The Chery Tiggo Cross arrived in South Africa in November 2024 and was almost immediately thrust into CAR’s fleet for the festive season. Following an extended period behind the wheel, Charlen Raymond recounts the experience.
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Chery Tiggo Cross Elite 1.5T Elite
- Price: R449 900
- Engine: 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol
- Power: 108 kW @ 5 500 r/min
- Torque: 210 N.m @ 1 750 – 4 000 r/min
- Transmission: 6-speed Auto, Front
- Fuel consumption: 7.2 L/100 km (8.5 L/100 km achieved)
- Service plan: 5-years / 60 000 km
- Warranty distance: 150 000 km vehicle / 1 000 0000 km engine for first owner
- Warranty years: 5 vehicle / 10 engine for the first owner
It’s common knowledge that Chery has been making massive waves in South Africa since its re-entry into the market in 2021. It was a bold move, especially because the brand did not make much of an impact on the local market with, shall we say, sub par vehicles, which led to its exit in 2018.
But the 2021 return marked a new era for the Chinese brand and, over the next three years, it grew into a formidable challenger in the local market. Just how formidable? Well, the brand sold more than 1 800 new vehicles in December 2024, placing it in sixth place for best-selling brands in South Africa. Impressive much? We sure like to think so.
Related: Review: Chery Tiggo Cross 1.5 Elite
Over the 2024/25 festive season, Chery South Africa gave us a Tiggo Cross. Our purpose wasn’t to do a full-blown test on the vehicle but rather to gauge how it fares in everyday conditions, the highs and lows, and ultimately see if Chery’s exponential growth over the last three years is indeed warranted.
Tiggo Cross in Chery’s line-up
The Tiggo Cross is based on the Tiggo 4 Pro, and the two crossovers share the same DNA. However, subtle differences between the two separate the Cross from its stablemate. For starters, the Tiggo Cross is positioned above the Tiggo 4 Pro and sets itself apart with a bolder and more dynamic design. The front grille features an intricate diamond pattern – a real hit, by the way – complemented by vertical daytime running lights and triple-element LED headlamps.
At the rear, the crossover showcases a jewel-like lightbar and ‘tiger-inspired’ design elements, according to Chery. Our test unit was the top-of-the-line Elite model with 18-inch alloy wheels and red brake callipers.
While both the Tiggo 4 Pro and Tiggo Cross boast well-equipped cabins, the latter includes upgrades like a high-definition 360-degree camera, ambient lighting, and wireless smartphone integration. These are specific to the Elite trim. The Tiggo Cross Elite’s front seats are power-adjustable with heating and lumbar support, while the pews – both front and rear – are decked in leather.
December run-about
When the Tiggo Cross arrived at the office, it had barely been driven. With just a few hundred kilometres on the odometer, we knew not to push the engine too hard. After more than 1 500 km, we played it easy and drove the silver crossover with poise and a sense of maturity. The vast majority of our time was spent in Eco mode, but an occasion or two lent itself to activating Sport mode, but this was for very brief moments.
Yet, the fuel economy was a nod in the right direction. Chery claims 7.2 L/100 km, but the onboard computer gave an average of 8.5 L/100 km. Considering that the car is brand new and basically came off the ship straight to the office – take this with a pinch of salt, particularly considering other rivals in the segment have real-world consumption that is up to 20% more efficient than this early figure.
At 120 km/h on the highways, the Tiggo Cross felt comfortable, but the overall feel didn’t inspire as much as you’d get in a European or Japanese rival. Still, the Tiggo Cross handled and behaved with aplomb, and caught the eye of many an onlooker, who could very well be considering this as a value for money offering in their next purchase.
Any downsides?
While I didn’t have too many gripes with the Chery Tiggo Cross, there was an issue or two I had with its cargo space. The fifth door (the boot), for example, requires effort to slam it to properly close. Upon taking delivery of the crossover, the first few days and weeks required a mental shift that sometimes tough love is okay. It would happen that I’d finish loading the boot, close it, set off on my journey and immediately have the alarm bells go off that a door is ajar. The flashing red light would show where the issue lies, and a stern closing would solve the matter.
The other bit is that the boot is exposed; meaning, there is not a boot cover. When you’ve loaded the car with, for example, groceries or luggage, restless eyes can glean over and see what you have in your vehicle. Yes, the rear window is slightly tinted – which helps to a degree to hide what you have stowed – but a partition will add peace of mind.
In Summary
After a little more than a month of driving the new Chery Tiggo Cross, it is not difficult to understand why so many South Africans flock to the brand. Its vehicles boast features you’d normally find and associate with more expensive vehicles, yet they are available in vehicles with a much lower asking price. And the Tiggo Cross Elite is setting the bar high for its rivals because it is making massive splashes in the crucial sub-R500 000 arena.
Is it perfect? No. Does it make a statement? Yes.
In essence, with its competitive pricing and comprehensive warranty package, the Tiggo Cross proves that it’s no compromise.
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