Right here’s a better have a look at the Chery Tiggo Cross, which is an attention-grabbing proposition for these purchasing within the sub-RM100k finish of the SUV market. Two of three Proton X50 facelift variants are within the combine, as are the Perodua Ativa and Honda WR-V. B-segment sedans from Japanese manufacturers and Proton are alternate options.
All are compact vehicles however huge hitters by way of gross sales numbers, besides, this Chery has parts that set it aside. Launched in July, the Tiggo Cross is CKD domestically assembled in two variants – Turbo and Hybrid. The Turbo goes for RM88,800 whereas the RM99,800 Hybrid is essentially the most inexpensive hybrid mannequin within the Malaysian market. Earlier than this, the HEV RS was the most affordable hybrid at RM111,900. The bottom Nissan Kicks e-Energy VL goes for RM113,800.
The CSH hybrid system right here combines a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-pot engine (96 PS/120 Nm) with a Direct Hybrid Transmission (DHT) with two built-in electrical motors, rated collectively at 204 PS/310 Nm. There’s a 1.8-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery beneath the boot flooring to juice the motors.
The CSH is a series-parallel hybrid system with 5 states, together with EV (working on electrical energy solely), Tandem (engine acts as a generator whereas the electrical motor drives the wheels), Parallel (each the engine and electrical motor working collectively), Direct Engine (engine instantly drives the wheels at speeds above 80 km/h) and Power Restoration (regenerative braking and coasting to cost the battery).
The hybrid battery reduces boot area by 30 litres to 350 litres, though each variants share the identical 51-litre gasoline tank. Claimed gasoline consumption (undisclosed commonplace) is 5.4 litres per 100 km for the Hybrid, which at 1,565 kg is 97 kg heavier than its pure-ICE sister. Chery claims that the Tiggo Cross Hybrid can attain 1,000 km per tank because of electrification.
The Turbo’s coronary heart is a 1.5-litre turbo-four making 147 PS and 210 Nm of torque. Drive goes to the entrance wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission for a 0-100 km/h time of 10.3 seconds in Sport mode (Hybrid does it in 8.9s). By the way in which, whereas we get a Turbo-DCT combo, the Tiggo Cross is offered as a 1.5L NA-CVT in Indonesia, whereas it’s Turbo-CVT in Australia. On paper, we’re getting the perfect powertrain package deal.
The Tiggo Cross is seen by many as an Ativa/WR-V type of automobile, however its dimensions isn’t far off from the Proton X50, which is taken into account as true B-segment SUV. At 4,318 mm lengthy and 1,830 mm vast, the Cross is 62 mm shorter than the X50 however 35 mm wider. The Chery’s 2,610 mm wheelbase is 10 mm longer too, and even the lowered boot area of the Hybrid is bigger than the X50. So this is a B-segment SUV, simply positioned beneath the Chery O5 a.okay.a. Omoda 5 facelift.
The Tiggo Cross seems inoffensive and respectable right this moment, but it surely wasn’t at all times like that. The mannequin’s roots hint again to the Tiggo 5x that first surfaced in China in 2017. Renamed to Tiggo 4 for export markets, it bought a facelift and a ‘Professional’ moniker in 2019 – this was the automobile that Chery Malaysia previewed in its first ever occasion in 2022.
This newest facelift was revealed in 2024, and it wears a up to date entrance fascia with sharper options, together with full width rear LED lights, trying like a junior Jaecoo J7 within the course of. There’s no extra metallic rear pillars on this facelift, which has facet and rear glass panels visually related.
Like the outside, the dashboard ticks all of the up to date packing containers. This newest facelift features a full-width vent strip and conjoined screens. Chery additionally redesigned the AC controls, which contact panel flows seamlessly into the piano black new centre console. The gear lever is now a stubby factor, flanked by bodily AC switches for each driver and passenger (fan pace and temp, dual-zone). Talking of switches, the row of piano key buttons stay.
It’s a very good mix of recent fashion with bodily controls, one thing Proton moved away from with the X50 facelift. Right here, you nearly by no means must ‘enter’ the central touchscreen as soon as every thing is about.
Commonplace gear for each variants consists of LED headlamps, vertical LED daytime working lights, LED taillights, pink brake calipers, roof rails, rear spoiler, fake leather-based upholstery, ambient lighting, dual-zone local weather management with rear vent (there’s just one), 15W wi-fi charging pad, keyless entry/push begin and a powered driver’s seat. These two screens are every 10.25-inch vast, and the Chery has wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a ‘540-degree’ digicam and 6 audio system.
The Turbo rides on 18-inch wheels (Giti tyres), and has six airbags plus an ADAS suite that features lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross visitors alert, auto excessive beam, lane departure prevention, adaptive cruise management, ahead collision warning and autonomous emergency braking.
The Hybrid, which comes with 17-inch wheels (Sailun tyres), will get a further airbag to make it seven in complete, and its ADAS suite provides on door opening warning, rear collision warning, rear cross visitors braking, lane change help, emergency lane conserving, multi-collision brake and visitors jam help.
Visually, the Hybrid’s nicer steering wheel has the ‘CHERY’ script emblem and its buttons have a gloss black end. No bodily digital parking brake and auto maintain buttons right here, so there’s an odd little cubby behind the gear lever. This is usually a slot for the important thing fob, which can be totally different – a slim unit for the Turbo and a cumbersome, shiny cleaning soap bar for the Hybrid. The Turbo additionally will get a cluster of controls beneath the driving force’s AC vent, whereas it’s clear on the Hybrid. Lastly, the electrified automobile has a Hybrid badge on its tailgate.
There’s even a distinction in color choices. Blood Stone Purple is unique to the Turbo and Moonlight Silver is a Hybrid-only choice – the 2 examples you see listed here are of their respective particular colors. The shared choices are Carbon Black, Phantom Gray and Khaki White.
The Tiggo Cross comes with a seven-year, 150,000-km manufacturing facility guarantee, with the Hybrid gaining a further eight-year, 160,000-km guarantee for its battery, motors and hybrid management unit. Chery Malaysia is providing seven years of free towing service. An early chook package deal throw in two years of free service for the primary 2,000 clients till September 30.
So, what do you consider the Chery Tiggo Cross as a standalone entry, and vis-à-vis the Proton X50 facelift? The Honda WR-V is off the tempo in the case of modernity, gear and worth, whereas the Perodua Ativa isn’t actually in the identical bracket, in each measurement and worth phrases. One factor distinctive in regards to the Tiggo Cross is its hybrid choice, which could be a boon when you don’t qualify for subsidised RON 95 and petrol turns into a extra valuable commodity… subsequent month?
GALLERY: Chery Tiggo Cross
GALLERY: Chery Tiggo Cross Hybrid
GALLERY: Chery Tiggo Cross Turbo
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