When Chinese vehicles first touched down on South African soil, it's safe to say that most consumers were skeptical. Their poor build quality and lack of safety features troubled many and failed to make the appealing price desirable.
Those that did buy one of these newcomers were impressed with the value on offer, but found out shortly why their cars were so cheap - they were badly made. Reports of early rusting, engine failure and other mechanical maladies were common and, before they left a mark, the Chinese had packed up shop and left.
However, this all started to change with the advent of Haval. Yes, they were Chinese and their cars were certainly cheap. But this time, they were good to drive. The early H6C was a revelation for a Chinese car, with a perky engine, high quality interior and good looks.
Haval is now on a roll, their stylish SUVs populating the roads. Seeing their success, another company has decided to re-enter South Africa: Chery.
The carmaker had a brief affair with South Africa, selling their Tiggo, J5 and QQ models here a few years ago. However, the new model seems far evolved from those older examples.
Not only does it look good (a massive drawcard for crossover buyers) but the brand has announced an astonishing 10-year/1 million km engine warranty for the Tiggo. There is a caveat though, as Chery explains:
"The warranty has two elements. A standard 5-year / 150 000 km factory warranty applies to all new Tiggo 4 Pro models sold. This warranty remains with the vehicle. The second, a free extension for another 5 years and a massive 850 000 km focussed on the engine, is added automatically at the end of the first warranty, provided that the vehicle is still owned by the original owner."
The Tiggo Pro 4 is powered by a choice of two powertrains; a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine which develops 83 kW and 138 Nm of torque. This is available with Urban or Comfort trim levels. Urban makes do with a five-speed manual 'box while Comfort models receive a CVT transmission.
For those craving more power, the Elite and Elite SE derivatives are fitted with a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, producing 108 kW and 210 Nm of torque. A CVT automatic gearbox is available, along with a six-speed manual transmission.
What Chery says will make the new Tiggo stand out, is the luxurious interior. All models are equipped with a digital instrument cluster, with non-turbo models receiving a 3.5-inch screen. The more powerful models receive a screen that is twice the size; a 7-inch version with customisation options.
Standard across the range is a 10.25-inch infotainment system. Equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and a DVD player, it is positively feature-rich. What's more, two USB ports are standard. All but the entry-level Urban model receive a reverse camera.
Urban and Comfort models make do with four speakers, with Elite models receiving six for better sound quality. Elite models also ship standard with voice control and a sunroof. Naturally, the entire range has standard air-conditioning, the Elite models gaining dual-zone climate control over the Comfort and Urban models manual air-con. Elite models also have a full leather interior and a driver's seat with electric adjustment.
Safety wise, the Tiggo Pro 4 receives a number of driving aids, with traction and stability control, ABS brakes hill-assist and more. Elite models receive six airbags, while lesser models have to make do with just two.
The special edition Elite SE adds unique styling touches, with red detailing on the brake calipers as well as the front and rear skidplates.
The interior detailing mimics the exterior, with red contras stitching found on the door handles and the lower part of the facia. LED interior lighting is also standard on the Elite SE. Finally, the brand has also included puddle lights in the side mirrors and welcome lights for the front passengers.
FAQ
Q: What does the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro cost in South Africa?
The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro starts from around R389,900 for the Urban manual variant, while the Comfort automatic model sits closer to R429,900, making it a competitive option in the compact crossover segment.
Q: Is the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro worth buying in 2024?
The Tiggo 4 Pro offers excellent value with its 10-year/1 million km engine warranty and modern features, but you'll need to weigh the brand's previous reliability issues against the attractive pricing and comprehensive coverage.
Q: How reliable is Chery compared to other Chinese car brands in SA?
Chery's first stint in SA was problematic with early rusting and mechanical failures, but the brand claims significant improvements with the new Tiggo 4 Pro, backed by their extensive warranty coverage that suggests increased confidence in build quality.
Q: What engine options are available in the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro?
The Tiggo 4 Pro comes with a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 83 kW and 138 Nm, available with either a five-speed manual gearbox in Urban trim or an automatic transmission in Comfort specification.
Q: Does the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro warranty really last 10 years?
Yes, but there's a catch: you get a standard 5-year/150,000 km warranty initially, then an additional 5-year/850,000 km engine-only warranty kicks in, provided you're still the original owner and have maintained the service schedule.
Should You Buy It?
The best budget crossover gamble under R430,000 in SA is the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, but only if you're comfortable being an early adopter. At R389,900 for the manual Urban, you're getting a decent-looking crossover with modern features and that impressive 10-year engine warranty. However, Chery's previous SA track record was dismal, with owners facing rust, engine failures, and poor after-sales support before the brand disappeared. While the new Tiggo 4 Pro appears vastly improved and the warranty coverage suggests genuine confidence, you're still taking a punt on a brand that burned bridges here before. If you're budget-conscious and can live with potential resale value concerns, the Tiggo 4 Pro offers compelling value. But if reliability peace of mind matters more than saving a few rand, stick with proven performers like the Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos.