2025 Chery Tiggo Cross 1.5 CVT

Challenging the status quo

When it comes to value for money these days, it is hard to ignore the proposition that vehicles from China offer. This also poses a challenge to established carmakers, as the rapid development of Chinese vehicles can now match for quality whilst even exceeding the level of technology that established brands offer.

One of the brands that started showing this was Chery. From its rocky start with models like the QQ from the early 2000s, the brand steadily improved its products, but the value for money remained to cater to price-conscious buyers. Lately, they have been offering their models at a price point where you’ll usually find smaller examples from other manufacturers, such as the new Tiggo Cross, which is a B-segment crossover but priced under PHP 1 million.

Usually, bigger cars that are placed on a lower price point get plenty of deletions on the spec sheet. But the Tiggo Cross, on the other hand, says otherwise. That said, an impressive spec sheet doesn’t necessarily mean an impressive vehicle overall. So how does the Tiggo Cross fare then?

For starters, the Tiggo Cross takes inspiration from its bigger Tiggo siblings when you look at the exterior. It’s not exactly new, as the body shell still shares a lot with the Tiggo 5X. It features a bold grille, swept-back LED headlights, plus the usual black cladding on the fenders and rocker panel for a more rugged appearance.

It rides on 17-inch wheels, and ground clearance is decent at 185mm. The upright stance gives it that essential crossover attitude, while at the back, there’s a full-width LED treatment with clear lenses for the taillights, and it spells out Chery proudly in the middle. So, for the initial eye test outside, the design is clean and contemporary. It certainly doesn’t look like a budget offering from afar.

Inside, you’ll find an interior that wants to punch above its price point. Sure, there are hard plastics here and there, but what’s important is that Chery put soft-touch materials in key areas of the cabin. The dashboard design is simple, but functional, with a large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system taking center stage. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while the lack of an automatic climate control system is less of a worry since the Tiggo Cross’ A/C unit is pretty strong already.

Rear seat space is surprisingly generous for a B-segment SUV, and the flat floor makes it a comfortable place even for three passengers. Luggage space is also good for a B-SUV, though not class-leading at 31 inches long, 36 inches wide, and 33 inches tall with all the seats up. The 60:40 split rear seats will increase cargo length up to 55 inches in case you’re carrying more items.

Under the hood of the Tiggo Cross is a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 114 PS and 141 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a CVT that drives the front wheels, but let me put it out of the way already when it comes to the driving aspects.

The performance of the powertrain is adequate for city driving and light highway duties, but don’t expect much in the way of excitement. The throttle response is smooth, but the CVT will need a bit more refining, especially with the rubber banding effect. To put it simply, it takes a while for the CVT to respond when you punch the throttle immediately during overtaking. I found that the CVT feels more at home when you have a lighter right foot, then slowly squeeze it to full.

In mixed driving conditions, the Tiggo Cross averaged around 10.5 km/l, which is pretty decent for a naturally aspirated crossover with a CVT. Highway cruises, however,  only yield 14 km/l – still good, but certainly not in the league of other 1.5-liter crossovers such as the N/A HR-V and the Sonet that can push it up to 18 and 19 km/l.  

The suspension leans more toward comfort, so body roll is noticeable during hard cornering and braking. It’s no corner carver in this regard, but the tradeoff to that is the Tiggo Cross can soak up most road imperfections with ease. Likewise, the steering is light, so it’s ideal for navigating tight streets or parking in urban areas, at the expense of feedback. With disc brakes on all four corners, there’s plenty of braking power accessible, but the pedal feel is predictable and well-modulated.

Unfortunately, advanced driver aids like lane departure warning or AEB aren’t available. But then again, that’s a compromise expected at this price point.

At PHP 998,000, the 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross CVT has a value proposition that's hard to ignore. It offers the look and feel of a crossover, usable tech, and good comfort levels at a price that undercuts many rivals.

Sure, it doesn’t offer turbo power or advanced safety features, but it gets the essentials right. The drive is somehow uneventful, so those looking for driving engagement might find the crossover pretty bland in that regard. But if that aspect isn’t part of your non-negotiables, then the Tiggo Cross deserves a serious look.