The Chery Tiggo 8 APEX I Is More Than Just a Bigger Family SUV

There is a point where a family SUV stops being about simply getting more seats.

You start looking at how those seats are used.

You start thinking about luggage, school runs, long-distance trips, passengers, comfort and the little things that make living with a large vehicle easier.

And then there is the question that ultimately matters most:

Does the car justify what you're paying for it?

That is where the Chery Tiggo 8 APEX I becomes interesting.

For October's DWL Journal Vehicle of the Month, we're looking at one of Chery's most important family SUVs — a seven-seater that has recently received a substantial design, technology and comfort update.

Priced at R569,900, the Tiggo 8 APEX I sits between the Tiggo 8 Pro LS and the more powerful Tiggo 8 Pro Max in Chery South Africa's current range.

And while the badge says Tiggo 8, this isn't simply the old car wearing a few new features.

A More Confident Tiggo 8

The first thing you'll notice is the revised design.

Chery has given the APEX I a redesigned front end, LED lighting and a full-width rear light treatment, while 19-inch alloy wheels give the vehicle a more substantial stance.

At 4,725 mm long, 1,860 mm wide and 1,705 mm high, with a 2,710 mm wheelbase, this is not a small SUV pretending to be a seven-seater.

It has the physical presence you'd expect from a large family SUV.

And that's important because the Tiggo 8's appeal isn't purely about the number of seats.

It's about creating a vehicle that can comfortably occupy the role of the family's main car.

Seven Seats — But Who Are They Really For?

Seven seats are an easy selling point.

But seven usable seats are a different story.

The Tiggo 8 follows the familiar 2+3+2 configuration, giving you two front seats, a three-seat middle row and two seats at the rear.

For families, that flexibility matters.

You might not need all seven seats every day.

That's fine.

The value is having them when you do.

Children at the back.

Grandparents joining a trip.

Friends coming along.

Or simply having the flexibility to carry more people without immediately reaching for a second vehicle.

That is where the Tiggo 8 earns its place in Chery's range.

The Tiggo 4 Cross and Tiggo 7 can cover the needs of smaller households.

The Tiggo 8 is the option for buyers whose lives have outgrown the five-seat SUV.

The Cabin Is Where Chery Makes Its Argument

Step inside and the Tiggo 8 APEX I continues with the same philosophy we've seen across the newer Chery range:

Give buyers a lot of technology without making them climb into the luxury-car price bracket.

The APEX I features a dual-screen digital cockpit, wireless smartphone charging, dual-zone climate control and a 64-colour ambient lighting system.

But some of the more interesting features are the ones you appreciate over time.

The front seats are electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated, while the front passenger gets a massage function and powered leg rest.

That's an unusual level of comfort equipment at this price point.

And it changes the character of the car.

The Tiggo 8 isn't trying to be merely practical.

It's trying to make the daily commute, the school run and the long weekend trip feel considerably more comfortable.

The 540-Degree Camera Isn't Just a Party Trick

Large SUVs can be intimidating in tight spaces.

That's where the 540-degree surround-view camera becomes more than another item on the specification sheet.

It gives the driver a much clearer view around the vehicle when parking or manoeuvring.

For a vehicle measuring more than 4.7 metres long, that's genuinely useful.

The APEX I also comes with seven airbags and a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems.

And this is one area where the Tiggo 8 deserves credit.

Safety equipment shouldn't be treated as a luxury feature.

It should be part of the fundamental ownership proposition.

What Powers It?

The Tiggo 8 APEX I uses Chery's 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, producing 137 kW and 275 Nm.

Power is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Chery quotes 7.7 L/100 km on the WLTP combined cycle, with a 57-litre fuel tank.

The numbers aren't class-leading in every respect.

But that's not necessarily the point.

The Tiggo 8 APEX I isn't positioned as the performance hero of the range.

That's where the Tiggo 8 Pro Max comes in, with its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 187 kW and 390 Nm, available with front- or all-wheel drive.

The APEX I is instead about finding the middle ground:

Enough performance for a family SUV, without paying for performance you may not need.

APEX I vs Pro Max: Which One Makes More Sense?

This is where things get interesting.

The Tiggo 8 Pro Max starts at R669,900, meaning you're looking at a substantial jump over the APEX I.

In return, you get considerably more performance and an available all-wheel-drive system.

But here's the question I'd ask:

Do you actually need it?

If you're regularly towing, travelling with a full load or simply want a much more powerful SUV, the Pro Max makes a compelling case.

But if your everyday life consists mainly of school runs, commuting, shopping and occasional road trips, the APEX I could be the more rational choice.

You're getting the seven seats.

You're getting the technology.

You're getting the comfort.

You're getting the safety equipment.

And you're keeping nearly R100,000 in your pocket compared with the Pro Max's starting price.

That's a meaningful difference.

