Chery Tiggo 7 Pro performs poorly in NCAP safety test

You'd have had to be living under a rock not to have noticed the boom in Chinese cars entering the South African automotive market in the last couple of years.

Jetour, BAIC, BYD, GAC and Jaecoo are just a few of the carmakers whose vehicles are beginning to dominate our roads.

Chery, too, has made a considerable dent in the market. Indeed, it was the third best-selling carmaker in the country last month.

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But while buyers may be attracted to the style and more likely the price of Chery's offering, they may be slightly more disheartened about its safety.

The manufacturer's popular Tiggo 7 Pro scored a measly two-star safety rating in the Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) safety crash test.

"It [NCAP] is to ensure every car on the road is equipped with some safety features that are meant to aid in any collision that may happen and ensure passengers are safe. It's a global requirement," explains motoring expert Kumbi Mtshakazi.

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The rating is from 0-5, with Mtshakazi admitting it is difficult to achieve 5/5.

"But in the case we are seeing right now, there are a lot of side airbags that are missing... an absence of side head protection for the front and rear occupants...that can have devastating effects."

Mtshakazi says it's likely that the manufacturer will up its safety game for the next edition of the car.

Adding that entry-level cars are more likely to have lower NCAP ratings, Mtshakazi says those in the higher price range tend to be well-fitted.

"The higher grades are usually fitted with all these safety features that give it a five out of five."

The Tiggo Pro 7 is the third high-volume vehicle in recent months to receive a low safety rating, following the Hyundai Grand i10 and best-selling Toyota Corolla Cross.

To listen to Mtshakazi in conversation with 702's John Perlman, click the audio player below: