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Choosing a new SUV often comes down to space, powertrain and what you get for your money. Hyundai offers familiar names such as the KONA, TUCSON and SANTA FE. Chery is newer to UK showrooms, but its TIGGO range now covers compact, five-seat and seven-seat SUVs. So how do the two ranges compare?
| Your needs | Chery models | Hyundai models | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact, five-seat SUV | TIGGO 4 Super Hybrid | KONA and KONA Hybrid | Both offer hybrids that do not need plugging in; Hyundai also offers a KONA Electric. |
| Five-seat family SUV | TIGGO 7 and TIGGO 7 Super Hybrid | TUCSON, TUCSON Hybrid and TUCSON Plug-in Hybrid | Chery offers petrol or plug-in hybrid; Hyundai adds a full-hybrid choice between them. |
| Seven-seat family SUV | TIGGO 8, TIGGO 8 Super Hybrid and TIGGO 9 Super Hybrid | SANTA FE Hybrid and SANTA FE Plug-in Hybrid | Chery offers petrol and plug-in choices across the TIGGO 8 and 9; the SANTA FE offers hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, with six- or seven-seat configurations depending on version. |
These are comparisons by everyday use and seating, rather than identical vehicles. Dimensions, equipment and the price of a particular trim may differ.
Chery was established in 1997, although the Chery name arrived in UK showrooms only in 2025. At Glyn Hopkin, the original TIGGO 7 and seven-seat TIGGO 8 have been joined by the compact TIGGO 4 Super Hybrid and flagship TIGGO 9 Super Hybrid. That gives buyers more choice across size and electrification than the initial UK line-up.
The expansion also shows what Chery calls its Super Hybrid approach. The TIGGO 4 is a full hybrid that does not need plugging in. The TIGGO 7, 8 and 9 Super Hybrid models are plug-in hybrids, so drivers can charge them for electric-only journeys and use petrol for longer trips. Chery also backs its new UK vehicles with a fantastic seven-year/100,000-mile manufacturer warranty, subject to its terms.
| SUV type | Chery: model and starting price | Hyundai: closest alternative and starting price | Why consider the Chery? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact, five seats | TIGGO 4 Super Hybrid — £19,995, full hybrid | KONA Hybrid — £31,455, full hybrid | Hybrid driving without plugging in, at a lower advertised entry price. |
| Family SUV, five seats | TIGGO 7 — £24,995, petrol; TIGGO 7 Super Hybrid — £29,995, plug-in hybrid | TUCSON — £30,985, petrol; TUCSON Plug-in Hybrid — £36,680 | The plug-in TIGGO 7 has a lower starting price and offers up to 56 miles of WLTP electric range, compared with up to 43.5 miles for the plug-in TUCSON. |
| Family SUV, seven seats | TIGGO 8 — £28,545, petrol; TIGGO 8 Super Hybrid — £33,545, plug-in hybrid | SANTA FE Hybrid — £49,090; SANTA FE Plug-in Hybrid — £53,200 | Seven seats at a lower starting price, including a plug-in hybrid choice. |
| Flagship, seven seats | TIGGO 9 Super Hybrid — £43,105, all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid | SANTA FE Plug-in Hybrid — £53,200 | Seven seats, all-wheel drive and plug-in capability at a lower advertised starting price. |
| New-car warranty | Seven years or 100,000 miles | Five years, unlimited mileage | Chery offers a longer period of cover; Hyundai’s mileage terms may suit very high-mileage drivers. |
Both are five-seat options for drivers who want hybrid motoring without installing a charger. The TIGGO 4 Super Hybrid starts at £19,995 on Chery's published UK price. The KONA Hybrid starts at approximately £31,455 on Hyundai's UK site. The gap makes the TIGGO 4 particularly interesting if your priority is the initial purchase price, although individual trims and equipment should be compared before making a decision.
Hyundai gives KONA buyers a broader choice of powertrains: petrol, full hybrid and the fully electric KONA Electric. If you want to make the move to an electric SUV with no petrol engine, that is a meaningful difference in Hyundai's favour.
For a larger family SUV, the TIGGO 7 comes as a 1.6-litre petrol model or the plug-in TIGGO 7 Super Hybrid. The TUCSON offers petrol, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Hyundai's full hybrid may appeal if you want an electrified SUV but cannot charge regularly; Chery's plug-in version is worth considering if you can make use of home or workplace charging.
On published figures, the TIGGO 7 Super Hybrid offers up to 56 miles of WLTP electric driving, while the TUCSON Plug-in Hybrid offers up to 43.5 miles. Chery lists the TIGGO 7 Super Hybrid from £29,995 showing great value; Hyundai lists the TUCSON Plug-in Hybrid from £36,680. These are starting prices for different vehicles and specifications, and real-world electric range will vary.
Technology is not exclusive to either brand. Depending on trim, the TIGGO 7 offers features such as heated and ventilated front seats and a 540-degree camera; the TUCSON offers features including a panoramic display, connected services and driver assistance. Check the exact version for the equipment you want.
Families who need a third row can consider the petrol TIGGO 8, the plug-in TIGGO 8 Super Hybrid and the flagship plug-in TIGGO 9 Super Hybrid. The TIGGO 9 adds all-wheel drive to Chery's seven-seat line-up. Hyundai's SANTA FE offers self-charging hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions; certain configurations also offer six seats with second-row captain's chairs.
The published UK starting prices show the difference in positioning: the TIGGO 8 Super Hybrid starts at £33,545, while the SANTA FE Plug-in Hybrid starts at approximately £53,200. The SANTA FE is a different vehicle with its own dimensions and specification, so the price gap should not be treated as a like-for-like saving. Compare third-row room, luggage space with all seats occupied, equipment and the drive itself when choosing a family SUV.
Chery's seven-year/100,000-mile new-car warranty offers a longer time period. Hyundai's new-car warranty lasts five years with unlimited mileage, which could matter more to drivers covering high annual distances. Both are subject to their respective warranty terms. Hyundai's KONA and TUCSON nameplates have also been sold for many years, while Chery's own UK retail presence is more recent; that is useful context when weighing up long-term ownership, without assuming a reliability result for either model.
If a plug-in hybrid is on your shortlist, think about how often you will actually charge it. Published electric ranges and fuel-consumption figures are based on test conditions, and your results will depend on your journeys and charging habits.
Chery is a strong option to explore if you want a well-equipped SUV at a competitive starting price, particularly if you are considering a plug-in hybrid or an affordable seven-seater. Hyundai remains appealing for its established SUV range, full-hybrid choices, electric models and unlimited-mileage warranty.
The best way to decide is to compare the versions that fit your budget and take a test drive. Explore the latest Glyn Hopkin Chery offers or view the full Chery SUV range at our Colchester and St Albans dealerships.
Manufacturer-advertised UK starting prices and specifications checked 23 September 2026. Prices, offers, availability and equipment can change; verify the current vehicle specification and finance terms before publication or purchase. WLTP figures are for comparison and real-world results vary. Warranty terms and exclusions apply.
