What happens when a university professor with a passion for premium cars swaps out a popular hybrid crossover for the newly launched, top-tier luxury plug-in hybrid? You get a highly educated, deeply practical look at the future of driving in Pakistan.
In this episode of the PakWheels Owner Review series, we sat down with Dr. Kashif, a faculty member at LUMS, to talk about his brand-new Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV (2026 Model).
Having previously driven a Haval H6 HEV and a Hyundai Sonata, Dr. Kashif knows exactly what a premium sedan and crossover should feel like. Here is his honest take on why he upgraded to the Tiggo 9, the actual driving costs, and the quirks that come with bleeding-edge automotive tech.
The Price & Purchase Decision: Is It Value for Money?
Upgrading from a Haval H6 HEV to a Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV isn’t just a step up; it’s an entirely different league. The Tiggo 9 sits comfortably in the E-segment, dwarfing typical crossovers. In fact, it commands a wider and slightly longer footprint than a Toyota Fortuner, giving it an undeniable road presence.
When looking at the math, the decision became a no-brainer for a data-driven mind:
- Haval H6 HEV Invoice: PKR 12.0 Million
- Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV Invoice: PKR 13.79 Million
For an incremental difference of roughly PKR 1.8 million, the upgrade unlocks a massive plug-in hybrid powertrain, All-Wheel Drive (AWD), and an ultra-premium cabin that feels tiers above standard local offerings.
While Dr. Kashif crossed paths with the 7-seater Tiggo 8, his preference leaned toward a wider, more planted stance. The Tiggo 9 delivered exactly that, offering unparalleled cabin width compared to segment competitors like the Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe, neither of which offers a New Energy Vehicle (NEV) plug-in variant.
Battery, Range, and Charging Dynamics
The heart of the Tiggo 9 PHEV is its 24.5 kWh battery pack paired with an electric motor. On paper, it boasts an NEDC-claimed all-electric range of 170 km (and around 150 km under WLTP cycles).
However, real-world Pakistani driving conditions tell a different story. Between heavy traffic and sitting in parking lots for 20 minutes with the AC blasting, Dr. Kashif notes that an actual real-world range sits around 100 to 110 km on a full charge.
Real-World Daily Commute
Phase 6 (Home) ───► Phase 5 (Office / School Runs)
Average Daily Run: 40 – 50 km
Result: 2 to 3 days of purely electric driving per charge.
The Cost of Charging: Grid vs. Solar
Chery deserves praise for including both a 7 kW fast charger and a 3 kW portable charger with the vehicle. Using the 7 kW charger, the 24.5 kWh battery charges completely in about 5 hours.
For owners with a home solar setup, running the Tiggo 9 costs virtually nothing. Commercial charging stations, on the other hand, make very little financial sense for daily use:
- In-City Commercial Charging: PKR 100 per unit
- Highway Commercial Charging: PKR 150 per unit
Performance: Why AWD Changes the Hybrid Game
One of the standout performance features of the Tiggo 9 PHEV is its All-Wheel Drive (AWD) setup.
When driving standard front-wheel-drive hybrids or electric vehicles, the instant “kick” or torque from the electric motor can cause front-wheel slip and torque steer. By routing that immediate electric power through an intelligent AWD system, the Tiggo 9 remains perfectly planted, stable, and incredibly responsive across its multiple drive modes (Normal, Sport, Snow, Sand, etc.).
Interior Luxuries and The Mercedes Influence
Step inside the Tiggo 9, and the interior inspiration is impossible to ignore. The door-mounted seat adjustment controls are heavily inspired by modern Mercedes-Benz design, giving the cabin a highly sophisticated feel.
Premium Features at a Glance:
- The “Cloud” Suspension: The ride quality is easily the best among locally available vehicles. It utilizes advanced sensors to scan the road and actively adapt, making the drive incredibly plush and quiet.
- Acoustic Isolation: Cabin noise is exceptionally well-managed, blocking out the chaotic drone of city traffic.
- Smart Audio: The premium Sony sound system features dedicated speakers built into the driver’s headrest. When a phone call comes through over Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the audio is directed straight to the driver instead of echoing through the entire cabin.
- Massaging Seats: While the vehicle skips the “Zero Gravity” seating found in the Tiggo 8, it compensates with built-in seat massagers for both front occupants.
A Note on the 7-Seater Layout: Dr. Kashif treats this vehicle strictly as a luxury 5-seater. The third row is highly compromised and intended solely for children under 10 years old. If you’re looking to transport seven adults comfortably, you’ll need a dedicated MPV.
Technology Quirks and Local Pain Points
No car is perfect, and bleeding-edge technology often comes with localization hiccups in the Pakistani market.
The Heads-Up Display (HUD) Navigation
The Tiggo 9 features a massive panoramic HUD that projects navigation data directly onto the windshield. However, its built-in navigation software defaults to Urdu script. While a localized touch is appreciated, typing addresses in Urdu can be highly frustrating for drivers accustomed to English maps. Furthermore, if you use Google Maps via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, those directions will not project onto the HUD.
The Connected Car App
The dedicated mobile app allows you to lock the doors, pop the trunk, or turn on the climate control from miles away. While it functions well, it occasionally experiences poor connection issues.
Dr. Kashif shared a humorous tech mishap at a local mall:
“I was down in the basement at Emporium Mall when the car suddenly triggered a notification. I checked the app and noticed the lock button was pressed. Because mobile signals are nonexistent in deep basement parking lots, I was terrified to press unlock, fearing the car would get stuck in an unsynced limbo while I was upstairs!
The Absent Spare Wheel
Like many modern NEVs, the Tiggo 9 PHEV does not include a spare tyre. The under-floor trunk space is entirely occupied by hybrid components and batteries. For highway travelers in Pakistan, this remains a significant source of mental discomfort that requires learning to use tire puncture repair kits effectively.
The Fuel Average Reality
The golden question for any PHEV owner: What is the fuel economy?
Because Dr. Kashif uses the vehicle primarily as a city commuter, the digital instrument cluster displays an astronomical, almost comical fuel efficiency rating touching nearly 1,000 km per liter.
When the car occasionally sips fuel in hybrid mode with the AC running hard, it averages roughly around 11.1 km/L. However, since the engine rarely kicks in during short daily trips, owners can literally go months without ever visiting a petrol station.
Compared to a traditional diesel SUV (like a Fortuner), which costs upwards of PKR 30,000 to fill up a single tank, the Tiggo 9 PHEV has effectively turned the family’s traditional garage into a stationary ornament.
You can view the complete owner review here:
Verdict and Company Support
Thus far, the dealership experience with Chery has been remarkably proactive, offering structured follow-ups for the initial 1,000 km check-up. While new entrants in the NEV space still need to do a better job of educating consumers on exact service intervals (since hybrid mileage splits between engine hours and battery miles), the overall backup group behind Chery is solid and reputable.
If you are looking for an ultra-premium, silent commuter that completely untethers you from fuel price volatility, and you have the infrastructure to charge it at home, the Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV stands out as an exceptional value proposition in the premium segment.
Get instant car reviews and updates — follow PakWheels on Google News.
Comments are closed.