Test Chery Tiggo 4 Pro. To replace the Hyundai Creta

The new crossover has changed slightly in appearance, so it received a new branded radiator grille with a three-dimensional pattern, like the older models Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro. The front bumper has been tweaked a bit, and the all-LED headlights, available only in the top two trim levels, now come with a new pattern of daytime running lights and modified taillights. In the maximum trim levels, they added red / yellow accents to the exterior and interior of the car, which looks pretty nice. And for each of the five modifications (Action, Family, Travel, Style and Ultimate), the manufacturer offers an individual design of cast aluminum wheels. Also, buyers are offered six body colors, among which there are classic black / white, and those who want a brighter look can look at the red version.

Externally, the car reminded me of the Hyundai Creta in the past body, which now does not look so interesting. A little angular, a little rustic, although for those who do not really follow the trends in automotive design or do not want to stand out on the road, it will be just right. But against the background of the same Haval Jolion, the new Tiggo 4 Pro still looks boring and a little outdated, so I don’t understand how Chery is going to attract a young audience, which they focus on in promotional materials for this model. In general, and sales data show that the buyer votes with a ruble for more fashionable and modern urban crossovers – Haval Jolion and Geely Coolray, which are sold twice as well as models from Chery.

The interior design of the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro looks more interesting than the exterior, but it has not been without a fly in the ointment. So, if the older models have already been transferred to a new unified interior design style, where we are met by two screens combined into a single box, then the younger model received the previous solution with a separate media system display and a separate, partially digital dashboard. No, I understand that this is the initial model in the manufacturer’s line, but it was still possible to issue it in the current format.

Everything else looks good. A straight front panel and a wide central tunnel with a low Chery-branded automatic transmission lever visually increase the interior space. The architecture in the cabin is quite simple, but at the same time, the designers have integrated many small inserts, due to which everything looks interesting. Yes, and the red accents that were available in our car in the Style package refresh the interior, and they are present not only on the seats, but also on the door cards and front panel. Separately, I note the attention of designers to details, which are the rocker keys, which are inscribed in the part of the decorative insert under the metal, or here are the deflector handles, which are not made anyhow and look expensive. At night, the interior is refreshed, albeit modest, but atmospheric lighting with a choice of one of seven available colors. True, in my opinion, it would be better if the manufacturer removed this backlight and instead put an additional reading lamp in the rear of the cabin, which is very lacking there.

According to the materials, everything is at a good level, especially in the upper part of the cabin in sight. So, the front panel is covered with soft plastic on top, below there are elements covered with artificial leather, and there are also neat metal-like inserts, some, it feels, even with a metallic coating. Yes, below we already have an abundance of oak plastic, but its quality is not the worst, and for this class it is excusable.

Behind the wheel of a car, a driver of almost any height and build should be quite comfortable. The electric driver’s seat, including the adjustment of the lumbar support in two planes, is enough with a margin, as well as the adjustment of the steering column in height and reach. The front seats, for my taste, are a little soft, but their profile is correct and there is, albeit small, but tangible lateral support, even if the pillow is more authentic, and it would be good.

By myself, with a height of 187 cm, I sit back to back, my knees almost rest against the back of the front seat, but at least there is space below, besides, there is practically no central tunnel here. I don’t rest my head on the roof, there is a decent margin on top, since the panorama is not allowed for the younger model, there is only a small hatch in the front with a mechanical shutter. On the back sofa there is a good central armrest, removing which, you can put three people behind, but still it’s more comfortable for the two of you. Isofix mounts are located along the edges of the sofa, but according to Chinese tradition, they are hidden between the pillows, which makes it difficult to install a child seat.

The trunk of the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro is comparable to its competitors, its volume is 340 liters, and with the sofa backs unfolded it reaches 1100 liters. The backrests fold in the crossover only from the passenger compartment, separately, and form an almost flat floor. The tailgate, unfortunately, without an electric drive, even in the top version.

The media system of the updated Chery Tiggo 4 Pro supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay platforms, everything is wired only, but there is no standard navigation. The display here is 10.25-inch touchscreen with HD resolution. The picture quality is good, the response is also good, but the oleophobic coating could be better. The menu logic is simple and clear, the drawing is decent, and the icons resemble those on Android smartphones. There is a choice of wallpapers from three preset options. The system works not to say that it is very fast, but there are no special brakes either. In terms of capabilities, everything is standard, the set of options is minimal, but there is a traditional Chinese feature with the ability to view video from external sources, even on the go.

A platform with wireless charging according to the Qi standard appeared on the central tunnel, an iPhone 14 Pro Max in a case is almost back to back, but it charges without problems. In all trim levels, excluding the initial one, three USB-A connectors are available. Two in the front of the cabin on the lower tier, there is also a platform with a rubber mat on which you can put the device. And one USB was given to the passengers in the back. Modern gadgets are charged from the car’s on-board network quite quickly, so you can do without additional adapters.

