Verdict
The Chery Tiggo 8 is the bigger, pricier plug-in hybrid play: RM159,800 against RM126,629, with seven seats, a 4,725 mm body and a 201 hp/310 Nm motor backed by a 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine. The MG ZS EV is simpler and cheaper to run as a full EV, with a much larger 51.1 kWh battery and 320 km range versus the Chery’s 18.3 kWh and 90 km EV range. Need seats, take the Chery. Want electric range and lower outlay, take the MG.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 8 if you need seven seats, a larger D-segment SUV body and the flexibility of petrol plug-in hybrid running.
Pick the MG ZS EV if you want the lower price, full-electric driving and a 320 km EV range.
Key differences
- Price: Chery Tiggo 8 RM159,800; MG ZS EV RM126,629
- Seating: Chery Tiggo 8 7 seats; MG ZS EV 5 seats
- EV range: Chery Tiggo 8 90 km; MG ZS EV 320 km
- Battery capacity: Chery Tiggo 8 18.3 kWh; MG ZS EV 51.1 kWh
- Motor output: Chery Tiggo 8 201 hp/310 Nm; MG ZS EV 174 hp/280 Nm
- Size: Chery Tiggo 8 4,725 mm long with 2,710 mm wheelbase; MG ZS EV 4,323 mm long with 2,585 mm wheelbase
Tiggo 8
- Seven seats versus the MG’s five
- Stronger motor output at 201 hp and 310 Nm
- Larger body, multi-link rear suspension and 19-inch wheels
- RM33,171 more expensive
- Much shorter EV range at 90 km versus 320 km
- Smaller listed boot space at 193 litres versus 448 litres
ZS EV
- Full EV with 320 km range
- Cheaper by RM33,171
- Larger listed boot space at 448 litres
- Five seats only
- Lower motor output at 174 hp and 280 Nm
- Smaller B-segment body with a 2,585 mm wheelbase
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 159,800 | RM 126,629✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | — |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 139 hp | — |
| Torque | 215 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Electric |
| Bore | 77 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp✓ | 174 hp |
| Motor Torque | 310 Nm✓ | 280 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-iron Phosphate | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 18.3 kWh | 51.1 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 90 km | 320 km✓ |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | 7 kW✓ |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | 50 kW✓ |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | 2.5 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | DHT | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 8 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,725 mm | 4,323 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,625 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,710 mm | 2,585 mm |
| Weight | 1,916 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 193 litres | 448 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 215/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 215/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | Michelin Primacy 3 ST |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| 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 On Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | 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 | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Second Row | 1 Front, 4 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 10-speaker Sony Sound System | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km battery and drive unit warranty | 8-year/150,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120 | RM 120 |
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 ZS EV FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 8 or MG ZS EV better?
The Chery Tiggo 8 is better for seven-seat family use and petrol-electric flexibility. The MG ZS EV is better if you want a cheaper full EV with far more electric range.
What is the price difference?
The Chery Tiggo 8 costs RM159,800, while the MG ZS EV costs RM126,629. That makes the Chery RM33,171 more expensive.
Which has more electric range?
The MG ZS EV has far more electric range at 320 km. The Chery Tiggo 8 has a 90 km EV range, but it is a petrol plug-in hybrid with a 60 litre fuel tank.