When my boys were younger, we always had a seven-seater car on the driveway. We had space for all their friends and our extended family for days out and general running around. People carriers were the order of the day back then, but now we have large SUVs with that all important extra row of seats.

One of the latest entrants is the Tiggo 9, from Chinese brand Chery, and I was recently in Sussex for the UK media launch. So, how does it stack up?

The range is simple to understand as there is just one trim-level and one plug-in powertrain. And then there’s the price - £43,105. Rivals are many – Skoda Kodiaq, Peugeot 5008, Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe to name but a few. The French offering can match the Tiggo 9 on price, but you’ll need a lot more to have one of the Korean cars on your driveway.

Chery has not stinted on the Tiggo 9’s specification. Expect to find comfortable heated and ventilated seats both front and rear, a powered tailgate and excellent cameras making low speed manoeuvring a doddle. Should the peace and quiet of the cabin not be to your liking, Chery has partnered with Sony for the sound system. Though I was deep in conversation with my driving partner on the test route, we did pause the chat for some tunes and mighty fine they were too.

The cabin is bathed in light from the panoramic glass roof, and there’s storage space aplenty, a must in a family bus. Large door bins, a compartment under the front armrest, you get the idea. Those seated in the middle row can adjust their back rest electrically and the seat moves forward if you need to give more space to those seated in the very back row. It can be a bit of a compromise.

I was able to fit in the third row of seats, but access is always a bit of a challenge. Children will love it and will find space aplenty to spread out. With all the seats in use, luggage space is modest at a little under 150 litres. A roof box or trailer will solve that issue (you can tow a trailer up to 1,500kg). Fold the third row away and 820 litres should suffice for most duties.

As is increasingly common these days, most tasks are completed using the 15.6-inch central touchscreen. With my time with the car short, I found it reasonably simple to use when stationary. No, doubt greater familiarity would make it easier to use on the move. Voice activation is said by Chery to be the way to get the best out of the system. It did not seem to like my driving companion’s Scottish accent and I too struggled to get it to perform simple tasks like turning the heating up.

In front of the driver is another digital display (10.25-inches) and this conveys all the driving information you will need in a clear and easily readable style.

Cars such as the Tiggo 9 are designed to perform family duties, but should you be a bit of a speed demon, Chery’s latest offering will surprise. A modest 1.5-litre petrol engine is mated to three electric motors. There are two at the front and one at the rear and all combined some 428bhp is available at the mere twitch of your right foot. And of course, with power sent to both axle, there’s plenty of traction too. A 0-62mph sprint time of 5.4 seconds would embarrass most sports cars.

The battery fitted is much larger than most PHEVs (34kWh) which provides an official WLTP range of 91 miles on electric only. With a home charger, the Tiggo 9 driver should find little need to ever fill up the petrol tank on everyday local motoring. The car is designed to always default to electric running where possible and on a mixed test route, the drive was refined and most relaxing. Push the car hard and the engine will fire up and it’s not the most tuneful.

Should conditions turn challenging, the All-Wheel Drive system boasts Sand, Snow and Off-Road settings, so you should be unlikely to get stuck. I would fit some All-Season tyres for ultimate traction, especially in the North of England.

The Tiggo 9 is softly sprung, with ride comfort clearly prioritised over handling pleasure. For the most part, the suspension seems to do a good job of isolating the occupants from the road surface beneath the car. Up the ante, and you will notice some float and body roll, but most will accept the set up is right for this type of car.

The steering is light, perhaps overly so and the brake pedal takes a little getting used to, as it’s very responsive. I arrived back at the launch location relaxed and was most comfortable when driving and in the passenger seat. An easy car to live with I would suggest.

So, if you are looking for a well-equipped family car but are not ready to embrace fully electric motoring, then I would suggest the Chery Tiggo 9 is most definitely worth a look. And as I jumped into my weekly test car, a Range Rover Sport, for the return journey to North Yorkshire, I couldn’t help but reflect on the thought that I could have three Tiggo 9s for the same price. And I’m sure the trip would have been just as comfortable.

Fast Facts
• Chery Tiggo 9
• Price £43,105
• 1.5-litre petrol engine
• 34kWh battery
• 428bhp
• All-wheel drive
• 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds
• Electric range up to 91 miles
• Emissions 14g/km CO2