Cherry Tiggo rEV

[OnMyWay]

This is now my target Chinese vehicle.  I have been researching all the plug-in hybrids, but I am limiting myself to those that have a local dealer, which is only BYD and Chery.  The Chery dealer here is small but full service.  The Clark dealer is sales only.  The nearest big full service dealer is down near San Fernando.

The BYD SL6 is the direct competitor for the Tiggo rEV.  They cost about the same.  From what I have read, Chery quality has improved a lot, and the reviewers say that the rEV is the best one yet here in the Philippines.  They sell a similar one in AU that also gets high marks.

Warranty is excellent.  7 years bumper to bumper.  8 years battery.

I will go to the dealer today to see if it is a good fit for me.  Google tells me that 6'4 and even 6'6 can fit.  I used to be 6'2".  Shrinking now! I'm ready to buy but even if I work a deal, I have hip surgery scheduled for next week, to I probably would not get it until a few weeks from now.  I would love to get one now but not practical.  The Trailblazer now costs me at least p9-10k for a fill up! 

The Tiggo 8 PHEV is the comparable in AU.  The Tiggo 9 is available in AU and other countries, but not PH.  It is next level with 3 electric motors and AWD.

 

[GeoffH]

Cherry has had good reviews in Australia across their range and their compact (ICE) SUV is currently the best selling in it's segment.  The only issues I've consistently heard about are 'annoying over sensitive lane departure warning system' (and that's something Cherry have said they'll adress in an update.

 

IMHO you could do a lot worse.

[Jeff_G]

YOWZA  "The 2025/2026 Chery Tiggo rEV (PHEV) boasts a combined range of over 1,000 km to as high as 1,400 km"

[OnMyWay]

36 minutes ago, Jeff_G said:

YOWZA  "The 2025/2026 Chery Tiggo rEV (PHEV) boasts a combined range of over 1,000 km to as high as 1,400 km"

There was a group of autobloggers that did a loop from QC through Bataan then on to Subic.  I think around 5-6 and they all have videos on You Tube about it.  After 200+ km, they filled up the gas.  The best of them spent 50 pesos to fill up and got 84km per L.  That is 197 mpg!

[OnMyWay]

5 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

I will go to the dealer today to see if it is a good fit for me.  Google tells me that 6'4 and even 6'6 can fit.  I used to be 6'2".  Shrinking now! 

Went to the dealer.  The room for the driver is very similar, if not more, than my Trailblazer.

I'm impressed.  Build and quality seem very good.  So much tech!  This small dealer has only one white one.  I did not talk any details, but he was not feeding me much in the way of discounts or freebies.  I would like to buy here I need a deal similar to what I can get at other dealers.  I have around 20-30 offers from other dealers.

My wife is a bit paranoid about buying in another city and having service / after sale support done here.  Thoughts?

This is in Taglish but easy to understand.  He is an owner and gives a nice overview of the phone app access, which includes a lot of the tech.

 

[Mike J]

10 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

My wife is a bit paranoid about buying in another city and having service / after sale support done here.  Thoughts?

Our situation of is different of course as we live in Moalboal.  We wanted a Suzuki S-presso and the closest dealer(s) were in Cebu City and Dumaguete.   About the same distance except you need to take the roro to get to Dumaguete.  We chose Dumaguete because the drive over is safer and more relaxing.   On a more negative note, over 50% of our milage was going to/from Dumaguete for service.  We also have a multicab van that has been in the shop for several weeks getting rid of road rash and new paint.  So the wife is now using the S-presso as her daily drive and I expect that may continue even when the multicab is back.  The S-presso is still "like new" with less than 2500 km and 24 months old.   Still very happy with it, plenty of room up front, lots of zip, and great fuel economy.  24.1 liter per km on our last Dumaguete trip. 

As for your situation.  I think I would ask myself.  Which is more important to me?  Initial cost saving or long term convenience of a close dealer.  Or buy somewhere else and do local service?  

[Gator]

As the old saying goes “cash talks, bs walks”. When you’re ready to pull the trigger and know exactly what model and options (if any) or upgrades / add-ons you want (like window tint, etc), then talk with the local dealer about ordering in the one you want. Inform him of or show him the  offers you have and see what his reaction is, as well as if he will match or come close to them. I know in the USA I’d have no compunction about buying from dealer A and getting service done by dealer B, service is where they make their money anyhow. But in the Philippines you have to consider loss of face. You might want to seriously consider what @Mike J said about cost saving vs convenience …. and buy local.  

[GeoffH]

1 hour ago, Gator said:

But in the Philippines you have to consider loss of face. You might want to seriously consider what @Mike J said about cost saving vs convenience …. and buy local.  

In my experience with a previous car bought at a different dealer expect; reduced priority for parts and repair slots, push back on warranty claims (you need to take it to the selling dealer sir) and a general sense of being slightly out of place when you're at the dealer.

Our current car was bought at the local dealer and we don't experience any of that.

[hk blues]

I'd also throw in that now is not necessarily the best time to be negotiating hard with EV dealers - a month back it was a buyers market but now, from what I've read here and there, many folks just like you (OMW} are looking seriously at buying an EV.  Delivery times of BYD have gone from a few days to a month apparently.  Of course, waiting a month isn't an issue but it's indicative of the sudden increase in demand for EVs.