Chery Tiggo 4 | Budget-friendly crossover goes big on value and practicality
Chery is entering the UK market with aggressive pricing, and that’s where the Tiggo 4 makes the most sense. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense SUV that covers the basics well, it’s a compelling option.
Chery has had a great run of late, with the larger Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 becoming firm favourites on the leasing scene. Now there’s a new model – the Tiggo 4.
This car completes the Tiggo line-up for now, and brings a new entry-point for those that want the same SUV styling of the larger models, but wrapped up in a smaller package.
Chery might not be a household name just yet, but it’s one of China’s biggest car manufacturers – and it’s making a serious push into Europe.
It’s a compact crossover that’s been designed with affordability in mind, but without stripping things back. On paper, it’s a strong alternative to cars like the Dacia Duster and MG ZS.
Here’s our first drive review.
Tiggo 4: Styling and design
The Tiggo 4 plays things fairly safe when it comes to design. Up front, there’s a large grille with a diamond-pattern finish, flanked by slim LED headlights that give it a more upmarket look than you might expect at this price point.
Size-wise, it sits comfortable in the the small SUV class. It’s 4.3 metres long and 1.65 metres high – that puts it bang on with the Dacia Duster.
There’s nothing especially ground-breaking here then, but it’s clean, modern and inoffensive. Side on, the proportions are what you’d expect from a compact crossover. You sit up high, and there’s some subtle creasing along the doors.
Round the back, it’s more of the same – a neat, tidy design rather than anything attention-grabbing. A full-width light bar adds a touch of modernity, while the lower bumper gets some faux skid plat details to reinforce that SUV look.
Size-wise, it sits comfortable in the the small SUV class. It’s 4.3 metres long and 1.65 metres high – that puts it bang on with the Dacia Duster.
Tiggo 4: Interior, space, tech
Size is pretty much where the similarities with a Dacia Duster end. Stepping inside the Tiggo 4, it does not feel like a car that costs from £20,000. It’s this area the brand hopes will make the Tiggo 4 stand out compared to rivals.
Perceived quality is high, and you immediately get the impression some thought has gone into the tech too. The dash layout is simple, with a pair of digital displays – one for the driver and one for infotainment. This immediately gives it a plusher feel than many rivals.
Chery hasn’t buried everything in the screen – there are some physical controls for core functions like the climate, which make a big difference when you’re on the move.
Material quality is a mixed bag, as you’d expect at this price. There’s some harder plastics lower down, but the areas you interact with feel solid and well put together.
The infotainment system beats some other Chinese rivals from a “user friendly” perspective. Chery hasn’t buried everything in the screen either – there are some physical controls for core functions like the climate, which make a big difference when you’re on the move.
Space is another of the Tiggo 4’s stronger points. There’s plenty of headroom and, in the front at least, it feels like a much larger car than it really is. In the back, rear passengers get plenty of legroom too – it’s the perfect size for a small family.
Boot space stands at 430 litres – not class leading, but not that much different to cars like the MG ZS.
Tiggo 4: Engines, performance and driving
Unlike many new models, the Tiggo 4 keeps things simple under the bonnet. Whichever model you go for it’ll come with Chery’s full self-charging hybrid drivetrain. We’ve already seen this in models like the Jaecoo 5.
It uses a combination of a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to provide the power, together producing 204hp. It’ll get from 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds – so it’s no rocket ship. But this car isn’t meant to be quick.
It’s a relatively comfortable car, with the suspension set-up dealing with most bumpy sections of road quite well. The only really downside about the driving experience was the steering – it felt rather vague compared to many cars in its class.
Again though, this is a car that focuses on practicality and comfort over driving dynamics – most customers will be able to forgive its shortcomings.
This is a car that focuses on practicality and comfort over driving dynamics – most customers will be able to forgive its shortcomings as a driver’s car.
Noise levels are generally well controlled at lower speeds, although you’ll notice a bit more road and wind noise on the motorway compared to more expensive alternatives.
In terms of safety, Chery has packed in a decent amount of kit. You get features like lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking and rear parking sensors as standard, which is reassuring at this end of the market.
Tiggo 4: Should you consider leasing one?
Chery is entering the UK market with aggressive pricing, and that’s where the Tiggo 4 makes the most sense. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense SUV that covers the basics well, it’s a compelling option.
It’s practical, easy to drive and comes with a decent amount of standard equipment. It’s not the most refined or exciting car in its class, and more established rivals still have the edge when it comes to overall polish. But they’ll usually cost more, too.
For those who prioritise value above all else, the Tiggo 4 does exactly what it needs to. And if leasing deals come in strong – which they likely will within the next few months – it could quickly become a very popular choice for budget-conscious drivers.
