Not quite Australia’s cheapest hybrid: Chery Tiggo 4 hybrid locked-in to battle MG ZS and Toyota Corolla Cross

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Chery has announced a new hybrid variant of its popular Tiggo 4 small SUV, which should add another quiver to the affordable SUV’s bow. 

The Tiggo 4 hybrid has been priced at $29,990 driveaway, falling $2000 short of MG’s smaller MG3 Excite Hybrid+ ($27,990 driveaway), which will retain the title of Australia’s cheapest plugless hybrid. 

The Suzuki Swift Hybrid ($24,490 driveaway) is cheaper again, but only offers a 12-volt mild hybrid system that doesn’t bring the same power and fuel gains as the Tiggo 4 and MG ZS’s systems. 

The Tiggo 4 hybrid can, however, proudly proclaim to be the cheapest in its small SUV category, beating fellow Chinese-owned $32,990 (driveaway) MG ZS Excite Hybrid+ – the segment’s current best-seller. 

It also outprices key segment rivals; the $36,480 (list) Toyota Corolla Cross GX Hybrid and $36,500 (list) Hyundai Kona Hybrid. The Tiggo 4 even outdoes the smaller Toyota Yaris Cross GX ($30,990 list). 

Overall measurements for the Tiggo 4 hybrid are likely to be identical to its combustion-only twin, with a length of 4307mm, width of 1825mm, height of 1660mm, and wheelbase of 2610mm. 

The Tiggo 4 hybrid is $6000 dearer than its base petrol-only Tiggo 4 counterpart, which is priced at $23,990 driveaway. 

Chery has not yet revealed the equipment specification of the hybrid model, but we expect it to be very similar — if not identical — to the combustion-engined Tiggo 4. 

Chasing Cars anticipates the Tiggo 4 HEV will use the same series parallel hybrid powertrain as the visually identical ‘Tiggo Cross Hybrid’ marketed in Malaysia. 

It features a naturally aspirated 70kW/120Nm 1.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine and three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission, which encases a 150kW/310Nm electric motor. The system uses a 1.8kWh battery and exclusively powers the front wheels. 

Chery Australia claims a combined fuel economy of 5.4L/100km (NEDC), and driving range of nearly 1000km (NEDC) for the new Tiggo 4 hybrid – two identical claims to those made for the Malaysian model. 

For reference, the Toyota Corolla Cross achieves 4.3L/100km in the same cycle, and the MG ZS hybrid 4.7L/100km.

As is the Tiggo 4 on sale now, two trims will be available at launch of the Hybrid. The Urban grade starts from $29,990 driveaway and range topping Ultimate, priced from $34,990 driveaway. 

Australian market specifics will undoubtedly be revealed soon, as the Tiggo 4 hybrid is scheduled to launch in July this year.