First Impressions: Chery Tiggo Cross (Hybrid up, Turbo back) - Are they any good?

KUALA LUMPUR: They say first impressions matter. Well, here’s ours on the brand-new Chery Tiggo Cross—and spoiler alert: it’s not just another compact SUV.

Also Read: 2025 Chery Tiggo Cross launched in Malaysia – Full Specs, ADAS features, RM89k–RM100k price

Day 1: Hybrid, KL → Terengganu (with a fuel challenge twist)

Walking up to It

You pull up to the carpark and see it—Chery Tiggo Cross in all its modest glory. From the outside, it’s sleek but not show-offy. The front grille stretches horizontally, with tasteful chrome touches.

The LED headlights are sharp, but not screaming for attention. Side profile? Clean lines and well-proportioned body—no awkward bulges. Overall, it looks modern, suits the SUV crowd, but still stands out among the sea of crossover sameness.

While the front bears a close resemblance to the Tiggo 7 Pro, the rear design confidently sets this compact SUV apart as something unique. To sum it up, it has an aggresive looking derier with a softer looking front end in our opinion.

Open the door and step aboard. The layout is immediately inviting—no clutter, just clean surfaces, sensible wrap-around dash layout. The first thing you notice are those two glorious 10.25-inch screens: digital instrument cluster right in front of your eyes, and infotainment smack in the centre.

Both bright, clear, tasteful bezels. Tech highlight? Wireless charging pad (15 W) is provided—but tucked underneath the centre console a little too deep, a bit of an awkward reach. Functional, but could be better.

Materials feel premium—there’s plenty of soft-touch where your hands naturally go. Hard plastics are present, but cleverly tucked where you don’t touch much—an interior that punches above its price.

Front seats are properly sporty in design, with bolsters that hint at road-trip comfort; backseat is more “average everyday car”—fine, but not spectacular.

Features that feel good

Under the infotainment screen are physical buttons for AC, thank goodness. No endless fiddling through menus in traffic—nice, simple, satisfying.

Controls for dual-zone climate control are responsive and easy to use. Other creature comforts? You get a powered driver’s seat, so adjusting into your perfect position is effortless.

A 540-degree surround-view camera helps in tight spots, and the six-speaker sound system feels balanced, warming enough without being all gaudy treble.

Hitting the road

Turn the key (or pressing the start button in this case) and—it’s silent. We’re in the hybrid model, so it starts with electric drive. Smooth. No fuss.

When merge lanes pop up, the petrol kicks in so seamlessly you barely notice. The under-hood combo is a petrol engine plus electric motor, paired to an e-CVT.

Chery hasn’t released exact power specs yet, but expectations are around a 1.5L petrol engine combined with an electric motor, producing a total output of approx. 204PS and 310Nm. Not earth-shattering, but well-balanced.

Now, it’s not just a test drive—it’s a fuel challenge. We reset fuel at the start and try to coast in EV mode, modulate throttle, and keep our speed sensible. Hit the highway, and the cabin remains impressively quiet—wind and tire noise are minimal.

The motor-engine handoff is buttery. By the time you roll into Terengganu (about 400 km if you cheekily count detours), the fuel-economy reading is legit impressive—real-world numbers that make you raise an eyebrow.

Suspension is tuned softly, absorbing the long highway stretches and low-speed undulations well. There’s a hint of body roll but nothing that betrays its composure.

Steering feedback is light enough for city parking, firmer at higher speeds—balanced that makes long hours behind the wheel less tiring. It's not the most connected to the road feel steering wheel, but hey, it's not a sports SUV, so i can't see many people complaining about this. 

Overall first Impressions: Hybrid

• Pro: Whisper-quiet cabin, strong real-world fuel economy, modern interior, tech-rich but not gimmicky.

• Con: Wireless charger placement could be better; backseat isn’t spectacular; some infotainment lag when flicking between screens.

