A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Hyundai Elantra vs Chery Tiggo 9: the short answer
Tiggo 9 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Elantra remains close.
Recorded price context
Elantra:
last listed from
ZAR 448,900
·
Tiggo 9:
current from
ZAR 689,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Maximum Power
Elantra85 kW @ 6300 rpm
Tiggo 9187 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
Elantra143 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Tiggo 9390 Nm
Engine Size
Elantra1497 cc
Tiggo 92000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Elantra17.5 km/l
Tiggo 912.0 km/l
Ground Clearance
Elantra130 mm
Tiggo 9147 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Hyundai Elantra
1.5 IVT Fluid
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Elantra
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader
Tiggo 9
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Elantra
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Tiggo 9
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Model Introduced Year
1990
2026
Generation
Seventh generation Elantra on Hyundai's K3 platform; bold parametric design language marks a clear break from the conservative sixth gen
Current South Africa Tiggo 9 range
Facelift History
Seventh generation launched globally in 2020 and brought to SA; significant leap in styling and interior quality over the previous generation
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Facelift Launched Since
2020
2026
Body Style
Sedan
SUV
Production Status
discontinued
active
Segment
Sedan
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1355 kg
1980 kg
Vehicle Type
Sedan
SUV
Facelift Version Ending
Not confirmed
Current
Model Year
Not confirmed
2026
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Length
4680 mm
4810 mm
Width
1825 mm
1925 mm
Height
1415 mm
1741 mm
Wheelbase
2720 mm
2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
130 mm
147 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
147 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
47 l
65 l
Boot/Cargo Space
473 l
448 l
Kerb Weight
1355 kg
1980 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1860 kg
2587 kg
Payload Capacity
505 kg
607 kg
Towing Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
1425 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
7 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
3 rows
Doors
4 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
5.9 m
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
1025 mm
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
990 mm
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
1060 mm
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
960 mm
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Dual Zone Auto Climate
Automatic
Power Windows
All
Standard
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard
Sunroof
Electric Sunroof
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
No
Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror
No
-
Rear Window Defroster
Yes
-
Follow Me Home Headlamps
Yes
-
12V Accessory Socket
12V
-
AC Type
Dual Zone Auto Climate
Automatic
Boot Opener
Inside
-
Door Ajar Warning
Yes
-
Electric Folding Mirrors
Yes
-
Engine Check Warning
Yes
-
Engine Start Stop
Yes
Standard
Engine Start Stop Button
Yes
Standard
Front Armrest
Yes
-
Front Power Outlet
Yes
-
Fuel Lid Opener
Inside
-
Headlamp Height Adjust
Manual
-
Headlamp Washer
No
-
Power Mirrors
Yes
-
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Rear Reading Lamps
Yes
-
Service Reminder
Yes
-
Spare Wheel
Steel
Not Available
Tachometer
Yes
-
Telescopic Steering
No
-
Tilt Steering
Yes
-
Trip Computer
Yes
-
Vanity Mirror
Yes
-
Air Conditioning
Dual Zone Auto Climate
Automatic
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Rim Size
17-inch Alloy
20-inch alloy
Sound System
8 Bose Premium
8
Unlocking
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charger
Yes
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not confirmed
2065 l
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
2-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1497 cc
2000 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Multi-Point Injection
Petrol injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
85 kW @ 6300 rpm
187 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
143 Nm @ 4500 rpm
390 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
AWD
Transmission
Not Officially Disclosed
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
180 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
11.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal
Eco, Normal, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
62.7 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
105.5 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Engine Position
Front
-
Gearbox
IVT Intelligent Variable Transmission
7 DCT
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
AWD
LSD Available
No
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
No
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
Not Officially Disclosed
7
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric
Drivetrain
FWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Available
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
7 DCT
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
FWD
AWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
Not Officially Disclosed
7
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Claimed Mileage
17.5 km/l
12.0 km/l
City Mileage
14.0 km/l
9.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
21.0 km/l
14.1 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
47 l
65 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro VIb
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Distance To Empty
Yes
-
Low Fuel Warning
Yes
-
Real-world Mileage
17.5 km/l
12.0 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
47
65
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Airbags
6
Multiple airbags
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Central Locking
Yes
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Standard
Speed Alert System
Yes
-
Front Parking Sensors
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Safety Rating
Not Rated (SA)
-
AEB
No
Standard
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Side Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
No
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Auto Lights
Yes
-
Auto Wipers
No
Standard
Eco Mode
Yes
-
EV Mode
No
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Sport Mode
No
-
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Around View Monitor
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Seat Material
Leather-Look
Leatherette / leather
Seat Adjustment
Power Driver
-
Heated Seats
Front
Standard
Ventilated Seats
No
Standard
Steering Type
Electric
-
Steering Adjustment
Tilt & Telescopic
-
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Standard
Folding Rear Seats
60/40 Split
-
Front Armrest
Yes
-
Rear Armrest
No
-
Cup Holders
4
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
Instrument Cluster Type
Analogue + MID
-
Door Map Pockets
Yes
-
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Adjustable Driver Seat
Manual
-
Adjustable Front Seat
Manual
-
Cooled Seats
No
-
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Officially Disclosed
Power
Fabric Seats
Yes
-
Front Headrest
Yes
-
Leather Seats
No
-
Memory Seats
No
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Officially Disclosed
Power
Rear Headrest
Yes
-
Seat Trim
Not Officially Disclosed
Leatherette / leather
Front Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Infotainment System
10.25-inch Touchscreen
Touchscreen infotainment
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Android Auto
Yes
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
8 Bose Premium
8
Navigation System
Yes
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
10.25-inch Digital Cluster
Standard
USB Ports
2 USB-A + 1 USB-C
Front and rear USB where listed
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Wireless Android Auto
Yes
Standard
FM Radio
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Yes
-
Voice Recognition
Yes
-
AUX Input
Yes
-
Audio Controls On Steering
Yes
-
Infotainment Display
Touchscreen
-
Rear Usb
Yes
-
Audio Speakers
8 Bose Premium
8
Infotainment Screen
Not Officially Disclosed
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Touchscreen
Not Officially Disclosed
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
LED Headlamps
Full LED
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
LED
Standard
Roof Rails
No
Standard
Alloy Wheel Design
17-inch Alloy
-
Rear Spoiler
Yes
-
Exterior Colour Options
Not Officially Disclosed
White, black, grey, silver, blue, green and other official Chery market colours by model.
