Updated Chery Tiggo 4 previews turbocharged 1.5-litre hybrid, with Australian launch timing still tentative

Turbo hybrid previews in China, Australian timing unconfirmed

A brief preview drive in China has given the first close look at an updated Chery Tiggo 4 with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain. CarExpert's Alborz Fallah, in a quick drive published by PerthNow and syndicated to 7NEWS, found the turbo hybrid has plenty of punch and makes a positive first impression, but noted this was a short outing on a wet course in Wuhu that was not laid out for handling testing. ¹⁴⁵

The Australian position remains tentative. Chery's Australian product representative told CarExpert that the updated naturally aspirated hybrid will arrive in Australia first, with the turbo hybrid planned to follow after Australian tuning work, potentially in the second half of 2027. CarExpert's report states that timing is still tentative, and local pricing and specifications for the turbo hybrid have not been announced. ¹⁴

New Zealand's Auto Trader, which drove the car in the same Wuhu program, similarly reports that pricing and timing for the facelift in its market have not been confirmed. The publication notes Chery plans to retune the suspension and driver-assist systems for drivers in Australia and New Zealand, with a Chery spokesperson saying a tune for Australia will follow later in 2027 with local test driving and suspension development, and that Australia is leading that work. ⁵

Chinese outlet Sohu adds a broader timing claim, reporting the facelifted Tiggo 4 is due to land in the Australian market within the coming months, with an adjusted exterior including a new front bumper and wheels, and upgraded interior screens and climate controls. Sohu does not specify whether that timing refers to the updated naturally aspirated hybrid, the turbo hybrid or both, and the outlet's report sits alongside CarExpert's account that the turbo variant's local arrival is only potentially in the second half of 2027. ⁶

Powertrain: a turbo joins the hybrid, shared with the Jaecoo J5

The updated hybrid shares its powertrain with its platform sibling, the Jaecoo J5. Auto Trader reports the 1.5-litre engine is now turbocharged, lifting combined output to 165kW, with Chery claiming 0-100km/h in just under eight seconds and fuel use unchanged at 5.4L/100km. Drive remains front-wheel only. ⁵

Chinese outlet Sohu adds detail consistent with those figures, reporting the turbo hybrid system combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine rated at 105kW and 215Nm with a 150kW/310Nm single electric motor, for claimed combined outputs of 165kW and 295Nm. Sohu says the system is sourced from the same-platform Jaecoo J5 hybrid and that official fuel consumption is filed at 5.4L/100km, matching the current non-turbo hybrid. ⁶

The current Australian-market Tiggo 4 Hybrid, launched in July 2025, pairs a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine making 71kW and 120Nm with a 150kW/310Nm electric motor fed by a 1.8kWh lithium-ion battery, driving the front wheels through a single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission. Chery does not publish a combined system output figure for that variant, and claims 5.4L/100km combined. CarExpert's long-term introduction also notes the battery carries an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty from first registration. ⁸³²

CarExpert notes a distinction that matters for buyers: the petrol-only Tiggo 4 already uses a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine making 108kW and 210Nm; it is the existing hybrid that does without the turbo. Neither Chery's claimed 5.4L/100km figure for the existing hybrid nor the 7.4L/100km claim for current petrol models applies to the turbo hybrid, and CarExpert's brief outing did not establish its real-world efficiency. ¹⁴⁵

Local tuning for Australia, and driver-assist calibration admitted as too aggressive

A Chery spokesperson told journalists at the Wuhu drive, as reported by Auto Trader, that Chinese buyers prefer a comfortable ride, while drivers in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Europe want something sportier, with Australia leading the suspension tuning work. The spokesperson also said Chery is refining the driver-assist systems and admitted the current calibration is too aggressive. ⁵

Auto Trader's own review of the current Tiggo 4 Hybrid Ultimate found it brisk around town and frugal, averaging in the mid-fives, but softly sprung with light steering and plenty of body roll, and with lane-keeping that intervened too much at motorway speeds. CarExpert's long-term first impressions of the same model similarly flagged steering lacking feedback and slow to self-centre, and a lane-keeping system that occasionally veers toward driver-side lane markings then tugs to correct. ⁵⁸

