Summary:
Good cheap SUV = does the job!
Faults:
Brake pressure too low when I took delivery, but after 50 kms it dramatically improved and is OK now.
Everything else works.
General Comments:
I just got this car 7 days ago, and have covered about 1000 kms, I have long days on the road most of the week.
The car was primarily bought because of my big dogs, else it would have been a sedan.
It's cheap as chips, has a decent suspension, good ride height and is simple. The A/C works perfectly!
For its price, I can forgive the minor irritant - slightly uncomfortable seats up front and loss of power when shifting from 1st to 2nd. I think it's geared a bit too high for an engine with very low torque.
It is very competent compared to the Japanese sedans and Korean plastic buckets once at speed and is a good ride and has minimal roll at corners. I was very surprised it didn't topple over, must be something to do with the anti-roll bars up front and suspension braces in the front, the rear setup seems pretty conventional and not too stiff, someone in Chery knows a thing or two about real world road conditions.
I hope BMW and Audi can learn something too - sports suspensions are only needed 2% of the life of a normal day to day car!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 3rd August, 2010
19th Oct 2010, 07:28
An update:
It's done 10000 km now, so far nothing has gone wrong. I have been giving it RON 95, although RON 92 works fine.
Engine is much smoother now, and there some decent poke over 3000 rpm. That said, the torque is a bit too low for this SUV. Maybe lower gearing on the first two gears would help. It reaches 50 km/h in first and 100 km/h in second. Considering an SUV must be able to traverse off road terrain, a few cogs should be swapped over.
Comfort is OK, not great, the NVH is pretty high, but I can't seem to think of any other vehicle this versatile in this price range. My dogs are very happy in the back, what more can I ask...