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What kind of engine does the TIGGO 3X use?

by thelma•

If you’ve ever stopped to look under the hood of a TIGGO 3X—whether as a curious shopper, a new owner, or someone in the auto parts space—you’ve probably wondered what makes this compact SUV run. As a supplier that’s worked closely with Chery Automotive on TIGGO 3X components for over six years, I’ve spent countless hours on the production floor, collaborating with engineering teams, troubleshooting assembly line kinks, and answering questions from fellow parts specialists and drivers alike. Today, I want to pull back the curtain on one of the most common questions we get: What kind of engine does the TIGGO 3X use? TIGGO 3X

Let’s start with the basics, because not every driver is a gearhead, and that’s okay. The TIGGO 3X is built for everyday life—it’s the kind of car you’ll drive to work, pick up groceries with, take weekend trips to see family, or even use for a student’s first set of wheels. That means its engine isn’t built for speed alone; it’s built for reliability, fuel efficiency, and ease of maintenance—three things that matter most to people who depend on their cars day in and day out.

When Chery launched the first-generation TIGGO 3X back in 2016, they didn’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, they leaned into a proven, in-house developed engine that’s been refined for years. The core powerplant under the hood of early TIGGO 3X models (think 2016 through 2019 model years) is the Acteco SQRE4G15 1.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine. Let’s break that down a little: “1.5-liter” refers to the total volume of air and fuel the engine can move in one full cycle, “inline-four” means four cylinders arranged in a straight line (which balances out vibrations better than other setups and cuts down on wear over time), and “naturally aspirated” means it doesn’t use a turbocharger to force more air into the cylinders—so it’s simpler, less prone to sudden performance drops, and cheaper to fix if something goes wrong.

What makes this engine special isn’t just the specs, though—it’s how it performs in real life. The Acteco SQRE4G15 puts out about 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque, which might not sound like a lot next to high-performance cars, but it’s more than enough for the TIGGO 3X’s size. I’ve seen this engine handle everything from loaded roof racks for a camping trip to stop-and-go traffic in busy cities, and over the years, our team at the supplier hasn’t had to issue many bulk recalls for parts related to this powerplant. That reliability is why it’s been such a staple for Chery, and why it’s been the go-to for so many TIGGO 3X owners.

Now, if you’ve looked at a newer TIGGO 3X—models from 2020 onward—you might have noticed a small but important update under the hood. Chery refined the Acteco SQRE4G15 to meet stricter global emissions standards (things like China’s National VI b and Euro 6d regulations, which require lower exhaust emissions) without sacrificing the reliability drivers love. The updated version still displaces 1.5 liters, is still naturally aspirated, but has tweaks like variable valve timing (VVT) on the intake side. VVT adjusts when the intake valves open and close based on how fast the engine is running, so you get better fuel efficiency at low speeds and more consistent power at higher speeds. The horsepower bumped up slightly, too—around 116 hp, and torque stays close to the original 103 lb-ft. For our team, this update was a big win: it meant the engine stayed true to its core, so we didn’t have to rework half the parts we supply, but it also made the TIGGO 3X cleaner and more efficient for drivers.

I know what some of you are thinking: “Why not a turbo? Turbos give more power for the same size.” That’s true, but the TIGGO 3X’s target audience values practicality over raw power. A naturally aspirated engine is simpler, has fewer moving parts, so it’s less likely to break down. If you’re a new driver who’s still learning to work on their car, or a small business owner who can’t afford to have their car in the shop for weeks, that simplicity matters. We supply parts like engine gaskets, timing belts, and fuel injectors for the SQRE4G15, and the design of the engine makes replacing those parts straightforward—something our customers (both professional mechanics and DIY owners) love.

Let’s talk about fuel efficiency, because that’s a huge selling point for the TIGGO 3X. The EPA (and China’s own automotive industry standards) rates the TIGGO 3X with the SQRE4G15 at around 37 mpg combined for manual transmission models, and around 35 mpg for automatic. For a compact SUV, that’s really good. I do a lot of delivery driving for my own business on the side, and when I drove a 2021 TIGGO 3X for a month to test parts compatibility, I was getting about 34 mpg in mixed city and highway driving. That translates to fewer trips to the gas station, which adds up to big savings over time. The naturally aspirated engine’s efficiency comes from its design—no turbo lag, no need for premium gas (you can use regular 87-octane fuel, which is another win for drivers).

