New Chery Tiggo proves reliability

It’s even more significant when that vehicle originates from a part of the world relatively new on the global automotive market and whose build quality has been questioned by many. Chinese vehicles are certainly struggling to impact the SA scene, and quality and reliability have been uppermost in the public’s mind.

Chery SA has certainly attempted to allay such doubts by demonstrating their offerings are worthy of consideration by any buyer. In 2008, five of their entry level QQ3s, three 1.1 litre and two 800cc, were driven flat out for 48 hours at the Gerotek test facility, setting a new record for the class. Then it was the ascent of the infamous Sani Pass with three 2.0 litre Tiggos. Despite ice and snow, the front wheel drive SUVs reached the 2 876m summit without problems.

Both those challenges went a long way to proving the product’s ability and reliability and last week Chery SA decided once again to demonstrate their vehicles would face a further challenge: this time it was eight of the latest 1.6 VVT litre Tiggos, several driven by motoring journalists, that would attempt to traverse 12 mountain passes in eight hours.

The new Chery Tiggo. Picture: Supplied

The new 1.6 VVT boasts a good specification level and offers features such as leather trimmed seats, Bluetooth, steering wheel satellite audio controls, electric windows all round, rear park distance assistance, hill start assist, power steering, electrically adjustable door mirrors, 60/40 rear seat backrest split, audio system, central locking with remote keyless entry, 17-inch alloy wheels and more. On the safety side the Tiggo is fitted with ESP, ABS with EBD, dual airbags and ISOFIX fittings for child seats.

Our route took us from the Nelspruit-Kruger Airport on a 350km drive through the magnificent Mpumalanga countryside. Over the course of the day, we would traverse five gravel and seven tarred passes, the latter providing a showcase of some of the best scenery the province has to offer, the former set to seriously challenge the Tiggo’s durability, build quality and off-road ability.

On a few of the long climbs on the tarred passes it was necessary to make extensive use of the five-speed gearbox in order to ensure the four cylinder 1598cc petrol engine with VVT stayed in the power band where it can deliver the claimed 93kW and 160Nm. On the gravel stages, I was often down to second and sometimes first gear – this is not a reflection of the Tiggo’s performance but a statement on just how rough and steep the roads were.

Heavy rains and a constant flow of logging trucks had taken their toll on these roads, leaving serious ruts and wash-aways, then just for good measure, add the presence of large cross track contour humps and you will get some idea of why this drive carried the title of challenge.

On many an occasion I had doubts as to the organiser’s sanity in choosing roads in such poor condition and the Tiggo’s ability to get me through. Well, this doubting Thomas was very pleasantly surprised and impressed by the time I reached the final stop in White River.

The new Chery Tiggo. Picture: Supplied

Sure, I had to use caution on many of the sections, but no more than I would have done with a full 4×4 vehicle. The engine and transmission performance was very good, but it was the suspension that stole the show – not once did it bottom out and it provided an unbelievably smooth ride both on- and off-road.

So there it was, 12 passes covered in less than eight hours and, after a good night’s rest, it was a drive to the airport in the same vehicle, the mud and dust the only indication of what the vehicle had suffered the previous day. For all the maltreatment the roads had inflicted, the Tiggo felt and rode just as it had 20 hours before; there were no rattles and there had been no intake of dust to the interior.

Inevitably the question was asked: how the 1.6 engine would cope on the Reef – probably just as well if not better than it did in Mpumalanga. With Johannesburg at an altitude of 1 753m, many of the passes on the route topped out at over 1 600m and two topping 2 100m, so that should answer that question.

The new Chery Tiggo. Picture: Supplied

Further demonstration of Chery SA’s confidence in the new 1.6 VVT Tiggo is its three-year/75,000km service plan, factory backed five-year/120,000km warranty and roadside assistance, all included in the R229 000 price tag.