One vehicle. Three personalities. The Tiggo V is a seven-seater SUV, a people mover, and a double-cab bakkie – all in one.
The Chery Tiggo V is the automotive equivalent of a Swiss Army knife – an SUV that can transform into a bakkie. It’s the kind of vehicle that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. And it’s coming to South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2026.
With Chery already dominating the local passenger car market – the Tiggo 4 was South Africa’s best-selling passenger vehicle in April 2026 – the Tiggo V represents a bold pivot into the versatile “half-SUV, half-bakkie” space that South Africans love.
What Exactly Is the Chery Tiggo V?
The Tiggo V is Chery’s first “transformable multifunctional family SUV”. It’s a vehicle that can adapt to different lifestyles by switching between three distinct modes:
- SUV Mode: Daily driving, school runs, and weekend getaways with seven seats.
- MPV Mode: A spacious people-mover with a “bed mode” for camping – perfect for road trips.
- Bakkie Mode: Remove the rear roof and third-row seats to create a double-cab load bed.
The name “V” doesn’t stand for “5” – it’s for Versatility, Value, and Victory. It’s built on a long wheelbase of 2,800 mm (longer than a Toyota Fortuner’s 2,745 mm), with a body structure made of 76% high-strength steel and aluminium.
The conversion process involves removing a plastic and glass rear cover – which takes about 45 minutes to remove – along with the third-row seats. A central partition separates the cabin from the load bin.
The CSH Powertrain: Chery’s Super Hybrid System
The Tiggo V will be available with two powertrain options: a conventional petrol engine (ICE) and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) featuring Chery’s Super Hybrid (CSH) system.
The Chery Super Hybrid (CSH) system is a fifth-generation 1.5-litre TGDI dedicated hybrid engine with an industry-leading thermal efficiency of 44.5%. It’s paired with a stepless Super Hybrid DHT (Dedicated Hybrid Transmission).
While Chery hasn’t released final power figures for the Tiggo V, the CSH system in the Tiggo 7 produces a combined 265 kW. The Tiggo V’s PHEV variant is expected to use the sixth-generation Super Hybrid system.
Fuel consumption figures (claimed):
| Variant | Fuel Consumption |
|---|---|
| PHEV (CSH) | 6.0 L/100 km (approx 16.6 km/l) |
| ICE (Petrol) | 7.84 L/100 km (approx 12.7 km/l) |
The PHEV variant also gets a 700 mm wading depth and 220 mm of ground clearance, making it capable for light off-road adventures.
Bakkie Mode: What Can It Carry?
In bakkie mode, the Tiggo V offers a load bin with a payload of 500 kg. The load bin is plastic-lined, features fastening anchors, a sports bar, and a traditional tailgate.
The load bin is notably shorter than that of a standard double-cab bakkie, so you won’t be hauling building materials or large furniture. But for weekend projects, gardening supplies, camping gear, or trips to Builder’s Warehouse, it’s more than adequate.
Towing capacity: Unbraked towing is rated at 750 kg. Braked towing figures haven’t been confirmed yet.
Price Expectations
Chery South Africa hasn’t released official pricing for the Tiggo V yet. However, given its positioning as a flagship model above the Tiggo 9, expect it to be priced at a premium.
For context, the current Tiggo 9 1.5T CSH Vanguard AWD (PHEV) is priced around R824,900 to R989,900. The Tiggo V – with its unique transformable design – could sit in the R900,000 to R1,100,000 range, depending on specification.
Chery has also confirmed that the current warranty and service plan structure will likely apply, though details are yet to be announced.
✅ The Good Bits
- Three-in-one versatility: SUV, MPV, and bakkie.
- CSH hybrid system offers excellent fuel economy (6.0 L/100km).
- 2,800 mm wheelbase – spacious interior.
- 700 mm wading depth and 220 mm ground clearance.
- Chery’s strong sales momentum in SA (Tiggo 4 was best-seller in April).
❌ The Not-So-Good Bits
- 500 kg payload is less than a proper double-cab bakkie.
- 45-minute conversion time – not a quick switch.
- Load bin shorter than traditional bakkies.
- Pricing likely above R900,000.
- Unbraked towing limited to 750 kg.
More from DriveZA
If you’re interested in Chery’s growing lineup, check out our Chery KP31 bakkie review and our Chery Tiggo Cross CSH review. For more on the bakkie wars, see our Kia Tasman guide.
For official Chery South Africa news, visit Chery South Africa.
The DriveZA Verdict
The Chery Tiggo V is the kind of vehicle that makes you wonder why nobody built it sooner. It’s an SUV, a people mover, and a bakkie – all in one package. For South Africans who need one vehicle to do it all, it’s a compelling proposition.
It’s not a replacement for a full-size bakkie – the 500 kg payload and shorter load bin see to that. But for families who occasionally need to haul gardening supplies, camping gear, or DIY materials, it’s perfect.
With Chery’s strong sales momentum in South Africa – the Tiggo 4 was the best-selling passenger vehicle in April 2026 – the Tiggo V has a real chance to carve out a new niche. It’s bold, it’s unconventional, and it might just be the most versatile vehicle you can buy.
Would you buy an SUV that turns into a bakkie? Let us know in the comments.
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