Tiggo 4

The Tiggo 7 non-hybrid and the Tiggo 4 Hybrid, both cost the exact same, thirty thousand Australian dollars.

And amongst these two, the Tiggo 4 Hybrid, is clearly the better alternative.

First and foremost, it has much better overtaking capability, than the non-hybrid Tiggo 7.

Thanks to around 40 percent more power and similar kerb weight.

However, in spite of better performance, the Tiggo 4 hybrid is twice as efficient as the non-hybrid Tiggo 7, in the real-world conditions.

Now that's a clean saving of eight thousand dollars over a usage of five to seven years.

Agreed, that the Tiggo 7 is a longer car than the Tiggo 4 by around eight inches.

Even it's interiors are a little bit of an upgrade over the Tiggo 4's, thanks to a slightly bigger infotainment and instrument cluster screen.

And in case you want Ventilated front seats, you can get them only in the Tiggo 7, but that too, in the top-end, ultimate-variant, which retails for 34 grand.

However, none of it, is enough to justify the lack of Tiggo 7's overtaking capability, compared to the Tiggo 4.

But this is not where the story ends.

In fact it brings us to the question of whether we should even be looking at new cars, if the budget is around thirty grand?

In fact, 

If you a smart guy, who thinks spending more than thirty five thousand dollars on a car is stupid, you are absolutely right. Because today, a Tesla Model 3 Performance, is available for a mouth watering, thirty five grand, in the used car market. But that's not all, a 2 year old, MG4 X-power is also available for the same price. It will be a tad bit slower than the Model 3 Performance in terms of acceleration. But the Tesla, that you will find at this price, will at least be five years old. Plus it will have at least a hundred and fifty thousand kilometers on the odo. While the X Power can be found with just forty thousand kilometers on the clock. Now coming to question of whether any petrol powered alternatives can be found with similar performance in the used car market? Then the answer is no. However, something slightly slower can certainly be found. The german hot-hatches, namely the Audi RS3, Mercedes A Class and the BMW 1 Series, all had their Flagship versions capable of pulling a sub five second sprint to a hundred kph some ten years ago. Now they are all available for less than 20 grand, except for the Audi RS3. But then, the Volkswagen group can be forgiven for it, as their Golf R takes it's place on the roster. Our favourites are the Beemers. The M one thirty five i is available for as low as sixteen thousand dollars, with a delicious inline-six turbo-petrol, mated to the ZF 8-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. To be honest, it doesn't make any sense to shell out an extra twenty grand for the EVs up there. If you want an even better driving experience then you can get the 2 series, with the limited slip differential. It is about eight grand more expensive, but is beyond doubt, the most effervescent alternative among this bunch. If you want something with all wheel drive, you have two choices. The Mercedes A45 AMG or the Golf R. The Golf R has a more liveable, and yet also the more entertaining suspension setup, while the Merc is objectively more capable. If you insist on X Power equalling acceleration, then the option of a stage 1 remap does exist. For example the Golf R with a reliable stage 1 remap from Revo, can crack the ton in four seconds flat. Not bad for a car that is available for seventeen grand right? If you insist on a brand new vehicle in this price range, then the i20 N is your best option. It is painfully slow compared to the used options tho. Plus it is only available with a manual gearbox. If you want an automatic, then the Swift Sport is your best bet. Else, you can stretch your budget to forty-one grand and go for a Polo GTi. Can't really imagine, who in their right minds would go for such slow and expensive front-wheel-drive appliances though. Especially when those entertaining Beemers, are thankfully, still available, for those who know where to find them. 

Tiggo 4 Hybrid Urban - $29,990

Tiggo 4 Hybrid Ultimate - $34,990 - NO VENTILATED SEATS

0-100 - 8.16 sec - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqg1jgn4RJU&t=840s

4330 x 1830 x 1655

2604 mm wheelbase