What About the Tiggo 8 Pro LS?

The other interesting option is the Tiggo 8 Pro LS, which starts at R499,900.

That makes it the value entry point into the current Tiggo 8 family.

It also uses the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and seven-speed DCT, with a claimed 7.2 L/100 km WLTP consumption figure. Its equipment includes dual 12.3-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 540-degree camera and heated and ventilated front seats.

So the real decision becomes:

Save money with the Pro LS, step up to the APEX I for more comfort and styling, or spend significantly more for the Pro Max?

That's a much more useful question than simply asking which Tiggo 8 is the most expensive.

And Then There's the PHEV

The Tiggo 8 range has also moved into electrification.

The Tiggo 8 PHEV is currently listed at R729,900, with Chery quoting 255 kW and 525 Nm combined, 5.2 L/100 km claimed consumption and a total range of more than 1,200 km.

That is a completely different proposition.

It's more powerful.

It's more technologically complex.

And it brings plug-in hybrid ownership into the conversation.

But again, the buyer needs to ask whether the additional cost and hybrid proposition actually fit their lifestyle.

Not everyone has a home-charging setup.

Not everyone needs 255 kW.

And not everyone wants to spend more than R700,000 on a family SUV.

Sometimes the smartest choice is the one that gives you enough.

The Ownership Proposition

Chery's ownership package is one of the factors that needs to be considered when looking at the Tiggo 8.

For the APEX I, Chery provides a seven-year/200,000 km vehicle warranty, a five-year/75,000 km service plan, and its first-owner 10-year/1-million-kilometre engine warranty.

Those numbers certainly strengthen the proposition.

But DWL's advice remains the same:

Don't buy a car because the warranty is impressive.

Look at the entire deal.

Ask about the interest rate.

Ask about the deposit.

Ask about the balloon.

Ask what servicing costs after the included plan.

Ask what insurance will cost.

And most importantly, ask what the car will realistically be worth when you eventually want to sell it.

A low monthly instalment doesn't automatically mean a cheap car.

So, Who Should Buy the Tiggo 8 APEX I?

This is a vehicle I'd put in front of buyers who:

• Need seven seats
• Want a large family SUV
• Value comfort and technology
• Regularly travel with passengers
• Want a substantial vehicle without moving into premium-brand pricing
• Prefer equipment to be included rather than added as expensive options
• Want a modern alternative to the traditional family-SUV choices

But there is an equally important second list.

Who Shouldn't Buy It?

If you rarely carry more than four or five people, start with the Tiggo 7.

If you don't need the space, don't pay for it.

If you want outright performance, look at the Pro Max.

If you're specifically looking for a plug-in hybrid, the PHEV deserves its own comparison.

And if your priority is simply buying the most established nameplate in the segment, don't let a long equipment list convince you otherwise.

Buy the vehicle that matches your life — not the vehicle with the longest specification sheet.

The Price Question

The Tiggo 8 APEX I is priced at R569,900 in South Africa.

That's not pocket change.

But neither is it a small premium-car price for a seven-seat SUV with this level of equipment.

The APEX I occupies an interesting middle ground.

It's substantially more expensive than the Tiggo 7.

It's cheaper than the Tiggo 8 Pro Max.

And it offers a very different proposition from the Tiggo 8 PHEV.

That makes it arguably one of the most interesting versions of the Tiggo 8 to evaluate.

The DWL Verdict

Would You Buy the Tiggo 8 APEX I?

If you're shopping for a seven-seat SUV around the R500,000–R600,000 mark, would you choose the Tiggo 8 APEX I — or would you spend more on the Pro Max?

Tell us what you'd choose and why.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Chery Tiggo 8 APEX I in South Africa?

The Chery Tiggo 8 APEX I is priced at R569,900 in South Africa.

How many seats does the Tiggo 8 have?

The Tiggo 8 is a seven-seater, arranged in a 2+3+2 configuration.

How powerful is the Tiggo 8 APEX I?

The 1.6-litre turbocharged engine produces 137 kW and 275 Nm, with power sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to the front wheels.

What is the Tiggo 8 APEX I's fuel consumption?

Chery quotes 7.7 L/100 km on the WLTP combined cycle.

Does the Tiggo 8 have a warranty?

Yes. The APEX I is covered by a seven-year/200,000 km vehicle warranty, with a five-year/75,000 km service plan and a 10-year/1-million-kilometre engine warranty for the first owner.

Is the Tiggo 8 Pro Max better than the APEX I?

Not necessarily.

The Pro Max is more powerful and offers an available AWD system, but it also starts at R669,900. For buyers who don't need the extra performance, the APEX I may offer the better balance of equipment, comfort and price.

Vehicle pricing and specifications are correct at the time of publication and may change. Buyers should confirm current pricing, specifications, finance rates and available offers with an authorised Chery dealer before making a purchase.