Image: Fanie van Niekerk
If you’ve been keeping an eye out for a good-looking, well-equipped compact SUV, then the new Chery Tiggo Cross 1.5T Elite, at R449 900, might just catch your attention.
Sitting above the popular Tiggo 4 Pro, the Tiggo Cross is Chery’s latest attempt to shake things up in a space packed with options like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Haval Jolion. But is it really the standout it looks like on paper?
Well, let’s start with the obvious – this thing looks great. It has a bold front end with a big, shiny grille, sharp-looking headlights, and some sporty design touches like red brake callipers and 18-inch alloy wheels. It’s the kind of car that turns heads in the parking lot, which is impressive considering it’s priced below R500 000.
Around the back, there’s a sleek lightbar that stretches across the tailgate – Chery says it was inspired by tiger stripes. Whether you see it or not, it adds a bit of flair.
Tech-focussed Interior
Inside, the Tiggo Cross Elite feels more expensive than it is. The seats are covered in black leather, the dashboard has soft-touch finishes, and everything looks clean and modern. You get all the bells and whistles too – dual-zone climate control, push-button start, heated seats, and even a fancy 360-degree camera to help you park. The touchscreen is a generous size at just over 10 inches and connects wirelessly to your phone via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
There’s even a wireless charging pad and a smart voice assistant that lets you control things like the aircon by just talking to the car.
When it comes to space, there’s enough room for five people to travel comfortably, and the boot should be big enough for your weekend bags or a grocery haul. Chery has done a good job here – it really feels like a lot of car for the money.
The Driving Experience
Now, let’s talk about how it drives. The Tiggo Cross is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, which offers a decent 108 kW and 210 Nm to get you around town or out on the highway. It’s not exactly fast, but it’s not sluggish either. The engine works with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), which is meant to give smooth gear changes. In practice, though, it’s a bit hit-and-miss.
We found that the gearbox can feel a little hesitant when pulling away from a stop, which might make traffic driving a bit frustrating until you get used to it.
Also, while Chery claims the Tiggo Cross is fuel-efficient, real-world figures tell a different story. We found it to be thirstier than the claimed 7.2 L/100 km figure, especially if you spend a lot of time in stop-start traffic. That’s something to keep in mind if you’re hoping to save at the pumps.
Safety Systems
On the safety side, Chery has loaded the Tiggo Cross with features that are often missing from more expensive cars. Things like blind-spot detection, emergency braking, and lane-keeping alerts come standard on the Elite model. It even has a radar-guided cruise control system that adjusts your speed to the car in front of you. These systems work surprisingly well for the price, and they help take the stress out of long drives.
So, is the Chery Tiggo Cross Elite worth it? If you’re after a car that looks premium, comes fully loaded with tech and features, and offers a fresh alternative to the usual suspects, then absolutely – it’s a lot of car for the money. Just be aware of its quirks: the driving experience isn’t perfect, and the fuel bills might be higher than you’d expect. But for many South African buyers, those small compromises might be worth it for the value and style the Tiggo Cross brings to the table.
