How Chery’s Tiggo 4 sets an unreachable standard
This cut-priced contender has what it takes to worry the automotive establishment.
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The Chery Tiggo 4 is one of the cheapest SUVs you can buy.
It undercuts the equivalent Toyota Yaris Cross by more than $10,000.
In defence of wanting to buy a Chery
Let’s be frank. If you’re considering buying a Chery, it’s probably because you want a brand-new car, but don’t have a lot of cash to spend.
Hey, there’s no judgement here.
Some people want a recognisable brand with a bit of history, and will happily buy second-hand to get it. Others just want to tootle around the city, surrounded by the latest technology and that new-car smell. Different buyers have different priorities.
But if you fall into the latter camp, just don’t tell any car-fanatics you’re thinking about a Chery.
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Many motoring purists think Chinese cars are highly suspect and modern automotive technology is too intrusive. If you have $24,000 to spend, they’ll probably point you to something like a 2018 Toyota Corolla instead – a solid and reliable car that’s about as fun and sexy as an elbow.
So ignore those people for a moment. Take my hand and look me in the eyes.
I’m going to tell you something you might need to hear.
Ready? Ready.
It’s okay to buy a Chery
No, really.
As someone who recently had the Tiggo 4 Pro Urban, I can honestly say it was a totally acceptable, quite pleasant car for highway and city driving.
That might sound like a tepid endorsement. But in the context of the price – the ridiculously, bottom-shelf cheap price – that’s a rave review.
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As well as being reasonably zippy and spacious, the Tiggo 4 had the kind of technology you’d expect from a much more expensive brand. The big centre console screens were sharp, the menu design was customisable, the voice control worked, and the wireless smartphone integration was seamless.
The Tiggo 4 also comes with adaptive cruise control, lane assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, and several other driver safety systems.
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In lower-end models you might get a grab-bag of some of these features, but to get the whole lot?
That usually puts you in midrange Mazda or Hyundai territory.
But you can’t afford a midrange Mazda or Hyundai. That’s why you’re looking at a Chery.
Was the Tiggo 4 perfect?
No. The steering was too light, and I found myself fighting with the overly-aggressive lane assist more than once on the highway. The car felt a bit light and a bit tinny compared to a typical SUV.
But I found it to be a much better drive than the comparably-priced (and far smaller) Suzuki Ignis — a car which will be removed from the Australian market later this year.
Ostensibly this is because the Australian model lacks the Automatic Emergency Braking which is now a minimum safety standard. But even if it did comply with local standards? It’s hard to see how the Japanese brand could compete.
When it comes to cheap cars, China is setting an unreachable standard.
As for reliability? In truth, it’s a bit early to say, particularly in regards to the Chery. The carmaker has only been back in Australia for a couple of years, and their 2011–2015 history is … well … a little checkered.
If that’s unacceptable? Fine.
But the compromise you’ll make to get a more established brand is tech, size, and drive.
Chery has also re-entered Australia with what looks like a more serious commitment to the market. But if you’re still feeling uncertain, their seven-year warranty should give you some peace of mind.
And after that?
It’s reasonable to ask how long a $24,000 car really needs to last. This isn’t the kind of vehicle which will sit proudly in your garage and be a talking piece for your grandkids.
But it is a fair compromise for someone who drives semi-regularly and wants the most recent in-car technology.
Frankly, the Tiggo is a tremendously good showing for $24,000. If you’re the kind of person who hears ‘cars are just iPads on wheels these days’ and thinks ‘great’ this very well could be the vehicle for you.
Don’t let the naysayers tell you otherwise.
CHERY TIGGO 4 PRO
PRICE From $23,990 drive-away
WARRANTY/SERVICE 7yrs/unlimited kms, 7 yrs capped servicing TBC
SAFETY 7 airbags, auto emergency braking front and rear, lane
departure warning and prevention, radar cruise control, traffic jam
assist, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, child presence
detection, rear sensors, rear camera
POWER 1.5L four-cyl turbo petrol, 108kW/210Nm
ECONOMY 7.3L/100km
SPARE Full size
CARGO 380L/838L
Originally published as How Chery’s Tiggo 4 sets an unreachable standard
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