Review: 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross – Exceptional value for money

In the past, shopping for a compact-sized SUV was pretty straightforward, as the sole option was the Perodua Ativa. A couple of years later, Honda responded with the WR-V.

Not wanting to be left out, Chery Malaysia recently introduced the 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross back in July – the company’s most affordable and most compact SUV to-date. The company held its first-ever media drive for us to sample the just-launched 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross, in both turbo and hybrid forms, allowing us to review this new SUV.

Overview – Tiggo Cross crosses segments, geddit?

Spyshots of the Chery Tiggo Cross, back then which many still called the Chery Tiggo 4, surfaced as early as March 2021. It took Chery another four years plus before the model was launched here as the 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross.

And that 4-year wait was worth it, as not only Chery gave us Malaysians the latest Tiggo Cross, but the Wuhu-based company also gave us not one, but two different powertrains.

Watch: All-New Chery Tiggo Cross Official Launch in Malaysia from RM88,800

The first powertrain is a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that churns out 147 PS and 210 Nm, mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) that sends power to the front wheels. This powertrain mirrors the recently-launched 2025 Chery O5 facelift, albeit at a slightly lower state-of-tune.

2025 Chery Tiggo Cross Hybrid engine bay

Then there’s the Tiggo Cross Hybrid, which gets a rather sophisticated petrol-electric hybrid 1.5-litre engine mated to Chery’s Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT150) with two integrated motors, allowing for a combined output of 204 PS and 310 Nm. One motor is used for power generation, while the other drives the front wheels – powered by an on-board 1.83-kWh battery pack.

The DHT in the Tiggo Cross hybrid functions just like an electronic CVT (eCVT), as the electric motor is the main source of propulsion; the petrol engine (102 PS and 125 Nm) only assists the electric motor at higher speeds.

Apart from the high-tech hybrid powertrain, the headlining part of the Tiggo Cross are its prices: the turbo variant is priced from RM 88,800, and the hybrid goes for RM 99,800. Both prices are on-the-road, without insurance. This makes the 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross Hybrid the most affordable hybrid in Malaysia, at the time of writing.

2025 Chery Tiggo Cross Hybrid front view

Granted, these prices are a tad bit higher than the Ativa, but priced much closer to the Honda WR-V.

That said, the dimensions of the Tiggo Cross puts the model closer in-line with larger B-segment SUVs, which we will get to below.

Exterior – 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross is one smart-looking SUV

There’s definitely an air of maturity in the design of the Tiggo Cross – it doesn’t look as garish or outlandish as the Omoda 5, whilst being able to identify as its own model.

The 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross you see here utilizes Chery’s latest design language, featuring a large and prominent front grille, flanked by a pair of automatic LED headlights (both variants). The Tiggo Cross’ LED daytime running lights (DRLs) are the vertical strips at the edge of the front bumper, giving this compact SUV an unmistakably Chery design.

Towards the rear is a one-piece LED tail light with intricate lighting elements – a big departure from the Tiggo 4’s separated lights. The new tail lights give the Tiggo Cross a more modern appeal.

Visually, what sets the Hybrid apart from the Turbo are the wheels – the Hybrid gets aerodynamically-designed 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Turbo gets larger 18-inch units. Yes, you read that right – 18-inch wheels on an compact-sized SUV.

There are also subtle differences in the models’ emblems – the Turbo gets Tiggo and Cross spelt out on each corner of the tailgate, while the Hybrid gets Tiggo Cross on one edge and Hybrid emblem on the other edge.

And that sleek-looking window between the C- and D-pillar? That’s just a plastic trim; there’s no actual window there. At least it helps to break up the monotony of the Tiggo Cross’ window line, even if it looks gimmicky.

The 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross measures 4,318 mm long, 1,830 mm wide, and 1,670 mm tall. Its wheelbase is 2,610 mm long. These dimensions put the Tiggo Cross ahead of the Ativa and WR-V; only a couple of mm shy of the Proton X50 and Honda HR-V.

Typical of most Chinese models, the Tiggo Cross offers a generous wheelbase compared to its direct rivals. Couple that with its 4,318 mm length, the Tiggo Cross ends up with minimal front and rear overhangs. The Honda HR-V, which shares the same 2,610 mm wheelbase, is built longer, resulting in a more balanced overall design.

Interior – Gloss black is the main theme

Stepping into the cabin of the Tiggo Cross and you’re greeted with a very modern and smart-looking dashboard.

Compared to some of its similarly-priced rivals, the Tiggo Cross perhaps offers the most modern design, thanks to its dual 10.25-inch digital displays and large digital climate control.

More impressively, the Turbo variant of the Tiggo Cross offers a chilled centre console storage (Hybrid doesn’t get that) – a feature that’s normally reserved for way more upmarket and expensive models.

Other features not found on similarly-priced rivals include a sunglasses holder, soft touch dashboard with proper sticking (not molded ones), and even telescopic steering adjustment. There’s even a soft-close glovebox and power-adjustable seats.

While the Turbo variant offers physical controls for the electric parking brake and Auto Hold controls, the Hybrid variant lacks that, curiously enough. On the flip side, the Hybrid offers a centre airbag (different from side airbag), a sportier steering wheel, and even Door Opening Warning (DOW).

Given its generous 2,610 mm wheelbase, rear legroom is acceptable. Bear in mind that during our media drive, both front seats were occupied by 180 cm tall adults, with seats adjusted to their heights and I still have sufficient rear leg room.

Driving experience – Power or efficiency, your choice

Starting off with the turbo, we enjoyed the power delivery of the forced-induction engine – there’s enough grunt to get the 1,468 kg SUV up to highway speeds with ease. The six-speed DCT sounds good on paper, but in actuality, shifts can feel a tad bit sluggish at times.

From a standstill, we also noticed that the Tiggo Cross Turbo can get jerky when the EPB is engaged; it takes a bit of learning to gently modulating the throttle and get the car to disengage the EPB at the right moment.

Crucially, despite some niggles, the Tiggo Cross Turbo is one refined compact SUV – wind and tyre noises are well insulated from the cabin, even at highway speeds.

As for handling, the Tiggo Cross Turbo is a mixed bag. On one hand, we appreciate the suspension, which is tuned on the firmer side of things, though we noticed that there’s a slight tendency of the Tiggo Cross leaning in long sweeping turns. Not a deal breaker by any means, though one should definitely take it easy with the Tiggo Cross and treat it like it is, a city-dwelling SUV.

The Tiggo Cross Hybrid solves most of those issues. Thanks to its petrol-electric powertrain, starting off from a standstill isn’t nearly as jerky. Swapping out the DCT in the Tiggo Cross Hybrid also meant that the overall driving experience is far smoother.

Anecdotally, the ride comfort of the Tiggo Cross Hybrid feels more resolved than the Turbo, likely due to the smaller 17-inch wheels.

The Tiggo Cross’ impressive NVH levels doesn’t end there – unlike some more expensive hybrids, you barely notice when the sub-RM100k Tiggo Cross Hybrid’s engine kicks in.

And the biggest question – what’s the fuel economy of the 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross like?

The 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross, in the entry Turbo trim, returned roughly 9L/100 km. Far from impressive, but bear in mind that we were far from gentle when driving the turbo. With a more disciplined right foot, we reckon that figure could be nudged into the low 7s (Chery quotes an official figure of 6.3 L/100 km).

Then there’s the Tiggo Cross Hybrid. On our drive back from Terengganu back to KL, we were as gentle as much as we could, resulting with an average fuel consumption figure of just 3.6 L/100 km. 1,000 km per tank is almost attainable, but the catch is that you have to hypermile your way to reach those figures (bear in mind that the fuel tank is massive too, coming in at 51 litres).

It involved a lot of careful throttle input and drafting behind larger vehicles – something not many owners would be willing to put up with, we reckon.

Conclusion – Almost unbeatable at this price point

With everything said and done, there’s much to like about the 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross.

The NVH levels are impressive given its price point, and the Hybrid’s powertrain is remarkably refined for what it is. On top of that, we appreciate the build quality of the cabin, as we didn’t notice any creaks or rattling noises during our time with the car.

That said, the glossy black finishing on the centre console can get rather blinding when the sun reflects on the surface, and the turbo powertrain might need some getting used to.

Keep in mind that the 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross, at the end of the day, is a sub-RM100k SUV and one should approach the model with expectations matching a sub-RM100k model. Manage your expectations for a sub-RM100k model and the Tiggo Cross proves to be a decent enough all-rounder.

We are aware that other hybrid options do exist, but those options cost upwards of 40% more than the Tiggo Cross, leaving the Tiggo Cross in a unique enough position in the market.