Chery launches the 2025 Tiggo Cross - just RM89k for the 1.5 Turbo, RM99k for the Hybrid

Chery Malaysia has officially launched the compact SUV, the Tiggo Cross, which was first seen in its hybrid form—the 1.5 Chery Super Hybrid (CSH)—at the Malaysia Autoshow 2025. This electrified variant, priced at just RM99,800, emerges as the most affordable hybrid model ever to be sold in Malaysia, and will sit along the less expensive variant powered by a more conventional 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, priced at RM88,800.

Both versions of the Tiggo Cross will be locally assembled (CKD) at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah, which also produces other Chery models such as the Omoda 5, Omoda E5, Tiggo 7 Pro, and Tiggo 8 Pro, a strategic move should help keep pricing competitive.

With a starting price below RM100,000 for both variants, and the HEV coming in well under the RM111,900, which was where the previous least-expensive hybrid vehicle in Malaysia, the Honda City e:HEV, is priced.

Essentially, the Tiggo Cross is a renamed, rebranded and refreshed version of the Tiggo 4, placing it squarely in the compact SUV segment sandwiched between the A and B categories. It’s aimed directly at rivals like the Perodua Ativa, and Honda WR-V, though its dimensions take it closer to the footprint of a Proton X50 with dimensions measuring 4,318 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width, 1,670 mm in height, and a 2,610 mm wheelbase.

The Tiggo Cross arrives with a facelifted design that first made its debut in 2024, featuring a larger, more aggressive front end grille, slimmer headlights, a new full-width taillight design, and a completely revamped interior. Compared to the earlier model previewed in 2022, this latest iteration looks significantly more refined.

Visual differences between the two variants are minimal. The turbo version rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and carries ‘TIGGO CROSS’ badging at the rear. The hybrid variant uses 17-inch wheels and is labeled simply as ‘TIGGO HYBRID’.

Under the bonnet, the 1.5 turbo variant packs a 147 PS/210 Nm four-cylinder engine petrol mill mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), offering a claimed average fuel consumption of 6.3L/100 km and accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 10.3 seconds (when in Sport mode).

The hybrid variant, meanwhile, uses the same engine minus the turbocharger. This drops the internal combustion engine’s output to a mere 96 PS and 120 Nm, but is supplemented by two electric motors housed within the Direct Hybrid Transmission (DHT150). These motors alone generate a system output of 204 PS and 310 Nm delivered to the front wheels, fed by a 1.8-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. That’s more power and torque than the uprated e:HEV system Honda deploys in the Civic and CR-V!

On a full tank (51-litres on both variants), the Tiggo Cross hybrid offers up to 1,000 km of driving range and a fuel economy of 5.4L/100 km, with a quicker 0–100 km/h time of 8.9 seconds despite weighing 97 kg more than the turbo version.

Practicality and boot space varies slightly, with the hybrid's cargo capacity reduced to  350 litres (due to the battery beneath the floor) compared to the more commodious 380 litres for the turbo.

In terms of driving modes, the turbo model offers Eco, Normal, and Sport, while the hybrid offers Eco and Sport only.

Inside, once again, very little visually separates both variants. The only obvious difference being the steering wheel design. Both variants are similarly packed with features, including full LED automatic lighting, automatic wipers, faux leather upholstery, soft-touch dashboard, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, 15W wireless charger, a powered driver’s seat, two 10.25-inch displays with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 540-degree camera system, tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and a six-speaker sound system.

On the safety front, the turbo variant comes with six airbags and an ADAS suite that includes adaptive cruise control, AEB, lane departure prevention, and more. The hybrid goes a step further, adding a seventh airbag, driver lumbar support, and a more advanced ADAS package featuring features like traffic jam assist, multi-collision braking, and rear cross-traffic braking.

For the aftersales package Chery comes to the arena with a strong offering with a 7 year vehicle warranty (or 150,000km, whichever comes first). However, in addition to this, the HEV variant will also come with an 8-year (or 160,000km) warranty on the battery power pack, power motor, and hybrid control unit. The Tiggo Cross also gets 7-years of free towing service.

The Tiggo Cross looks ready to shake up the budget SUV and hybrid segments in Malaysia, offering bold design, strong features, and competitive pricing.

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