Chery Australia has announced that a new Elite model has joined its Tiggo 9 large SUV line-up. Priced from $52,990 plus on-road costs, the Elite is $7000 less expensive than the Ultimate model already on sale. Some equipment has been taken out of the Ultimate to make the Elite, but it remains well equipped and still uses the brand’s Super Hybrid plug-in hybrid tech, reportedly making it capable of a total range of 1250km from a full tank of fuel and battery.

Unlike the Tiggo 9 Ultimate, the Elite eschews a rear axle motor for a front-wheel drive layout, resulting in lower peak outputs of 225kW/450Nm versus 315kW/580Nm for the Ultimate. The Elite also features a smaller 19kWh battery versus the Ultimate’s 34kWh unit, giving it a claimed NEDC electric range of 90km versus 170km. The Elite can be DC fast charged at up to 31kW, which is 30kW less than the Ultimate – the 6.6kW AC charging maximum is unchanged, however.

However, because of its lower tare mass (1985kg versus 2220kg), the Elite is more efficient than the Ultimate with a 15.6kWh/100km energy useage and 1.3L/100km fuel useage (with a full battery), compared with the Ultimate’s 19.0kWh/100km and 1.4L/100km ratings.

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The Elite also features less standard equipment compared with the Ultimate, including leather upholstery, extra front seat adjustment, smaller wheels, less driving modes, a head-up display and less speakers. However, it still features a panoramic sunroof, synthetic leather trim, heated and electrically adjustable front seats with driver’s massaging, a 15.6-inch touchscreen, selectable ambient lighting, Sony audio and a full suite of active safety features.

The Chery Tiggo 9 Elite is available to order now ahead of the first deliveries commencing from the start of May 2026.

2026 Chery Tiggo 9 pricing (excluding on-road costs):

Elite$52,990
Ultimate$59,990

Chery Tiggo 9 Elite standard features:

  • 19-inch alloy wheels
  • Dusk-sensing automatic LED headlights
  • Rain-sensing automatic wipers
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Electric tailgate
  • Keyless entry and start
  • Heated/auto-folding mirrors with puddle lamps
  • Synthetic leather upholstery
  • Six-way electric front seats with heating and driver’s lumbar and massaging
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents
  • 10.25-inch digital driver’s display
  • 15.6-inch touchscreen
  • Satellite navigation
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Eight-speaker Sony sound system
  • 50W wireless phone charger
  • Colour-selectable cabin ambient lighting
  • Eco/normal/sport/EV/hybrid driving modes
  • Anti-theft alarm
  • 10x airbags
  • Autonomous emergency braking
  • Adaptive cruise control with adaptive lane guidance
  • Lane keeping assistance
  • Traffic jam assist
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert (with braking)
  • Door open warning
  • Driver attention monitoring
  • Auto high beam
  • Speed sign recognition
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • 360-degree camera

Tiggo 9 Ultimate model adds to Elite:

  • Extra motor on rear axle for all-wheel drive
  • Additional snow/sand/off-road driving modes
  • Larger 20-inch alloy wheels
  • Leather upholstery
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Massaging front passenger seat
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Heated outboard rear seats
  • Head-up display
  • Four extra speakers
  • Auto-dimming interior mirror
  • Automatic parking functionality