We came away from our brief drive of the updated Chery Tiggo 4 liking the upgraded small SUV, but still wanting the cheapest version.
The new turbocharged 1.5-litre hybrid-powered version we sampled in China has plenty of punch, and the revised front-end design makes it look better too. It makes a positive first impression and, as with all Tiggo 4s, there's a good amount of room inside, and the cabin presents well.
Australian buyers already have the option of a Tiggo 4 Hybrid, but it uses a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The turbo hybrid we drove will be a later addition to the updated small SUV range, with local pricing and specs still to be announced.
How much will the Chery Tiggo 4 cost?
Australian pricing for the turbo hybrid Tiggo 4 has not been announced but, for context, the current Tiggo 4 range is priced as follows, before optional paint and promotional offers.
Note these are prices for the existing range, not the turbo hybrid variant tested here. The current hybrid commands a $6000 price premium over the equivalent petrol-only vehicle, and each is available with the same two equipment grades. Also note that the petrol-only Tiggo 4 already has a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine; it is the existing hybrid that does without the turbo.
October offers narrow the gap slightly. Eligible buyers can get $2000 off the current Tiggo 4 Hybrid, while the $1500 fuel-card offer for the non-electrified version can be taken as a price reduction. Applying each discount to its respective model leaves a $5500 difference, subject to eligibility and both purchase and delivery by October 31.
However, the fine print states the offers apply to eligible new and demonstrator vehicles at participating dealers while stocks last. Fleet, government, rental, business and not-for-profit purchases are excluded, and the hybrid cash discount cannot be combined with Chery’s October finance offer.
Chery claims combined fuel consumption of 7.4L/100km for current Tiggo 4 petrol vehicles, and 5.4L/100km for existing hybrids. Neither of those figures apply to the turbo hybrid we drove, and our brief outing didn't establish its real-world efficiency.
Lower fuel bills are always welcome, but the purchase-price difference still needs to make sense based on the way you use the car, which will impact how long it takes you to recoup the extra outlay. For buyers trying to keep their initial outlay down, several thousand dollars saved on the cheaper model is a substantial reason to stay with petrol-only power.
To see how the existing Chery Tiggo 4 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What has changed?
The grille is the most obvious change for the updated Tiggo 4, and we like the way it works with the headlights that flank it. Inside, Chery has also reduced the amount of piano-black trim on the centre console following owner complaints about smudges and scratches. Less glossy trim is welcome in a part of the cabin owners touch every day.
Interior space remains a strong point with the Tiggo 4. For a small SUV, the cabin feels generous, and its presentation is good for an inexpensive car. For us, that matters more here than another burst of acceleration.
Chery’s Australian product representative told us the updated naturally aspirated hybrid will arrive Down Under first. The new turbo hybrid is planned to follow, potentially in the second half of 2027, following Australian tuning work. That timing is still tentative, however.
To see how the existing Chery Tiggo 4 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Chery Tiggo 4 drive?
Acceleration is the turbo hybrid’s strongest first impression. It feels brisk for a car of this size, with more performance than we would expect in a budget-minded compact SUV.
The extra urge is enjoyable. Whether it's worth paying for is another matter, particularly in a small SUV bought for value.
The steering is very light. There is little effort required at the wheel, although a longer drive is needed to assess how it feels across a wider range of speeds and roads.
This was a short preview in China. We still need a proper Australian drive to assess ride comfort, highway behaviour, driver-assistance functions, and fuel consumption.
Chery’s planned local tuning also means this car is an early but non-identical indication of what Aussie buyers can expect.
To see how the existing Chery Tiggo 4 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Chery Tiggo 4
We like what we've seen of the updated Tiggo 4. The styling changes work well, the cabin remains roomy, and the new turbo hybrid powertrain has no shortage of performance, at least based on this brief test.
Our recommendation would still be to start with the entry-level non-hybrid petrol variant, provided Chery keeps it close to today’s $23,990 drive-away price. The extra acceleration is nice to have, but it wouldn't persuade us to spend several thousand dollars more on its own.
The turbo hybrid could make a stronger case with a smaller price premium or a bigger improvement in real-world efficiency, but given the extra performance it offers over the current Tiggo 4 Hybrid, that seems unlikely.
We'll need Australian pricing and a longer drive to make a final judgement but, for now, keeping the Tiggo 4 affordable matters more to us than making it quicker.
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MORE: Explore the Chery Tiggo 4 showroom
Pros
- Brisk turbo-hybrid performance
- Generous cabin space, appealing presentation
- Sharper front-end styling, less glossy console trim
Cons
- Very light steering
- Performance alone doesn't justify HEV premium
- Full Australian pricing and specs remain TBC