It took me just about two hours behind the wheel of the Chery Tiggo Cross to realise that something was seriously off with this vehicle. On paper, it has everything going for it — especially when you consider the R449,900 price tag for the fully specced Elite model I had on test. It’s competitively priced, generously equipped, and quite striking to look at. But there’s one major issue that, for me, completely overshadows all of that.
Let’s start with the positives — and there are quite a few.
Design & Styling
In terms of looks, Chery nailed it with the Tiggo Cross. It closely resembles the Tiggo 4 Pro in terms of size and styling. In fact, in certain international markets, the Tiggo Cross replaces the 4 Pro entirely. Here in South Africa, though, both models are sold side by side, which is a bit confusing — but we’ll get to that later.
The front end of the Tiggo Cross makes a bold statement. The large, star-studded diamond-patterned grille dominates the fascia and gives it a premium look. The LED headlights are sleek and modern, with striking vertical daytime running lights that finish off the look nicely. Move around to the side and you’ll find rugged cladding along the lower door sills, which adds to its SUV appeal — something that South African motorists are especially fond of. The Elite model ups the ante with 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, and a small sunroof, which while modest by modern standards, still adds to the premium feel. At the rear, a full-width LED light bar connects the taillights, giving the car a sleek and sophisticated rear profile. From every angle, it’s a stunner.
Interior & Features
Step inside, and the cabin doesn’t disappoint either. It feels spacious, well laid out, and impressively modern. The materials are soft-touch where it matters, and the overall design leans towards sporty and minimalistic. The driver’s seat is electronically adjustable and there’s ample legroom in both the front and rear. Rear passengers are well taken care of with air vents, a USB charging port, and a fold-down centre console with an armrest and cup holders.
Boot space is also commendable — enough to handle a family’s weekend luggage with no problem.
In terms of features and technology, the Tiggo Cross is packed to the brim. You get all the modern driver aids you’d expect — front collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and even adaptive cruise control. The Elite model also adds a 360-degree camera system, front heated seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On paper, it ticks every box. So then — what’s the problem?
The Confusing Positioning
First off, there’s the issue of where the Tiggo Cross fits into Chery’s lineup. At R399,900 for the entry-level model, it’s priced exactly the same as the Tiggo 7 Pro. That’s a head-scratcher. The Tiggo 7 Pro is larger, arguably more refined, and part of Chery’s more premium offering. So where does that leave the Cross? Is it a sportier alternative to the Tiggo 4 Pro? A budget version of the Tiggo 7 Pro? The overlapping prices and specs make it difficult to understand what the Cross is actually trying to be. From a consumer perspective, that kind of confusion is never a good thing.
The Dealbreaker: Driving Experience
But here’s my real issue with the Chery Tiggo Cross — and it’s a dealbreaker: the gearbox. I can confidently say it’s one of the most unrefined driving experiences I’ve had in recent years.
Whether you’re reversing into a parking space or pulling off from a traffic light, the gearbox feels confused and sluggish. There’s a noticeable delay when you press the accelerator, followed by an awkward and sudden lurch forward — almost as if the car is overcompensating for the delay. It’s jerky, unpredictable, and honestly, quite frustrating to deal with daily.
The braking experience doesn’t inspire much confidence either. The first few millimetres of pedal travel seem to do absolutely nothing, making the brakes feel soft and unresponsive. In stop-and-go traffic or tight manoeuvres, this becomes particularly annoying — and at times, slightly unnerving.
Fuel Consumption & Value
Fuel consumption is another sore point. Chery claims a combined figure of 7.1L/100km, but the closest I got during my time with the car was around 9.3L/100km. In town driving conditions, I was seeing numbers closer to 10.5L/100km — far from ideal, especially in a market where fuel prices are constantly rising. Combine this with the R449,900 price tag of the Elite model, and you start to wonder if the value proposition really holds up.
There are several vehicles in this price bracket that offer a far more refined and confident driving experience, even if they don’t come with quite as many bells and whistles. At the end of the day, a car can look fantastic and be packed with features, but if it doesn’t deliver where it matters most — the drive — it falls short.
Final Thoughts
The Chery Tiggo Cross is undeniably stylish, feature-rich, and competitively priced. It has all the ingredients of a great compact SUV — except one: a smooth and refined driving experience. Unfortunately, that’s the one area where it completely misses the mark for me.
As much as I wanted to like it, I simply can’t recommend a car that doesn’t deliver on the basics. After all, a car’s primary purpose is to drive — and the Tiggo Cross just doesn’t do that well enough.
As Tested:
Chery Tiggo Cross Elite – R449,900
5-Year/60,000km Service Plan
5-Year/150,000km Warranty
10 Year/1 million km Engine Warranty (First Owner)
Jameel Ismail
proudly ALL THINGS MOTORING
