Test drive Chery Tiggo 2
Mini-crossover Chery Tiggo 2 stands out with its designer clothes against the background of other available Chinese models. Finding out if such flashy packaging is not deceiving
Right on the course, Innopolis is an unusual town recently built from scratch in Tatarstan: four stylish and original quarters designed by a Singaporean architect. As the synthesized name indicates, this is the abode of innovation specialists, which is what the local university is doing. The dream of Soviet science fiction writers: a bright future and an IT oasis where young families of scientists enjoy life. Suitable location for photographing Chery Tiggo 2.
Stylish and original, addressed to young people, the mini-crossover immediately attracts attention. Every curious glance is a plus in the karma of chief designer James Hope, who came to Chery from GM. The Tiggo 2 was based on the run-of-the-mill Very hatchback, but go ahead and recognize it. For the look of the crossover, Hope seems to have changed some of the designer's brightness and contrast settings to the maximum.
A special visual lure is the body kit with a hint of off-roading. And the geometric data are encouraging: the ground clearance is increased to 186 mm, the entry and exit angles are 24 and 32 degrees. But the Tiggo 2 has front-wheel drive, and the full drive is not even planned, since it requires serious rework, inherited from the hatchback design. Thrusting to the bank of the Volga, the crossover could not move confidently even on shallow sand.
But let's praise the energy-intensive suspension, which is reinforced for our market. Front - MacPherson, rear - semi-dependent. The crossover copes well with both typical bumps on hard surfaces and more significant ones outside.
Impressions from handling are not so bright. The steering gear with the hydraulic booster is relaxed, during maneuvers, search correction is sometimes necessary, and the raised center of gravity and loyal suspension settings reverberate with the buildup and roll. The brakes of all wheels are disc, the car slows down reliably, but the pedal requires habit.
But the company, first of all, attracts to the Tiggo 2 not by the drive, but by the equipment. Under the hood is a 1,5 liter petrol engine (106 hp), which is combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Basic equipment with manual gearbox includes ABS + EBD, front airbags, electric mirrors, power windows, an onboard computer, two speakers, ISOFIX and 15-inch steel wheels. This lean version was added recently to bring the starting price down to $ 8.
The next-level Comfort trim level with manual gearbox for $ 10 offers LED running lights, heated mirrors, two-stage seat heating, air conditioning and 300-inch alloy wheels. The $ 16 MTX Luxury adds rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, an 10-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth and Cloudrive. Another $ 700 will be asked for the automatic transmission.
Preparation for Russian conditions, in addition to strengthening the suspension, includes adaptation for 92nd gasoline, a "cold" package, round-the-clock assistance service on the road and a guarantee for five years or 150 thousand kilometers. But there is no engine protection, rear wheel arch liners too, and there is a stowaway in the trunk. The menu is not translated into Russian, and there is no ERA-GLONASS system either, since Tiggo 2 managed to be certified before its mandatory installation.
The interior looks great. Colored inserts, neat "European-quality repair", unexpectedly solid performance. The Chinese do not know the formula "inside more than outside", there is not much space, but four adults of average build are not offended. The trunk, narrowed by the arches, holds 420 liters.
The highlight of the top equipment program is the proprietary Cloudrive feature. Recall that it allows you to transfer data from a smartphone to a multimedia system and duplicate its screen on the central touchscreen. Music, apps, navigation - everything is at your fingertips.
While you are settling into the driver's seat, the positive attitude somehow fades. The steering column is not adjustable for reach. The chair cannot be lowered, and a person with a height of 175 cm sits almost point-blank with the top of his head to the ceiling. There is no center armrest. The indicators on the air conditioner knobs are very small. Devices with a reverse movement of the tachometer needle and broken scales are not so hot. The Eco and Sport mode button is somewhere near the left knee. The forward view is blocked by the A-pillars and the salon mirror.
And on the move, the sound of the engine is annoying, the air conditioner hiss, those sitting in the second row hear the tires. In addition, vibration waves run through the body and controls. And after the first kilometers, we have to admit with chagrin that the Chinese did not bother with the brightness settings of the power unit, and its character does not correspond to the appearance of the crossover.
The motor, whose history comes from the Bonus A13 model of ten years ago, has already gone through several upgrades. Alas, in elasticity it has not acquired: the return on rpm below average is frankly dull. The automatic transmission comes from the old French DP0 / AL4 and works accordingly: it is thoughtful and confused. It is difficult to maintain a dynamic style, the crossover takes only insipid calm. The transition to Sport - and the other extreme: the tachometer needle now and then hovers near the red zone, and the engine howls, as if asking for mercy.
We also managed to drive a car with a manual gearbox. That is how it is better! Yes, the weak-willed motor on the "bottom" forces you to get under way with a gas filling and part with downshifts. But it is easier to predict driving in the stream and overtaking. But to the above-mentioned sandy shore, we went to the version with automatic transmission. The L mode did not help to compensate for the lack of traction, in addition, the Chinese Giti tires do not have much grip on the ground. If the version with a manual transmission, perhaps, would have advanced further. And even with the manual transmission, it is obviously more economical: the onboard computer reported an average consumption of 6,4 l / 100 km against the "automatic" 8,2 liters.
Why didn't the price list be adapted to Russian realities? But because Tiggo 2 is supplied here from China. Localization of the model, according to representatives, is still unprofitable due to small volumes. At the same time, the main rivals are Lada XRAY with engines of 1,6 liters (106-114 hp) and 1,8 liters (123 hp), MKP5 or RKP5 for $ 7 - $ 400 and Renault Sandero Stepway with motors 10 l (300-1,6 hp), MKP82 or AKP113 for an amount from 5 to 4 dollars.
The Chinese plan to sell our Tiggo 2 with a circulation of about 3 a year. Is it too optimistic? In reality, the model will at least draw attention to the Chery brand itself. But in the dealership, the client will be surprised that the more spacious Tiggo 000 with 3-horsepower 126 liters and in the top-grade Luxury trim is only $ 1,6 more expensive than the most equipped Tiggo 2. So in the learned Innopolis, the whole matter was limited to curious glances without questioning.
| A type | Crossover | Crossover |
| dimensions (length / width / height), mm | 4200/1760/1570 | 4200/1760/1570 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2555 | 2555 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1290 | 1320 |
| engine's type | Petrol, R4 | Petrol, R4 |
| Working volume, cubic meters cm | 1497 | 1497 |
| Power, hp with. at rpm | 106 at 6000 | 106 at 6000 |
| Max. cool. moment, Nm at rpm | 135 at 2750 | 135 at 2750 |
| Transmission, drive | 5-st. MCP, front | 4-st. Automatic transmission, front |
| Acceleration to 100 km / h, from | 14 | 16 |
| Fuel consumption (horizontal / highway / mixed), l | 9,4/6,2/7,4 | 10,4/6,7/8 |
| Price from, USD | 8 700 | 11 400 |
