Safety has become one of the most decisive factors in the compact SUV market, particularly for buyers balancing family needs with everyday practicality. As expectations around real-world crash protection continue to rise, manufacturers are being held to higher standards not just by regulators, but by consumers themselves. The Chery Tiggo 7 CSH enters this landscape with a compelling proposition, combining independently verified safety performance, electrified efficiency and everyday usability in a well-balanced package.
With a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and recognition as a finalist in the 2026 South African Car of the Year awards, the Tiggo 7 CSH demonstrates how modern vehicle safety is increasingly engineered into the very foundation of a vehicle rather than added as an afterthought.
Five-star Euro NCAP rating confirms structural integrity
The Chery Tiggo 7 has achieved a five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test programme, one of the most demanding and globally respected independent vehicle safety assessments. This result reflects strong performance across all major evaluation categories, reinforcing the SUV’s ability to protect occupants and other road users in real-world driving conditions.
In Adult Occupant Protection, the Tiggo 7 scored 82 percent, with testing confirming that the passenger compartment remained stable during frontal offset impacts. Good or adequate protection was recorded for critical body regions in both frontal and full-width impact scenarios, highlighting the effectiveness of the vehicle’s core structure and restraint systems.
Child Occupant Protection was rated at 85 percent, with Euro NCAP noting good protection for child passengers across a range of impact tests. The Tiggo 7’s performance in this area is particularly relevant for family buyers, where rear-seat safety is often a primary consideration rather than an afterthought.
The vehicle also achieved an 80 percent score for Vulnerable Road Users, reflecting effective mitigation measures for pedestrians and cyclists. Safety Assist Systems scored 78 percent, underscoring the role of driver-assistance technologies in helping to prevent accidents before they occur.
Side-impact and pole tests demonstrated good protection across key areas, while occupant movement was effectively controlled under more severe impact conditions. Rear-impact testing further showed that the front seats and head restraints provided good protection against whiplash injuries, an increasingly important factor in everyday urban driving.
Additional technologies, such as post-collision braking support, extend protection beyond the initial impact by helping to reduce the risk of secondary collisions. Taken together, these results underline the Tiggo 7’s ability to deliver comprehensive safety performance across a wide range of crash scenarios.
Safety engineered into the platform
A strong safety rating begins with the vehicle’s underlying architecture. In the Tiggo 7 CSH, safety is engineered into the platform rather than layered on through optional extras. The body structure incorporates approximately 60 percent high-strength steel, with critical load-bearing areas reinforced using 1,500 MPa hot-formed steel. This approach improves crash energy management while maintaining structural integrity under severe impact conditions.
Eight airbags are fitted as standard, ensuring protection for both front and rear occupants. These are supported by a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems designed to assist with collision avoidance and mitigation, particularly in high-traffic and unpredictable driving environments.
For electrified variants such as the Tiggo 7 CSH plug-in hybrid, battery safety has received equal attention. The IP68-rated LFP battery is housed within a reinforced enclosure protected by a 780 MPa high-strength steel underplate. Continuous monitoring and rapid power isolation capability ensure that, in the event of a collision, electrical risks are minimised and the integrity of the powertrain is preserved.
This holistic approach to safety reflects a growing industry focus on protecting not only occupants, but also critical vehicle systems that play a role in post-impact safety and recovery.
Designed for real-world family confidence
Beyond test results and technical specifications, safety ultimately comes down to confidence behind the wheel. According to Verene Petersen, National Marketing & Communications Manager at Chery South Africa, that real-world reassurance is central to the Tiggo 7 CSH’s positioning.
“South African families need to know their vehicle will look after them in the real world, not just on paper,” Petersen explains. “The Tiggo 7 CSH’s five-star Euro NCAP rating, strong structure and comprehensive safety systems give that confidence, while the electrified powertrain and practical features and technology make it easy to live with every day.”
This balance between measurable safety performance and everyday usability is increasingly important in a segment where buyers expect advanced technology without sacrificing comfort, efficiency or affordability.
Industry recognition reinforces market relevance
The Tiggo 7 CSH’s credentials have also been recognised locally, with the plug-in hybrid SUV named a finalist in the 2026 South African Car of the Year competition. Shortlisted by an expert jury following extensive evaluation, the vehicle will proceed to final testing at Zwartkops Raceway, where it will be assessed on quality, safety, performance and suitability for South African conditions.
This recognition reflects growing confidence in Chery products among both consumers and industry experts. As the market continues to place greater emphasis on verified safety performance and real-world usability, vehicles that can demonstrate both are increasingly well positioned.
In the compact SUV segment, where safety expectations are no longer negotiable, the Chery Tiggo 7 CSH presents a compelling case. Its combination of independently verified crash performance, robust structural engineering and practical electrified mobility highlights a thoughtful approach to modern family transport, one that aligns closely with the evolving priorities of South African buyers.
