Going pro means a lot of things. But for Chery, the Tiggo range isn’t a stranger to the Pro moniker.
Case in point: the Tiggo 7 Pro that was released earlier this year. This car is definitely one of the cars that have the best value for the money. Its sheer size alone doesn’t match its price, more so considering the multitude of features it carries inside the car.
Now, Chery Philippines is extending the ‘Pro’ designation to the smallest vehicle in the range, the Tiggo 2. Can we expect the same value on the all-new 2022 Chery Tiggo 2 Pro? I drove one for a week to find out.
Exterior
Remember the Tiggo 7 Pro I mentioned earlier? The Tiggo 2 Pro adopted the same intricately designed grille, making the two Tiggo fascias look almost identical. If not for the split headlight design, the two would be hard to differentiate – though, I must say that the strip LED DRLs up top and low halogen headlight placement made the smaller crossover look eerily similar to a popular Korean vehicle.
That said, the Tiggo 2 Pro’s side profile and rear are taken from the non-Pro Tiggo 2, save for the new piano black trim that links the two C-shaped LED taillamps. The two-tone finish of the wheels looks good, plus the presence of disc brakes on all fours is surprising at this price point.
Interior
In contrast to the literal facelift and new deviations on the outside, the Tiggo 2 Pro’s cabin benefits from a major revamp. The dashboard is more driver-centric this time, while the plastic-riddled cabin gets soft-touch materials on the door panels and the chunky leather D-shaped tiller. The various textures on the dashboard polymers are definitely welcome, giving you the illusion that you’re driving a pricer car. Although, I must reserve my praise on the heft of piano blacks present as they don’t typically age well.
As for the seats, it’s a combination of leather and fabric. Chery has added a seat height adjuster this time around, which was a welcome feature given the lack of telescopic steering wheel adjustment. The instrument is more unified looking as well, with the white-on-black theme with orange accents emanating a clean appeal.
Horizontal space at the front is fair enough for the car’s size, but don’t expect the same at the back. The Tiggo 2 Pro can seat five with a few comprises; much better to keep it at four, average-sized people for a cozier transport.
Cargo space is deep and decent, plus the non-flat lip isn’t a problem as loading height isn’t exactly that high.
Tech & Safety
The Tiggo 2 Pro’s 9-inch infotainment system is a huge selling point for its young target market, and I appreciate the integration of Apple CarPlay this time around. Android users are relegated to a QD link, however.
Chery retained the very convenient cruise control feature, that’s a plus, as are the all-power adjustments, including the power-folding side mirrors. These are great features to have at this price point, along with the reverse sensors and camera with dynamic guidelines.
Dual front airbags, immobilizer, ISOFIX child seat tethers, and three-point seatbelts for all occupants complete the set of safety and security features.
Driving & Handling
The most notable change in the Tiggo 2 Pro’s powertrain was the shift from a conventional 4-speed torque converter to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
That said, the CVT aided in increasing the Tiggo 2 Pro’s cabin refinement because of smoother drives. However, power delivery was stale at mid-range speeds (an expected CVT trait) so overtakes should be done with good measure. The 108hp and 140Nm torque from the naturally aspirated 1.5-liter gasoline engine wasn’t exactly squat, but they weren’t sent very well to the front wheels. The Tiggo 2 Pro’s brakes could also use some help as you need to press harder before getting a good bite.
Beyond these, the Tiggo 2 Pro’s handling was among the things I love about the car. The steering had great feedback and was decisive, which made drives on winding roads feel safe. The suspension’s also as stiff and forgiving as the non-Pro Tiggo 2, giving the crossover a car-like ride.
Fuel Economy
The biggest benefactor with the switch to CVT was theoretically the vehicle’s fuel economy. Good thing that reflected during my real-world tests.
I was able to get 10.6 km/l in the city, in mixed heavy and light traffic situations. On the highway, the Tiggo 2 Pro read 20.4 km/L at an average speed of 90 km/h. Those are impressive numbers and a 2-5 km/l improvement from the 4AT-equipped Tiggo 2.
Verdict
What does it mean to go pro? In sports, it means entering the Big League, which then means more expectations but more talent fee, I suppose. For gadgets, that means getting a lot more features to go with the design upgrade.
The Chery Tiggo 2 Pro hits both for an introductory price of P818,000 – less than P50,000 more than the non-Pro version of the nameplate. It certainly is an upgrade, hitting all my expectations for a top-spec version – a ticket to the Big League doesn’t come with a huge price.
Overall, if you’re looking for a small crossover as your first vehicle, the Tiggo 2 Pro should definitely be on your list. Chery Philippines’ 10-year engine warranty, 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, and 3-year free preventive maintenance service are just a bonus.