Day 2: Turbo, Terengganu → KL

Starting fresh

Day two, mid-morning, fresh coffee aroma lingering in your cup, and you swap into the Turbo variant for the drive home. Immediately you notice the subtle engine Note—firmer, more purposeful than the hybrid's hush.

Under the hood sits a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, paired with a six speed Dual Clutch Transmission. Power output? Around 147 hp and torque in the 220 Nm range—it feels direct, responsive, smooth,and for the first time in a Chery model, it feels like all of it is working in cohesion with each other smoothly.

Drive feel—Peppier and familiar

Throttle response is more aggressive. In urban driving, there’s a nice mid-range surge, making it feel lively without being jumpy. On the highway, overtaking lorries feels confident and drama-free. The 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox shifts quickly and crisply, giving it a more direct feel compared to a CVT.

NVH levels remain decent—engine noise is noticeable when pushed hard, but it’s the kind of purposeful growl that feels reassuring rather than annoying.

Suspension remains on the softer side, tuned for comfort. The steering’s character doesn’t switch drastically from the hybrid—light around town, it firms up enough as speeds rise. Overall, you feel more “in control” without discomfort—a familiar, easy-going drive.

Tech & Interior carryover

Interior experience is largely identical. Screens, materials, soft-touch bits—all present and correct. Front seats still feel snug and supportive. Wireless charger still awkward, but those physical AC switches just work beautifully again, making it easy to quickly change AC parameters.

Tech suites (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, camera, speakers) remain same-and-strong, but once or twice we found it hard to connect. It's pretty much the same for all wireless ACP/AA systems, which is why we always prefer wired.

Overall First Impressions: Turbo

• Pro: Energetic, intuitive drive; familiar petrol feel; responsive throttle; relaxing long-haul comfort.

• Con: Not as efficient as the hybrid, but still reasonable; no EV mode perks. 

Putting It All Together: Which one’s for you?

Here’s how we'd break it down:

 

Interior: Both variants share a cabin that feels more up-market than its segment suggests—soft-touch surfaces, sleek dual 10.25″ screens, useful physical buttons, powered seats, camera systems. The sporty front seat look is just right; rear is comfy but not jaw-dropping. Materials feel quality; plastics are discreet.

Tech: Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 540° camera, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging (albeit buried), six-speaker stereo—more than most in this price range offer. Physical buttons for AC is a major win.

Build & Feel: Door-close sounds, panel fit, and material choices give a reassuring vibe—Chery is clearly aiming upmarket without the price tag. Controls feel solid; cabin finishes reflect thoughtfulness.

Driving Dynamics: Hybrid is about calm, smooth, and efficient—perfect for long highway hauls where sipping fuel is key. Turbo is lively and more engaging—you get enough juice for confident overtakes and easy weekday driving. Suspension is balanced across both, leaning into comfort over sporty stiffness, but remains capable in gentle cornering.

To sum it up

If you're the type who wants one car for everything—the Tiggo Cross delivers a balanced package. You're getting styling that isn't try-hard, tech that helps with everyday life/driving, materials that don’t make you cringe, and two distinct powertrain experiences that let you choose your vibe: go Zen and efficient with hybrid, or lively and direct with turbo.

In simple terms:

• Want to save on fuel, love that tech-rich, quiet cabin vibe, and appreciate an eco-friendly edge? Go Hybrid.

• Prefer your SUV with pep, like the feel of a familiar petrol punch, and want simplicity without sleepy softness? Go Turbo.

Either way, the Tiggo Cross isn’t just a “new SUV” — it’s a contender. Especially in a market where competition is hot and offerings are tall. The prices for the Chery Tiggo Cross feel right and this could very well be the crossover that tips some buyers their way.

• Hybrid — quiet, efficient, techy, great for long-distance cruising.

• Turbo — zippier, more direct, comfortable, friendly to drive.

• Interior—modern, premium-feeling, and genuinely nice to spend time in.

• Is it worth considering? Absolutely.

Also Read: Chery Malaysia supports conservation of endangered turtle species