Chery Tiggo 4 Pro DCT (2024) Review
Has Chery achieved a notable improvement in the Tiggo 4 Pro’s fuel consumption by equipping its small crossover with a dual-clutch automatic transmission? We put the updated Chery Tiggo 4 Pro DCT to the test.
We like: Punchy performance, excellent value
We don’t like: Still thirsty compared with rivals, low-speed jerkiness
FAST FACTS
- Model: Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5T Elite DCT auto
- Price: R415 900 (June 2024, before options)
- Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol
- Power/Torque: 108 kW/210 Nm
- 0-100 kph: 9.33 sec (tested)
- Claimed fuel consumption: 6.7 L/100 km
- Luggage capacity: 340-1 100 litres (approx. utility space)
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Where does the 2024 Chery Tiggo 4 Pro fit in?
The diminutive Tiggo 4 Pro is the entry point to Chery’s rapidly expanding crossover/SUV line-up. The Chinese brand’s compact family car, which was launched in 2021, updated in 2022 and gained a LiT derivative in 2023, has been well received by South African motorists and it’s easy to see why.
At the price, few rivals can match this small crossover’s value proposition. With an enticing warranty and service plan for added peace of mind, it’s no surprise that Chery sold over 1 100 units in May 2024 alone.
That’s not to say that the model doesn’t have room for improvement – and one of the biggest criticisms levelled at the Chery is its high fuel consumption. When paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the 1.5-litre turbopetrol is quite thirsty. Read our 2021 Chery Tiggo 4 Pro CVT review
With this updated model, Chery has added a dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT, as an alternative to the 6-speed manual or 9-step CVT); it’s claimed to improve economy and provide a sportier drive.
As for rivals, the Tiggo 4 Pro’s natural competitor is its Haval Jolion (itself refreshed for 2024) compatriot as well as several legacy brands’ models, such as the Toyota Urban Cruiser, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue and Honda Elevate.
Compare the specs of Chery Tiggo 4 Pro DCT with those of its Kia Sonet and Haval Jolion rivals
How the Tiggo 4 Pro DCT fares in terms of…
Performance and Efficiency
Given that the 2024 update focuses on the Tiggo 4 Pro’s transmission, let’s discuss the merits of the revised powertrain first. While fledgling Chinese brands’ models tend to offer excellent value, consumers have found some of those vehicles’ real-world fuel consumption figures notably higher than expected.
If you haven’t read it already, in our review of a CVT-equipped Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (December 2021), we found that the test unit’s fuel economy hovered around 8.8 L/100 km in mixed driving conditions, which was a trifle thirsty for a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol derivative (the claimed figure is 6.8 L/100 km).
To be fair, most brands’ claimed economy figures are to be taken with a pinch of salt. They’re optimistic by design, often based on software modelling and don’t always take into account real-world conditions.
We took the DCT-equipped Chery Tiggo 4 Pro on an extended drive on the open road, which served dual purposes: First, to find out the minimum indicated consumption figure that we could achieve and second, to put some miles on the clock (the test unit was delivered with only about 180 km on its odometer).
After we’d completed 410 km, the trip computer indicated 12 km/L (8.33 L/100 km): a slight improvement on 2021’s return. Note that we utilised the car’s Eco Mode and drove in a fairly conservative manner.
Perhaps if the car had been run in, it would’ve performed better. That being said, we still believe that the manufacturer’s revised claim of 6.7 L/100 km is optimistic. The Chery has a 51-litre fuel tank capacity.
Does the DCT improve the Tiggo 4 Pro’s performance? Yes, certainly. We recorded a 0-100 kph time of 9.33 sec with our test gear and while we didn’t use that equipment with the CVT version in 2021, we’re confident that the newcomer is fractionally quicker and feels more energetic in its sportiest drive mode.
Gripes? We have just the one, there can be some jerkiness, hesitation even when reversing or pulling away from standstill slowly. You gently apply the accelerator pedal and nothing happens, so you accelerate a bit more strongly and the car can suddenly lurch. We think, in time, you’ll learn to modulate the throttle, but it was initially a little stressful.
Design, Features and Practicality
There is a pair of DCT-equipped variants – the LiT and Elite (featured here) – but the 2024 update was not just about installing a dual-clutch transmission; Chery also equipped the Tiggo 4 Pro with extra kit.
The 1.5T Elite DCT auto gains a 15W wireless charging pad, a secondary climate-control touchscreen (borrowed from the Tiggo 7 Pro model) and what Chery claims is a higher-res infotainment panel. All high-end Tiggo 4 Pro derivatives come with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and satnav.
As before, the Tiggo 4 Pro also comes with a smart voice control system that allows you to request functions (such as “Open the sunroof”, for example), as well as a dual-zone automatic aircon system. Buyers will appreciate the premium feel of the leather trim on the Chery’s seats and steering wheel.
When it comes to safety, there are 6 airbags in the high-spec variants (the others offer 4). ABS, electronic stability control, hill assist, tyre pressure sensors and hill descent control are standard.
Ride and Handling
As before, the Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5T Elite DCT auto is fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60 tyres and its ride quality is acceptable at this price point. Granted, the Chery’s damping is on the firm side of pliant, but that’s par in a segment in which brands are so determined to make crossovers feel “sporty”.
Refinement suffers a little because of tyre rumble (especially noticeable when the Tiggo 4 Pro traverses coarse tarmac roads at triple-digit speeds), but it can be drowned out with the lovely Sony audio system.
The rest of the driving experience is, by the segment’s standards, difficult to fault. Keep in mind that very few models that retail from R280k (when new) will exhibit luxury-car-like road manners. That being said, the Chery’s relative lankiness does make it touch more susceptible to body roll when cornering quickly.
The ‘wheel has a pleasant, light action, which is ideal when you’re manoeuvring into tight parking spaces that require full lock-to-lock turns. We’d like a bit more feel and feedback from the Tiggo 4 Pro’s steering setup, but perhaps it’s unfair to expect those traits from a model that costs under R300k in base spec.
Price and After-sales support
The Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5T Elite DCT retails for R415 900 (June 2024), which includes a 5-year/150 000 km warranty, 10-year/1-million km engine warranty (linked to the 1st owner) and 5-year/60 000 km service plan.
See also: New Chery Tiggo 4 Pro specs & prices in South Africa
Verdict
The incorporation of a dual-clutch transmission has undoubtedly enhanced the Tiggo 4 Pro. Thanks to the auto box’s prompt shifting (you can even actuate manual shifts via the transmission lever if you like), the Chery is a bit more engaging to drive – and the powertrain’s in-gear urge feels more accessible.
Critically, the DCT-equipped derivative’s fuel economy has improved from that of the CVT version, but not by as much as we hoped. Still, it’s promising and shows that a brand can listen to its customers.
Plus, there’s good news if you own a CVT-equipped Tiggo 4 Pro… Chery SA says it’s working on a software upgrade that will improve fuel economy and it will be rolled out to existing customers.
Should you buy one? The Tiggo 4 Pro is not a flawless small crossover, but it’s hard to ignore the Chery’s sheer value-for-money proposition. Some rivals are more refined, but they’re smaller and cost a bit more.
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