Wing Mirror Type
Power Adjustable
-
Rear Wiper
No
-
Door Handle Finish
Body Coloured
-
Body Type
Sedan
-
DRL
LED
Standard
Fog Lights
Yes
-
Front Fog Lights
Yes
-
Led Headlights
Full LED
Standard
Daytime Running Lights
LED
Standard
Exterior Mirror Electric
Yes
-
Front Fog Lamps
LED
Standard
Headlamps
Full LED
Standard
Headlight Type
Full LED
Standard
Headlights
Full LED
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Approach Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Departure Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Standard
Locking Differential
No
Not Applicable
Ramp Breakover Angle
20 deg
-
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
AWD / 4WD as listed
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Standard
Breakover Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
130 mm
147 mm
Ground Clearance Min
130 mm
147 mm
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Tyre Size
225/45 R17
20-inch alloy
Wheel Type
17-inch Alloy
-
Front Brake Type
Disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Steel
Not Available
Parking Brake Type
Manual
-
Tyre Load Index
91
-
Tyre Speed Rating
H
-
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch Alloy
20-inch alloy
Brake Type Front
Disc (Ventilated)
-
Brake Type Rear
Disc
-
Spare Tyre
Steel
Not Available
Tyre Type
Tubeless Radial
-
Wheel Diameter
17-inch Alloy
20-inch alloy
Handbrake Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Electronic parking brake
Wheels
17-inch Alloy
-
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Multi-Link
Multi-link
Chassis Type
Monocoque
-
Power Steering
Electric
-
Steering Column
Tilt
-
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension Type
Multi-Link
Multi-link
Front Track Width
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Track Width
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Service Interval
15000 km / 12 months
-
Maintenance Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
-
First Service At
15000
-
Service Plan Duration
4
5 Year / 75 000 km
Service Plan Distance
4
5 Year / 75 000 km
Alternator
120A
-
Service Plan
4
5 Year / 75 000 km
Service Intervals
15000 km / 12 months
-
Accessory Battery Type
Lead-acid
-
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Warranty Years
5
7 Year / 200 000 km
Warranty Kilometers
5
7 Year / 200 000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 Years
-
Basic Warranty
5
7 Year / 200 000 km
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Warranty
5
7 Year / 200 000 km
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
CO2 Emissions
126 g/km
197 g/km
Start Stop System
No
-
Variable Valve Timing
Yes
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Unleaded 95
Petrol
Fuel Evaporation Control
Yes
-
Spec
Elantra
Tiggo 9
Ownership Role
Private and family
flagship or capability-focused
Price Zar
492900 ZAR
779900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Historical listed price
flagship or capability-focused
Starting Price
492900
779900
Starting Price Zar
492900
779900
In depth: how these cars differ
This Elantra and Tiggo 9 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Elantra 36 vs Tiggo 9 80.
Efficiency index: Elantra 67 vs Tiggo 9 47.
Safety-equipment index: Elantra 84 vs Tiggo 9 94.
Practicality index: Elantra 61 vs Tiggo 9 67.
Ownership-cover index: Elantra 65 vs Tiggo 9 not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Elantra and Tiggo 9 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Tiggo 9 leads by 12 points
Tiggo 9 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Elantra remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Tiggo 9
Performance
80/100
Efficiency
47/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
67/100
Elantra
Performance
36/100
Efficiency
67/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
61/100
Ownership
65/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexChery Tiggo 9
leads the specification evidence index with 74 pts
vs 62 pts for Elantra
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Tiggo 9 leads. However, Elantra may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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