Chery Tiggo Cross CSH Hybrid Elite (2025) Review
The Chery Tiggo Cross Hybrid fixes what was broken in the ICE version—but stumbles into new territory with vague steering and a frustrating parking brake quirk. It’s efficient, spacious, and well-specced, but not without compromise. If you can live with the niggles, there’s decent value to be had here.
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I will openly and honestly acknowledge that I was somewhat critical of the Chery Tiggo Cross when I reviewed it earlier this year. In my opinion, the Cross model, essentially the updated Tiggo 4, failed to move the goalposts sufficiently. It offers a compromised package in a few places, and I hoped that introducing the hybrid drivetrain would rectify some of the concerns I had around the throttle and gearbox calibration and programming.
Related: Chery Tiggo Cross Elite (2025) Video Review
Adding an electrified powertrain should, in theory, provide the low-end, off-idle response that I found lacking in the full-ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) Tiggo Cross and fill in the gaps in the power delivery. In short, the HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) has rectified many of these concerns but introduced a few new ones. Here's what I experienced this week with the new Chery Tiggo Cross Hybrid.
Styling
It will take an exceptionally keen eye to differentiate between the regular ICE Tiggo Cross and the new Hybrid variant. The HEV carries the same styling, with the large, octagonal front grille dominating the front end, flanked by LED headlights and underscored by the vertical LED daytime running lights. Two trim levels are on offer in the Hybrid: Comfort and Elite. Our Elite trim unit sported adaptive headlights as standard features.
The 17-inch alloy wheels are the only differentiating factor between the Hybrid and its siblings. The fuller face of the wheels alludes to a more aerodynamic approach, in line with the theme of saving fuel. I appreciate the decision to stick with a sensible wheel size for comfort and affordability when it comes time to replace tyres.
At the rear, a cheeky tailgate spoiler and Hybrid badging are the only tells of the powertrain hidden underneath. Finished off in gloss black, our test unit presented a handsome package that I will admit does look rather attractive, especially with the piercing LED elements of the head and taillights cutting through the dark visage. Fans of the feature will be pleased to hear that the Elite trim comes with a standard electric sunroof.
What is the difference between a Chery Tiggo Cross and a Chery Tiggo 4 Pro?
Space & Interior
The Cross offers a rather attractive and plush interior. Soft-touch materials and leather upholstery in the Elite trim make the cabin feel far more premium than its humble price tag would suggest. It has a well-styled interior with an attractive and functional dashboard layout. The 6-way power adjustable driver's seat allows you to find a suitable driving position, and the lumbar support assists with fatigue on those longer trips.
One area where the Chinese offerings always excelled is rear occupant space. In the Chery Tiggo Cross, there is more than ample space for passengers, and the near-flat floor means that the middle seat is far more comfortable than usual. The exceptional legroom is complemented by generous headroom with adequate shoulder room. A 380-litre boot offers more than enough storage space for general use, with the 60/40 split folding rear seats expanding that capacity even further.
Chery Tiggo Cross - First Drive Review
Comfort & Convenience
Part of the impressive interior is the dual 10.25-inch screen arrangement. The one in front of the driver offers basic driving information, while the centre screen houses the infotainment system. This system offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with Chery's intuitive smart assistant on hand to help speed up certain processes. It remains one of the more effective systems of its kind on offer today. Heated seats and a 6-speaker sound system are reserved for the Elite model, but ambient lighting, wireless charging, and dual-zone climate control are standard across the range.
Out on the road, the Tiggo Cross Hybrid offers a smooth and comfortable drive. The engineers at Chery certainly do know how to tune a suspension, and even over uneven, pockmarked, and repaired surfaces, the Cross Hybrid performs well, absorbing undulations admirably while still providing sufficient feedback to allow you to assess the grip levels available from the surface you're on.
