Chery Tiggo 7 Pro passed a two-star crash test in South Africa: it’s all about the basic configuration

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro received only 2 stars in the Global NCAP crash test in South Africa - due to the minimum configuration without ESP and with two airbags.

Result that raised questions

At the end of 2024, the South African vehicle safety assessment committee Global NCAP published the crash test results of the Chinese Chery Tiggo 7 Pro crossover sold in the region. The car received only two stars out of a possible five - significantly lower than its counterparts in other countries. However, this modest score hides an important nuance: testing was carried out on the most basic version, devoid of even basic active safety systems.

Safety “at a minimum”

Unlike the Russian or European specification, where the Tiggo 7 Pro is equipped with at least six airbags, ESP and an automatic braking system, the South African basic package included only two front airbags, no stability control system (ESP) and no modern assistants. The body frame, despite the use of high-strength steels, could not compensate for this deficiency in a frontal collision at 64 km/h.

It is interesting that in the same 2023, Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, tested in Latin America (Latin NCAP), received five stars - but already in a top-end configuration with a full set of security systems. This clearly demonstrates: safety assessment depends not only on the design of the car, but also on what technologies are installed in it.

Why does this happen?

Manufacturers often adapt configurations to the requirements and expectations of local markets. In countries with less stringent safety regulations and high price sensitivity, companies skimp on “invisible” elements - at the expense of protecting passengers. Chery is no exception: in South Africa, the starting price of the Tiggo 7 Pro is about $25,000, and to meet this budget, you have to sacrifice equipment.

However, the brand itself emphasizes: all versions of Tiggo 7 Pro sold in Russia, Europe and China meet high safety standards and have at least six airbags, ESP, ABS, as well as automatic braking and blind spot monitoring systems.

Lesson for buyers

This case is a reminder: crash test stars are always tied to a specific configuration. The same car can be both relatively safe and extremely vulnerable, depending on what is installed in it. Therefore, when choosing a car, you should pay attention not only to the model, but also to the exact list of security systems in the selected version.

Ultimately, the result in South Africa is not a condemnation of Chery’s quality, but a signal of the importance of common global standards and a responsible approach to equipment, even in the most affordable markets.