The Chinese automobile manufacturer recently put its new Tiggo 9 SUV through a head-on crash test during a demonstration in Johannesburg.
In the crash scenario, two Tiggo 9s were driven into each other at 50km/hr, with only half of their front ends overlapping – a setup designed to simulate one of the most common and dangerous accidents on South African roads.
Watch:
Despite the force of the impact, high-speed footage showed that the passenger cabins stayed intact, with no damage to key structural pillars.
Why this crash test matters
Most crash tests involve slamming a car into a stationary barrier. A dual-vehicle test is tougher: the energy of the collision is shared between two moving cars, making it a closer match to real-life collisions.
In South Africa, head-on collisions happen more often than the global average – and they are deadlier too.
Chery’s national brand and marketing manager, Verene Petersen, said the test was about showing safety in action rather than just making claims.
“All restraint systems operated as intended,” Petersen said. “The driver and passenger airbags deployed instantly, along with the driver’s knee airbag, and seatbelt pre-tensioners engaged to limit occupant movement.”
Furthermore, the car’s fuel systems remained sealed.
It was also noted that and all four doors could be opened normally after the impact. This would provide access for emergency services.
Safety tailored for the African market
Some of the safety features Chery highlighted include a body made of 85% high-strength steel, dual aluminium anti-collision beams and 10 airbags.
To read more about the safety tech inside the Tiggo 9, click here.
While the results have not yet been independently verified, the test is being positioned as a milestone in bringing advanced safety standards to vehicles built for African roads.
Have you driven a Chery Tiggo?
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