Both outlets stress the preview car is not identical to what Australian buyers will receive. CarExpert notes Chery's planned local tuning means the China-drive car is an early but non-identical indication of the local product, and that a proper Australian drive is still needed to assess ride comfort, highway behaviour, driver-assistance functions and fuel consumption. ¹⁴

Design and cabin changes

The most obvious exterior change is a new front grille, which CarExpert describes as working well with the flanking headlights. Auto Trader reports this is the Tiggo 4's second styling update after an earlier refresh added a full-width LED light bar across the tailgate, with minor interior changes mostly to the dashboard. Sohu adds that the updated car gains a sporty front bumper, new wheels, twin 12.3-inch curved screens replacing the Australian-market 10.25-inch units, and a redesigned climate-control panel with temperature readouts moved into the central screen. ¹⁵⁶

Inside, CarExpert notes Chery has reduced the amount of piano-black trim on the centre console following owner complaints about smudges and scratches, a change it welcomes. The publication also praises the Tiggo 4's generous cabin space and presentation, echoing its long-term review's assessment of a surprisingly spacious rear bench and expansive glasshouse. ¹⁴⁸

Pricing, safety ratings and what Australian buyers pay today

Australian pricing for the turbo hybrid has not been announced. For context, CarExpert lists the current drive-away range at $23,990 for the Tiggo 4 Urban, $26,990 for the Ultimate, $29,990 for the Hybrid Urban and $32,990 for the Hybrid Ultimate, and notes the current hybrid commands a $6000 premium over the equivalent petrol-only model. Chery Australia's own launch announcement priced the hybrid from $29,990 drive-away for the Urban and $34,990 drive-away for the Ultimate. ¹⁸²

October offers narrow the gap slightly: eligible buyers can get $2000 off the current Tiggo 4 Hybrid while a $1500 fuel-card offer on the petrol version can be taken as a price reduction, leaving a $5500 difference subject to purchase and delivery by 31 October. Chery Australia's website confirms the $2000 cashback applies to Tiggo 4 Hybrid Urban and Ultimate vehicles bought and delivered from participating dealers between 1 and 31 October 2026 while stocks last, excluding fleet, government, rental, business and not-for-profit purchases, and not combinable with the October 0.70 per cent finance offer. ¹³

Safety ratings are a point for buyers of the current hybrid to note. CarExpert's long-term review records that petrol-powered Tiggo 4 variants were awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating when first released in 2024, but that this does not include the hybrid variants, even though they share the same level of equipment. ⁸

All current Tiggo 4 variants are covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with capped-price servicing every 12 months or 15,000km averaging $359 a year, according to CarExpert's long-term review. Rivals identified by both CarExpert and Auto Trader include the GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS hybrids. ¹⁵⁸

Sales momentum, and a recent recall to keep in view

The Tiggo 4 has been a strong seller for Chery in both markets. CarExpert's showroom data, based on VFACTS, records 20,149 Australian sales in 2025 and 17,806 year to date in 2026, after the model became Australia's most popular small SUV in 2025 and so far in 2026. Auto Trader reports it is Chery's best-seller in New Zealand with 1,038 registrations this year, with hybrids outselling the petrol version every month since May, and that it was named Value Car of the Year in the 2025 NZ Autocar Car of the Year awards. ⁷⁸⁵

One recent item for prospective hybrid buyers: CarExpert reports almost 2000 examples of the hybrid-powered Tiggo 4 have been recalled in Australia due to an issue with their emissions system. That recall concerns the current naturally aspirated hybrid rather than the previewed turbo variant, and CarExpert's showroom page does not detail the remedy. ⁷

CarExpert's verdict on the preview is that the updated Tiggo 4 looks better, the cabin remains roomy and the turbo hybrid has no shortage of performance on a brief test, but the publication would still start with the entry-level petrol variant provided Chery keeps it close to today's $23,990 drive-away price for that model. The publication argues affordability matters more to it than speed in this class, and adds the turbo hybrid would need a smaller price premium or a bigger real-world efficiency gain to make a stronger case. ¹⁴