Forget Bugatti. The Chery Tiggo 4 is a car that the author of this column did not want to return.
Forget Bugatti. Mike Rutherford is seriously impressed with Chery’s Tiggo 4.
Long before the public was introduced to the politically incorrect 8-liter Dodge Viper, the author was invited by Chrysler Corp. to drive a rough pre-production version down Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Then, on international racing circuits and test tracks, he tried everything from a Tyrrell Formula 1 car to a world record Bugatti, the latter exceeding 320 km/h. Back home, in a more modest way, he bought — and still keeps in his collection — what was once the flagship Mercedes, a model that requires a fortune to maintain taxes, insurance, fuel, maintenance and repairs.
He says all this to show that he has already driven and understands a little about these and countless other flashy, fast or absurdly expensive cars. But now, older and wiser, he has managed to free himself from his obsession with vehicles that attract attention, are fast and absurdly expensive.
On the streets in the city center where you live, the speed limit is 30 km/h, and on adjacent expressways, with a limit of 50 km/h, it makes no sense to use a car designed and built for enthusiastic drivers. Economical models, with good cost-benefit and that work well in everyday life, are more appropriate. Sad but true.
Currently, the Rutherford family needs a second new car, affordable and suitable for their needs, especially for traveling on local roads, where the average speed is usually just 19 km/h.
It has already tested several mid-sized SUVs, around 4.5 meters long, equipped with state-of-the-art safety systems and small luxuries, such as good quality front and rear cameras and heated seats and steering wheel. You are open to buying from both traditional and modern brands based in Asia, Europe or North America. Diesel, electric, hybrid, CNG and gasoline engines are being considered. Short warranties and roadside assistance are not a priority.
So far, so good. But one big stumbling block is that, although most of the models on the provisional shopping list are proving reasonably rewarding to drive, they tend to cost well over £30,000 and sometimes closer to £40,000.
Imagine the surprise when testing a new 1.5-liter super-hybrid SUV, curiously elegant, generously equipped and surprisingly well built, with great finishing. The vehicle also behaved very well on short journeys. But when engaging ECO mode and increasing energy recovery to maximum, the on-board computer repeatedly indicated consumption well above 60 mpg or, occasionally, above 70 mpg.
I was so impressed with this practical and better-than-expected everyday car that I was reluctant to return it. Unfortunately, I had to. But I’m considering buying it again.
Like this? Because it’s unbelievably cheap – not cheap – costing £19,995 for the basic but still well-equipped version, or £21,995 for the top-of-the-range version, packed with all the essential and luxurious features any sensible driver needs. Seven years of warranty and roadside assistance are the icing on the cake. I’m talking about the most cost-effective, cutting-edge technology car I’ve seen and driven in years, if not decades. Your name? Chery Tiggo 4.
