tiggo 9 measures 4,810 mm long, 1,925 mm wide, 1,741 mm tall, with a 2,800 mm wheelbase.
Boot capacity stands at 143 litres with all 7 seats raised, expanding to 448 litres with the third row folded, and 2,065 litres with all rear seats dropped flat. Kerb weight is 1,887 kg.
The CX-8 measures 4,900 mm long, 1,840 mm wide, 1,730 mm tall, riding on a 2,930 mm wheelbase. Boot capacity with all seats up is 209 litres. Kerb weight comes in at 1,781 kg.
The CX-8 stretches 90 mm longer than the Tiggo 9 and boasts a 130 mm longer wheelbase——giving it a clear theoretical advantage in third-row passenger legroom.
Conversely, the Tiggo 9 is 85 mm wider, offering superior cabin shoulder room. Boot-wise, while the CX-8 fits more luggage when carrying seven passengers (209 litres vs 143 litres), the Tiggo 9 outclasses it in maximum flat cargo space.
Both SUVs come with a practical 2+3+2 7-seater layout.
The Tiggo 9’s equipment list is nothing short of relentless for this price point:
15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen (powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip)
10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster
14-speaker Sony Premium audio system
Front seats with 10-way power adjustment (memory function), ventilation, heating, and massage functions
Second-row seats featuring ventilation and heating
Panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting, Head-Up Display (HUD)
10 airbags
ADAS 2.5 with 23 active safety features
540-degree HD surround-view camera (incorporating transparent chassis view)
85% high-strength steel body construction (including 21% hot-formed steel)
By comparison, the CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD adopts a more traditional kit list:
Infotainment display size is not prioritised on the base trim.
Mazda i-Activsense suite (Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, collision warnings, and Autonomous Emergency Braking)
360-degree view monitor (available on High variant and above)
The Tiggo 9 holds a comprehensive lead in screen size, premium audio, seat comfort features (ventilation/heating/massage), airbag count (10 vs 6), and active driver-assist capabilities.
The Tiggo 9 comes backed by a 7-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty, 10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty, and 5 years of free maintenance service.
The CX-8 is supported by Mazda’s standard warranty package.
On the road tax front, both the Tiggo 9's 1,998 cc engine and the CX-8's 2,488 cc unit sit in the above-2.0L bracket, resulting in comparable annual road tax outlays.
When it comes to fuel consumption, the CX-8’s claimed 7.9 L/100 km holds a slight, albeit marginal, edge over the Tiggo 9’s 8.3 L/100 km.
The buying decision between these two boils down to clear priorities.
You demand superior performance (251 hp vs 192 hp, 390 Nm vs 258 Nm)
You require all-weather All-Wheel Drive traction rather than front-wheel drive
You want cutting-edge tech: 15.6-inch screen, 14-speaker Sony audio, and front ventilated/heated/massaging seats
You prioritise comprehensive safety: 10 airbags, 23 ADAS features, and 540-degree camera view
You value peace of mind from a 7-year vehicle warranty, 10-year engine warranty, and 5-year free maintenance
You prioritise third-row passenger legroom (thanks to the 130 mm longer wheelbase)
You prefer the linear power delivery of a naturally aspirated engine mated to a proven 6-speed automatic transmission
You appreciate Mazda’s hallmark Jinba-ittai driving dynamics and refined chassis tuning
You trust established Japanese brand equity and solid second-hand residual values
The Tiggo 9 takes the crown in performance, equipment, safety kit, and warranty coverage. The CX-8 claws ground back with superior third-row room, handling dynamics, and rock-solid brand reliability.
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