First Drive: Chery’s Tiggo 4 is here to conquer the compact crossover segment
The Tiggo 4 is Chery’s latest offering as it looks to further its success in the UK. Is it a worthwhile option, though? Jack Evans finds out.
What is it?
Why? Well, the Tiggo 4 enters one of the most popular vehicle segments in the UK – compact crossovers. It’s where big-hitters such as the Ford Puma call home. To come out on top, the Tiggo 4 has to do something special. We’ve been trying it out.
What’s new?
It’s why the Tiggo 4 gets a pair of high-definition screens and loads of more upmarket features, while doing so with a starting price of £19,995.
What’s under the bonnet?
Being a ‘regular’ hybrid, the Tiggo 4’s powertrain can’t run on electric-only power at any meaningful speed or for any real distance, but instead works to assist the petrol engine and make it more efficient. Chery claims a combined fuel economy of 53.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 120g/km, which are bang-on for the segment.
What’s it like to drive?
Unfortunately, the steering is pretty unpleasant, with a heavy, indirect feeling that leaves you questioning in which direction the wheels are heading. In this area, the Puma is leagues ahead. That said, you do get a slightly raised seating position, which elevates you over the road ahead, and the car’s boxy shape means that your parking should be a breeze.
How does it look?
Colour-wise, there’s not much choice with a selection of greys and blacks making up the available palette. That said, a bright red colour provides a helpful dash of colour for those who want it.
What’s it like inside?
Boot-wise, you’re looking at 430 litres or 1,155 litres with the rear seats. It’s boxy and easy to access thanks to zero loading lip. That said, there’s an odd bulge at the rear of the boot section, and this is due to the intruding battery underneath, which seems like really strange packaging. Surely mounting the battery a few inches lower would’ve made a complete flat boot floor?
What’s the spec like?
Move up to Summit, priced from £21,995, and you get a 360-degree parking camera, an upgraded six-speaker sound system and privacy glass. However, you’ve got to argue that since the base model comes with so much equipment, there’s very little need to opt for the higher-spec car.
Verdict
As has happened with many Chinese-made cars, the Tiggo 4 doesn’t offer an all-that-convincing dynamic experience. The steering is well beneath what we’d expect from the segment, and the whole car doesn’t feel that dynamic.
But at such an attractive price, you have to start wondering where the line is drawn. It’s got all of the tech that drivers will want and comes with a seven-year warranty. For many, the value that the Tiggo 4 offers will trump its on-road shortcomings.