As a supplier, I’ve also seen how the engine integrates with the TIGGO 3X’s transmission. Early models came with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. The 4-speed automatic is simple, durable, and pairs perfectly with the 1.5-liter engine—no fancy dual-clutch or 8-speed nonsense that’s prone to issues. Newer models (2022 and up) upgraded to a 5-speed automatic, which cuts down on the small power losses from gear shifts and improves fuel efficiency a little more. We supply transmission parts too, and the pairing between the SQRE4G15 and these transmissions is so well-engineered that we rarely see transmission failures tied to the engine. That level of integration is what makes the TIGGO 3X such a solid, no-fuss car.

Wait, let’s address a common misconception out there: some people think older compact cars have clunky, underpowered engines that struggle up hills or when carrying a full load. I’ve loaded a TIGGO 3X up with four adults, two large coolers, and a full set of camping gear for a weekend trip to the mountains, and it climbed those hills just fine. Is it as quick as a sports car? No, and that’s not what it’s designed to be. It’s designed to be reliable, affordable, and easy to live with, and the SQRE4G15 engine hits every one of those marks. Over the years, we’ve supplied parts for thousands of TIGGO 3X engines, and we only hear positive feedback from drivers about how the engine runs—no common overheating issues, no weird noises, just consistent performance.

Another point I want to cover is maintenance, because that’s where the engine’s design really shines. The SQRE4G15 has a recommended oil change interval of every 5,000 miles for severe driving (like stop-and-go city traffic) and every 7,500 miles for highway driving. The air filter is easy to access, so you can replace it in 10 minutes if you do your own basic maintenance. We supply all the maintenance parts—oil filters, air filters, spark plugs, timing belts—for this engine, and they’re far cheaper than parts for many competing compact SUVs. That’s a big part of why TIGGO 3X owners keep their cars for so long: it’s not just the engine’s reliability, it’s how affordable it is to take care of.

Now, for anyone who’s shopping for a TIGGO 3X or replacing engine parts: it’s important to know that the engine is designed to run on regular unleaded gasoline, so don’t waste money on premium. Using the right oil (we recommend 5W-30 for most climates) is key to keeping the engine running smoothly, and sticking to the maintenance schedule will add years to its life. We also suggest avoiding aftermarket performance parts that alter the engine’s original design—we’ve seen too many cases where people add a turbo or modify the air intake, and end up with more problems than they solve. The SQRE4G15 is optimized exactly how it is, and changing that just puts unnecessary stress on the engine.

As someone who’s been in the auto parts industry for over a decade, working with Chery and the TIGGO line has been a highlight. The TIGGO 3X was designed for the everyman, and its engine is the heart of that philosophy. It’s not flashy, it’s not the most powerful on the market, but it’s built to work, day in and day out, for years and years. Whether you’re a new owner looking to learn about your car, a mechanic needing to source parts, or someone just curious about what makes this SUV tick, I hope this clears up any questions you had about the TIGGO 3X’s engine.

If you’re in the market for genuine TIGGO 3X engine parts, or if you’re a dealer or fleet manager looking for a reliable supplier to partner with, I’d love to connect. We stock all genuine, OEM-grade parts for the SQRE4G15 engine—from small spark plugs to full engine assemblies—at competitive prices, and we offer bulk discounts for regular partners. Reach out to our team to discuss your needs, and we’ll make sure you get the parts and support you need to keep TIGGO 3Xs running smoothly.

Chery Tiggo 7 Drive Shaft References

  1. Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. (2016). TIGGO 3X Official Specifications and Owner’s Manual.
  2. Acteco Powertrain Co., Ltd. (2019). SQRE4G15 Engine Technical Overview and Performance Data.
  3. China Automotive Technology and Research Center (2022). Compact SUV Fuel Efficiency and Emissions Report: TIGGO 3X Model Year 2020–2022.
  4. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International. (2021). Naturally Aspirated Inline-Four Engine Design for Compact Passenger Vehicles.
  5. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). (2020). Compact SUV Reliability Survey: TIGGO 3X Powertrain Feedback.

Wuhu Shengsheng Automotive Parts Co., Ltd.
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