The connection of smartphones with the car via Bluetooth is fast and flawless, only one device can be connected at a time. There are no particular difficulties with importing contacts, except that the media system seamlessly displays the names of subscribers. The speakerphone works without problems, and the interlocutor always hears you well. Unfortunately, the digital instrument panel is separated from the multimedia system, so that all information related to working with the phone or media content is carried out only from the central display.

Even the owners of Tiggo 4 Pro get at their disposal the Chery Connect telematics system, which makes it possible to access car data from a smartphone from anywhere in the world, as well as partially control it. For an extra charge, this system can be supplemented with a security complex.

The dashboard is a 7-inch rectangular display inscribed in the center, which has two display themes tied to the driving mode. Moreover, the themes in the car do not affect the nature of the data display, but only the color palette changes. On the dashboard, we can view the data of the on-board computer and perform a couple of simple operations related to the settings. The panel is recessed deep into the console and covered with a visor, so that all the data on it is read without problems in any light.

In terms of a set of driver assistants, our Style package was not the richest. So, we had a simple cruise control with convenient steering wheel controls, a light sensor and a rain sensor. I didn’t really like the latter in work, I often had to switch to manual mode. And we also had an all-round camera with a high-quality picture and dynamic markings. Moreover, the information from the parking sensors was superimposed directly on the picture from the cameras in BMW format, highlighting each of the four sensors and changing their color depending on the distance. In addition, information from parking sensors is also duplicated here on the dashboard in graphical mode.

With regards to comfort options, the car has dual-zone climate control, which works perfectly in automatic mode and does not require adjustments in the process. But here we have a climate unit with touch keys and sliders, it is inconvenient to use, especially on the go. Moreover, its surface is made of glossy black plastic, which quickly gets dirty and covered with micro-scratches, losing its marketable appearance. Plus, some options are available only from the screen of the media system, which, in my opinion, makes no sense if there is a separate physical unit. But at least the steering wheel heating is here from the usual physical button on the steering wheel itself, in contrast to the touch keys of the two-level heating of the front seats. Yes, the latter warms up both the pillow and the back well. For rear passengers, separate heating of the sofa and two deflectors with the ability to control the direction of flow are available.

You can’t call a crossover particularly comfortable; The suspension is assembled, it elastically works out small and medium bumps, although it already gives in to large ones and shakes the passengers too much, especially those who are behind.

The car is available for sale with two variants of 1.5-liter engines, the first is a four-cylinder aspirated engine with a capacity of 113 hp, which is paired with either a five-speed manual or a CVT18 variator (7 virtual steps). The second, already turbocharged gasoline, also a four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 147 hp, which is available only in the version with a CVT25 variator (9 virtual steps). The manufacturer says that both engines are reliable, with cast iron cylinder blocks. Judging by the characteristics, with the aspirated crossover is quite a vegetable, 14.6 seconds to 100 km / h for the version with a CVT is sad. The turbocharged version is already more fun, up to 100 km / h it accelerates in 9.7 seconds according to the passport. The drive in all variants is only front, which is generally enough for an urban crossover.

We had a car with a turbocharged engine. Here, the engine-box combination is well tuned, the car is obedient and responsive. But, like the rest of the front-wheel drive representatives of the Chery brand, only two driving modes are available here: Eco and Sport. The first mode is rather sluggish, while the second makes the car too twitchy, and the steering wheel too heavy, so it is not suitable for every day. Plus, it’s uncomfortable to ride in Sport in winter, it often breaks off the front wheels, although it should be better in summer. The crossover clearly lacks an intermediate mode so that you do not have to constantly press the pedal to the floor on dry pavement, as in Eco, but also do not jump from a place with a slight pressure on the accelerator, as in Sport. In general, I will not tire of repeating that the Chinese manufacturer should consider this issue in order to please the maximum number of buyers.

Managed by a compact urban crossover, unfortunately, as a larger fellow. There is no question of any lightness and maneuverability here, and the dynamic mode of movement is not only contraindicated for him, but it is corny uncomfortable to drive like this on an ongoing basis. Yes, and in the corners there are tangible rolls. Now, if you move smoothly and evenly, and in Eco-mode you can basically only go this way, then there are no complaints about the Tiggo 4 Pro, this is its element.

The ground clearance of the car is 190 mm, which is quite good for this class of car. In winter, its owner will feel more confident, and he will drive off to the dirt road without fear, although, of course, the Tiggo 4 Pro will not be a real SUV anyway.

In terms of fuel consumption, everything is standard – 10 liters per 100 km in the city, and if there are no special traffic jams, then it drops to 9 liters per hundred. You can fill the crossover with 92nd gasoline, but it is still better to pour the 95th into a car with a turbo engine.

Prices for Chery Tiggo 4 Pro today start at 2,099,900 rubles, you will have to throw another 100,000 rubles for the variator, and the top version will cost 2,549,900 rubles. If you take advantage of all the manufacturer’s marketing promotions, then the price of all modifications can be reduced by 300,000 rubles.