- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Fr Ar
Chery Tiggo 4. Chinese ‘brother’ of the RAV4
The Chery Tiggo 4 is currently a Chinese Tiggo 5X SUV. But regardless of its name, it is a compact SUV produced in China since September 2017. Besides China, the vehicle was also manufactured in Uruguay, Italy (DR Motor DR5), Egypt and Russia. Under the name DR3, the Tiggo 4 produced in Italy was sold in Europe at a price of 14,980 euros. By many estimates, the vehicle is in many ways similar to the Japanese bestseller, the Toyota RAV4. The Chinese ‘brother’ of the RAV4 is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine (147 hp) mated to an Aisin 6-speed manual gearbox or a Getrag robotic dual-clutch gearbox. In 2018, the model was restyled. In Israel, the SUV is not sold at the moment, but this may change in the future, as there is also an electric version.
Exterior
Although the Chery Tiggo 4 looks very much like a Toyota RAV4 outwardly, its body was designed by a team of designers, led by James Hope, who previously worked for General Motors. Apparently he loves Japanese culture: the design looks very Asian, especially the huge angled headlights. Anyway, like other SUVs from Chery, the Tiggo 4 is sporty, dynamic and alethic with its bulging wheel arches and its slender silhouette. The compact vehicle is 4,318 mm long, 1,831 mm wide and 1,662 mm high. The wheelbase is 2,610 mm, and the ground clearance reaches 190 mm.
Interior
The interior is designed in a minimalist style, featuring unusual solutions: an asymmetrical front panel, in the center of which there are oddly shaped ventilation deflectors, a 9-inch multimedia system monitor and a laconic air conditioning unit with three regulators round. The harmonious looking three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel completes the picture. The devices include pointer dials and a 4.8-inch on-board computer screen between them. The length of the wheelbase provides enough space for all passengers.
Compulsory equipment for the Comfort version includes: air conditioning, parking sensors and front airbags. The Luxury version is completed with a leather interior, a Cloudrive multimedia system, a reversing camera, etc. Options include a glass roof, electric driver’s seat, rear view camera, engine start button, but there is no climate control system.
Powertrains
In China, the new Chery Tiggo 4 was initially equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 147 hp, paired with Aisin 6-speed manual or Getrag dual-clutch robotic gearboxes. Later, the manufacturer introduced a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine, producing 122 hp, combined with a CVT with optimized acceleration characteristics and improved smoothness of operation. The model is front-wheel-drive only and features a MacPherson-type suspension at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear. The manufacturer kept the acceleration characteristics secret, indicating only the maximum speed, reaching 170 km/h.
2018 restyling
A year and a half after the release, the vehicle underwent its first restyling, which did not touch its engines. The 2018/2019 Chery Tiggo 4 has acquired new bumpers and taillights. The SUV has become more serious and even closer to its ideological inspiration from Toyota. The interior decoration has been slightly updated, mainly due to the new decor. The basic equipment list includes two airbags, steering wheel tilt and reach adjustment, air conditioning, heated front seats, electrical accessories, light sensor, rear parking sensor, downhill assistant, a radio with four speakers and 17-inch light-alloy wheels. The superior versions offer a heated steering wheel.
Electric Chery Tiggo e
The electric Chery Tiggo e is very easy to confuse with the regular Tiggo 4. In appearance, they are almost identical, except for the new grille, front bumper, headlights with lens and LEDs, a red insert between the taillights instead of a chrome bar. Interestingly, when creating an electric vehicle based on the Tiggo 4, Chery kept decorative pipes, probably for economic reasons. The model features a dashboard similar to the old models, a central console without a usual gear lever, a panoramic roof, but without a sunroof. The electric version is equipped with an electric motor with a capacity of 129 hp and a battery with a capacity of 53.6 kWh. The electric SUV travels about 400 kilometers. The Chery Tiggo e is no longer produced in China, but is still sold.
