The Chery Tiggo Cross arrived in South Africa in November 2024 and was virtually instantly thrust into CAR’s fleet for the festive season. Following an prolonged interval behind the wheel, Charlen Raymond recounts the expertise.

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Chery Tiggo Cross Elite 1.5T Elite
- Value: R449 900
- Engine: 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol
- Energy: 108 kW @ 5 500 r/min
- Torque: 210 N.m @ 1 750 – 4 000 r/min
- Transmission: 6-speed Auto, Entrance
- Gasoline consumption: 7.2 L/100 km (8.5 L/100 km achieved)
- Service plan: 5-years / 60 000 km
- Guarantee distance: 150 000 km automobile / 1 000 0000 km engine for first proprietor
- Guarantee years: 5 automobile / 10 engine for the primary proprietor

It’s widespread data that Chery has been making huge waves in South Africa since its re-entry into the market in 2021. It was a daring transfer, particularly as a result of the model didn’t make a lot of an influence on the native market with, shall we embrace, sub par automobiles, which led to its exit in 2018.
However the 2021 return marked a brand new period for the Chinese language model and, over the following three years, it grew right into a formidable challenger within the native market. Simply how formidable? Properly, the model offered greater than 1 800 new automobiles in December 2024, putting it in sixth place for best-selling manufacturers in South Africa. Spectacular a lot? We certain prefer to assume so.
Associated: Review: Chery Tiggo Cross 1.5 Elite
Over the 2024/25 festive season, Chery South Africa gave us a Tiggo Cross. Our goal wasn’t to do a full-blown check on the automobile however relatively to gauge the way it fares in on a regular basis circumstances, the highs and lows, and in the end see if Chery’s exponential progress over the past three years is certainly warranted.

Tiggo Cross in Chery’s line-up
The Tiggo Cross is predicated on the Tiggo 4 Professional, and the 2 crossovers share the identical DNA. Nonetheless, refined variations between the 2 separate the Cross from its stablemate. For starters, the Tiggo Cross is positioned above the Tiggo 4 Professional and units itself aside with a bolder and extra dynamic design. The entrance grille options an intricate diamond sample – an actual hit, by the way in which – complemented by vertical daytime operating lights and triple-element LED headlamps.
On the rear, the crossover showcases a jewel-like lightbar and ‘tiger-inspired’ design components, in response to Chery. Our check unit was the top-of-the-line Elite mannequin with 18-inch alloy wheels and pink brake callipers.
Whereas each the Tiggo 4 Professional and Tiggo Cross boast well-equipped cabins, the latter consists of upgrades like a high-definition 360-degree digital camera, ambient lighting, and wi-fi smartphone integration. These are particular to the Elite trim. The Tiggo Cross Elite’s entrance seats are power-adjustable with heating and lumbar assist, whereas the pews – each entrance and rear – are decked in leather-based.

December run-about
When the Tiggo Cross arrived on the workplace, it had barely been pushed. With just some hundred kilometres on the odometer, we knew to not push the engine too exhausting. After greater than 1 500 km, we performed it straightforward and drove the silver crossover with poise and a way of maturity. The overwhelming majority of our time was spent in Eco mode, however an event or two lent itself to activating Sport mode, however this was for very transient moments.
But, the gasoline economic system was a nod in the proper route. Chery claims 7.2 L/100 km, however the onboard laptop gave a mean of 8.5 L/100 km. Contemplating that the automotive is model new and mainly got here off the ship straight to the workplace – take this with a pinch of salt, significantly contemplating different rivals within the phase have real-world consumption that’s as much as 20% extra environment friendly than this early determine.
At 120 km/h on the highways, the Tiggo Cross felt comfy, however the general really feel didn’t encourage as a lot as you’d get in a European or Japanese rival. Nonetheless, the Tiggo Cross dealt with and behaved with aplomb, and caught the attention of many an onlooker, who may very nicely be contemplating this as a worth for cash providing of their subsequent buy.

Any downsides?
Whereas I didn’t have too many gripes with the Chery Tiggo Cross, there was a problem or two I had with its cargo area. The fifth door (the boot), for instance, requires effort to slam it to correctly shut. Upon taking supply of the crossover, the primary few days and weeks required a psychological shift that generally robust love is okay. It could occur that I’d end loading the boot, shut it, set off on my journey and instantly have the alarm bells go off {that a} door is ajar. The flashing pink gentle would present the place the problem lies, and a stern closing would resolve the matter.
The opposite bit is that the boot is uncovered; which means, there’s not a boot cowl. If you’ve loaded the automotive with, for instance, groceries or baggage, stressed eyes can glean over and see what you’ve got in your automobile. Sure, the rear window is barely tinted – which helps to a level to cover what you’ve got stowed – however a partition will add peace of thoughts.

In Abstract
After a bit of greater than a month of driving the brand new Chery Tiggo Cross, it isn’t obscure why so many South Africans flock to the model. Its automobiles boast options you’d usually discover and affiliate with dearer automobiles, but they’re out there in automobiles with a a lot decrease asking worth. And the Tiggo Cross Elite is setting the bar excessive for its rivals as a result of it’s making huge splashes within the essential sub-R500 000 enviornment.
Is it good? No. Does it make a press release? Sure.
In essence, with its aggressive pricing and complete guarantee package deal, the Tiggo Cross proves that it’s no compromise.
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