Chery’s Arrizo 8 plug-in hybrid sedan now costs AED 79,900 in the UAE. That puts a 154 hp petrol-electric family car alongside petrol sedans that many buyers already shortlist. However, some figures that are important to plug-in owners still haven’t been published.
What does the Arrizo 8 bring to the table?
The Arrizo 8 is a five-seat, family-size sedan built around three ideas: plug-in hybrid power, a screen-heavy cabin and a long list of driver aids. It comes with 18 advanced driver-assistance functions and a 24.6-inch display.
Price is the headline, though. At AED 79,900, it sits within touching distance of familiar names like the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra. As a result, it gives buyers a plug-in option without a big jump in budget.
How does the plug-in hybrid system work?
Under the bonnet, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine teams up with an electric motor. Both feed a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission, which Chery calls DHT, and drive goes to two wheels. Together, they produce a combined 154 hp, while the motor alone delivers 310 Nm of torque.
In practice, that setup lets drivers run in EV mode around town and lean on the engine for longer trips. In addition, five drive modes are on offer: Normal, ECO, Sport, HEV and EV. So owners can switch between everyday, economy and sportier settings depending on the trip.
What’s still missing from the spec sheet?
Chery hasn’t shared the electric-only range or the battery size in the details available so far. Likewise, there’s no official charging speed or charging time. For a plug-in hybrid, those numbers decide how much you’ll actually gain from plugging in.
Several other details are also unconfirmed. These include boot capacity, rear legroom, the airbag count and phone mirroring support. Therefore, anyone considering the car should ask the dealer directly before signing anything.
How big is it, and what’s inside?
For the money, this is a large sedan. It measures 4,757 mm long, 1,832 mm wide and 1,471 mm tall, with a 2,770 mm wheelbase. Outside, dual-lens LED headlights, dynamic turn signals and VIP welcome lights give it presence after dark. Meanwhile, it rides on 18-inch machined alloys wearing 235/45 R18 tyres.
Buyers can pick from six colours: Aviation Silver, Tiffany Blue, Khaki White, Bloodstone Red, Aurora Green and Carbon Crystal Black. For hot summers, a lighter shade such as Khaki White or Aviation Silver is the more practical choice.
Inside, Chery describes the layout as a wave-like surrounding cockpit. You get leather power seats with six-way electric adjustment, plus a yacht-style gear lever. There’s also an armrest that opens in two directions. Ambient lighting sets the mood at night, and automatic air conditioning handles the heat.
Which technology stands out?
The 24.6-inch duplex surrounding display is the star feature. It merges the driver display and the infotainment screen into one sweeping panel. For tight parking spots, a 540-degree panoramic camera shows the car’s surroundings.
Notably, the Arrizo 8 is Chery’s first model with 50W wireless fast charging for phones. That should keep devices topped up on short drives without a cable. Beyond this, the 18 driver-assistance functions round out the tech list, although Chery hasn’t detailed each one in the material available.
How does it compare with its rivals?
On paper, the Arrizo 8 has more power than most cars at this price. For example, the Toyota Corolla costs between AED 76,900 and AED 83,900 and makes 121 hp. Similarly, the Kia K4 costs AED 80,850 and also produces 121 hp.
The Hyundai Elantra starts at AED 81,900 and climbs to AED 112,035, with 128 PS. By contrast, the MG 8 PHEV outguns the Chery with 201 hp and 330 Nm. Yet it also costs considerably more, at AED 99,900 to AED 109,900.
In short, the Chery offers the strongest output among the cars around AED 80,000. Only the pricier MG beats it, and that comes with a gap of roughly AED 20,000.
Should buyers put it on their shortlist?
If you want hybrid technology, a big screen and plenty of driver aids for under AED 80,000, the Arrizo 8 makes a strong case. Still, buyers who want the simplest ownership story may prefer a familiar petrol rival.
Before deciding, it’s worth taking a test drive in EV mode and sitting in the back seats. Above all, ask the dealer for the electric range, battery size and airbag count. Until Chery confirms those figures, the Arrizo 8’s real-world appeal as a plug-in remains an open question.