How does the Chery Tiggo Cross compare to the Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Performance
The most significant change is naturally the powertrain. In the Tiggo Cross CSH Hybrid, you get a 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated (no turbocharger or supercharger) 4-cylinder petrol engine. This unit alone produces 71kW and 118Nm torque, but an electric motor complements it for a total power output of 150kW and 310Nm. This system doesn't require plugging in and will self-charge when driving and regenerating energy from braking. The addition of electrification solves almost all of my concerns about the poor throttle calibration and gearbox programming. It irons out the driving experience, seamlessly switching between EV (electric vehicle) and ICE without you noticing. The 310 Nm also makes the Cross Hybrid rather sprightly. Still, the Dedicated Hybrid Transmission behaves like a CVT, resulting in an unsettling and sustained scream from the engine when accelerating hard, as one does when overtaking.
This was also the start of some new issues encountered with the Tiggo Cross Hybrid; while it has solved some, it has introduced others. The steering is over-assisted, especially in Eco mode, and one has to set and leave it in Sport mode to prevent it from looking like you're driving through an American movie. The lack of steering feedback instantly offsets any confidence the suspension has instilled in you. On the other hand, the brakes feel positive and reliable once one gets accustomed to the regeneration effect.
Fuel Economy
The main reason for considering a hybrid is the perceived saving on running costs. Chery claims that the combined cycle fuel consumption should see you at 5.4 L/100km, and in our time with it, it was returning 4.9 L/100km with the driving favouring urban commuting. Hitting the open road does see that number climb, hybrids tend to work counter to regular ICE vehicles in that regard, but the consumption figures were still more than agreeable. A full tank of 51 litres, combined with the energy from the 1.83 kWh battery, should see you achieve a total range of 1000 km.
Chery Tiggo Cross vs Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: The lowest running costs?
Safety
The Chery Tiggo Cross Hybrid, in either Comfort or Elite trim, has a commendable amount of standard safety equipment. Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), traction control, emergency brake assist, and hill start assist are all part of the standard package, and you will get no fewer than 6 airbags. The Elite trim adds to that though, with an additional airbag, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, door opening warning, front collision warning, automatic high beam control, lane change assist, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, traffic congestion assist, and a 360-degree camera (the Comfort has to make do with a reverse camera only).
The one entirely unnecessary safety feature that is more than just mildly infuriating is the parking brake/seat belt system. Without buckling up, the automatic parking brake won't disengage. This means that pulling out of the garage cannot be done without putting on your safety belt. Woe betide those with manual garage doors or gates. Frankly, I believe this feature can be done away with, as many South Africans, with their risky approach to personal safety, will clip the belt in and sit on top of it instead to bypass it.
What safety features does the Chery Tiggo Cross have?
Price
The Chery Tiggo Cross CSH Hybrid costs R439 900 for the Comfort and R469 900 for the Elite trim. All versions come with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty on the battery and an additional 10-year/Unlimited km warranty on the battery. They also come with a 5-year/60 000 km service plan as standard. This makes the Chery Tiggo Cross the cheapest petrol-electric hybrid on the market today.
Competitors
We're here for the hybrid drivetrain, so it only makes sense that we compare apples with apples. The next nearest competitor to the Tiggo Cross Hybrid is the Toyota Corolla Corolla Hybrid, followed by the Haval Jolion Pro Hybrid and Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid, both of whom breach that R500 000 mark.
How does the Chery Tiggo Cross compare to the Toyota Corolla Cross?
Verdict
I struggled with the Chery Tiggo Cross CSH Hybrid. I truly hoped that the faults I found in the regular ICE version would be eradicated and ironed out in this interaction, but sadly, it simply changed where the faults lay. The vague steering and parking brakes are the biggest issues that would stop me from considering this vehicle if I were in the market. Being unable to pull out of the garage without buckling up first would set the tone every time, and from then on it would just be exacerbated by the driving experience. If you believe these are things you can live with, the Tiggo Cross Hybrid will satiate your fuel economy concerns and offer enough space for the kids and groceries.
