Chery Tiggo 8 vs Kia Sportage
Verdict
The Chery Tiggo 8 asks RM30,161 more, but it is also the bigger-brief SUV here: D-segment, seven seats, plug-in hybrid hardware, a 18.3 kWh battery and 90 km EV range. The Kia Sportage is the simpler C-segment petrol choice, cheaper to buy, lighter at 1,578 kg versus 1,916 kg, and far better for boot space on paper at 587 litres against 193 litres. If you need two extra seats and charging, the Chery has the stronger case. If not, the Kia saves real money.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 8 if you want seven seats, plug-in hybrid running with 90 km EV range, and the longer 7-year/150,000 km warranty.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you want the lower price, a larger 587-litre boot, a lighter body and a straightforward 2.0-litre petrol automatic SUV.
Key differences
- Price: Chery Tiggo 8 RM159,800; Kia Sportage RM129,639
- Seats: Chery Tiggo 8 7; Kia Sportage 5
- Boot space: Chery Tiggo 8 193 litres; Kia Sportage 587 litres
- Powertrain: Chery Tiggo 8 1.5 turbo plug-in hybrid with 18.3 kWh battery; Kia Sportage 2.0 naturally aspirated petrol
- Road tax: Chery Tiggo 8 RM120/year; Kia Sportage RM440/year
- Warranty: Chery Tiggo 8 7 years/150,000 km; Kia Sportage 5 years/100,000 km
Tiggo 8
- Seven-seat layout versus the Kia’s five seats
- Plug-in hybrid system with 90 km EV range, 6.6 kW AC and 40 kW DC charging
- More listed driver assists, including autonomous braking, blind spot warning and lane-keeping assist
- Costs RM30,161 more than the Kia
- Much smaller listed boot space: 193 litres versus 587 litres
- Heavier at 1,916 kg versus 1,578 kg
Sportage
- Lower purchase price
- Larger listed boot space at 587 litres
- Lighter body and a 154 hp petrol engine versus the Chery’s 139 hp petrol engine
- Five seats only, against the Chery’s seven
- No plug-in hybrid battery, charging or EV range
- Shorter warranty at 5 years/100,000 km
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 159,800 | RM 129,639✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 139 hp | 154 hp✓ |
| Torque | 215 Nm✓ | 192 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | 77 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 310 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-iron Phosphate | — |
| Battery Capacity | 18.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 90 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | DHT | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,725 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,710 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,916 kg | 1,578 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 193 litres | 587 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Available for all seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat, Ventilated Front Seats | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Second Row | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 10-speaker Sony Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km battery and drive unit warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 440 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Tiggo 8 vs Sportage FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 8 or Kia Sportage better?
The Chery Tiggo 8 is better for families needing seven seats, plug-in hybrid driving and more listed safety tech. The Kia Sportage is better if you want lower cost, bigger boot space and a simpler petrol SUV.
What is the price difference?
The Chery Tiggo 8 costs RM159,800, while the Kia Sportage costs RM129,639. That makes the Chery RM30,161 more expensive.
Which one has more space?
It depends on the space you mean. The Chery Tiggo 8 has seven seats versus five in the Kia Sportage, but the Sportage has the larger listed boot at 587 litres versus 193 litres.