20 NCAP stars for the Chery TIGGO 7

Quick look

• The Chery TIGGO 7 is one of the few Chinese SUVs to achieve full 5-star ratings from  four major NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) organisations in different regions.

• For ASEAN NCAP assessment, visibility of motorcyclists is also a criteria in view of the larger number of motorcylcles on the roads in the region.

When Japanese cars began appearing in world markets from the late 1950s onwards, their small and seemingly fragile construction gave many the perception that they would not give good protection in accidents. Back then, there were no NCAPs (New Car Assessment Programs) that evaluated safety, especially in crash testing.

However, while they may have been less robust in those years, the Japanese automakers didn’t ignore the need to make their cars safe and ensure good occupant protection. Over time, they were able to pass the various NCAP tests in different regions, and today, most can score the maximum of 5 stars.

Likewise, when Chinese cars began to enter world markets over 25 years ago, they faced the same negative responses with regards to quality and safety. The modern Chinese auto industry was still young, having only started in the 1980s, and they were still on a learning and development curve.

Tougher start for Chinese vehicles
Even tougher for the Chinese automakers was that NCAPs were already in existence and car-buyers referred to assessments to guide their purchase decision. The early Chinese cars did not do well but like the Japanese automakers, the Chinese ones also worked hard on making their vehicles safe.

On par with establshed brands
20 years later, the latest Chinese models are also able to achieve top scores in NCAPs in various regions. They have advanced technologies for their active and passive safety systems that are on par with the more established brands with a longer history.

While many Chinese export models have scored the maximum 5-star ratings in different regions, one of the few SUVs to achieve the maximum rating in four NCAPs is the TIGGO 7 from Chery, China’s top vehicle exporter for 23 consecutive years.

5 stars in 4 different regions
]The TIGGO 7 has obtained 5-star safety ratings from Euro NCAP, ANCAP (Australia and New Zealand), ASEAN NCAP and C-NCAP (China). While these organisations are members of Global NCAP, an umbrella organisation and adopt common assessment criteria or protocols, they also have additional criteria relevant to their markets to make the results more relevant.

The TIGGO 7 PHEV received a 5-star rating from ASEAN NCAP in late 2025, with a total score of 94.68 points. This marked the highest overall score recorded by the ASEAN programme since its establishment in 2011.

In the ASEAN NCAP assessment, the vehicle achieved full marks in Adult Occupant Protection (40.00 points) and Safety Assist (20.00 points). It became the only PHEV (plug-in hybrid) model to record perfect scores in both categories.

The ASEAN NCAP testing considered regional road conditions, including heavy motorcycle traffic and variable urban flow. The TIGGO 7 incorporates Autonomous Level 2+ driver assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which activate above 15 km/h to assist during lane changes and door openings.

In October 2025, the TIGGO 7 CSH was rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP, which was established in 1996. It had undergone reassessment after a first test in July 2025 which had scored 4 stars due to a side curtain airbag deployment issue. As Chery addressed the issue, Euro NCAP tested the model again and raised the score to the full 5 stars.

The Euro NCAP results showed balanced performance across categories: 82% in Adult Occupant Protection, 85% in Child Occupant Protection, 80% in Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 78% in Safety Assist.

Two months after the Euro NCAP reassessment, ANCAP confirmed a 5-star rating for the TIGGO 7 CSH, with scores aligned to the shared Euro NCAP protocols due to similar testing methods. However, ANCAP criteria are still considered to be very tough.

The TIGGO 7 has also achieved a 5-star rating from C-NCAP, in the automaker’s home market. There are different variants of the model sold in China where it is also known as the Tansuo 06. The TIGGO line has been in production since 2005.

Popular in Malaysia
In Malaysia, the TIGGO 7, priced from RM123,800, is offered as the TIGGO 7 PHEV and the TIGGO 7 PRO. As with other Chery models, the TIGGO 7 has been assembled locally at the INOKOM plant in Kedah since June 2024. It continues to be a major contributor to the brand’s sales which, in 2025, totalled 12,930 units.

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