- Next new brand for NZ will launch with sub-$25k SUV.
- Tiggo 4 comes first, to be followed by Tiggo 7 & Tiggo 8.
- Chery is the parent brand of Omoda & Jaecoo.
Chinese brand Chery has confirmed pricing and specification for its Tiggo 4 compact-SUV, which will go on sale in New Zealand in July in two versions: Urban and Ultimate.
The Urban will be $24,990 (plus on-road costs), making it one of the cheapest new vehicles on sale. Not quite the cheapest - not while the previous-generation MG3 hatch is still on runout at $19,990, the 3rd-gen Suzuki Swift GL is $23,990 and the Kia Picanto GT Line is $24,490.
Cheapest new SUV, then? Not if you count the $22,200 Suzuki Ignis as an SUV (both Suzuki NZ and NZTA sales data do), although that price is for a manual; the automatic starts at the same $24,990 as the Chery.
The Tiggo 4 is larger and more generously equipped than any of the above. The entry Urban has a 108kW/210Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine and comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED lights front and rear, dual 10.25-inch screens inside with wireless phone projection, voice assistant, 7 airbags, reversing camera and tyre pressure monitoring system.
The $29,990 Ultimate has the same powertrain but adds 18in wheels, wireless phone charger, 360-degree camera, upgraded upholstery with heated front seats, power sunroof, ambient lighting, power-fold mirrors and remote opening/closing for the windows.
Chery has stated it will launch with a national network of 10 dealerships. Following the budget Tiggo 4 will be larger Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 models featuring Super Hybrid technology.