What’s the most convincing way to prove your new flagship family SUV is a safe bet? If you’re Chery, the answer is simple: you fly two of them to South Africa and smash them into each other. On purpose.
Chery recently conducted South Africa’s first-ever dual-vehicle collision test with its new Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid. This wasn’t just for show; it was a deliberate, hardcore demonstration aimed squarely at reassuring families in right-hand-drive markets like Australia and, by extension, New Zealand, that its commitment to safety is more than just marketing fluff.
The Main Event: A Real-World Scenario
This was no gentle nudge. The test involved two Tiggo 9s hurtling towards one another at 50 km/h, culminating in a 50% offset head-on collision.This specific scenario is notoriously brutal on a vehicle’s structure and is recognised as one of the most severe and common types of real-world crashes, making the results all the more critical.So, what happens when two of Chery’s biggest and best have a very bad day? The outcome was, frankly, remarkable.
Cabin Integrity: The passenger cabin remained completely intact. Crucially, there was no deformation to the A-, B-, or C-pillars, preserving the survival space for occupants.
Airbags: All airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag and a far-side airbag (designed to prevent occupants from colliding with each other), deployed instantly and correctly.
Systems Check: Seatbelt pre-tensioners fired as they should, and the fuel system operated flawlessly, mitigating fire risk.
Rescue Ready: In a detail that can mean the difference between life and death, all four doors could be opened normally after the collision, and the hazard lights activated automatically to alert other road users.
“This was not just a laboratory test—it was a real-world demonstration of our belief that true safety must be proven under the most demanding conditions,” said Lucas Harris, Chief Operating Officer for Chery Australia. “For Australian families, this means the Tiggo 9 delivers protection you can rely on in critical situations.”
Built on a Foundation of Strength
This impressive performance doesn’t happen by accident. The Tiggo 9 is built on Chery’s advanced T2X platform, which serves as its armoured core.The key to its strength lies in the materials and design:
- High-Strength Steel: A massive 85% of the body structure is made from high-strength steel.
- Ultra-High-Strength Steel: For the most critical areas, 21% of the structure is reinforced with ultra-high-strength hot-formed steel.
- Impact Distribution: A dual aluminium-alloy front anti-collision beam system covers 85% of the vehicle’s front, designed specifically to absorb and distribute impact forces away from the passenger cell.
- Airbag Shield: The segment-leading 10-airbag system includes a full-length curtain airbag that protects occupants from the A-pillar all the way to the D-pillar.
It all ties into Chery’s philosophy: “Safety is the ultimate luxury.”This test is part of a broader “Global Six-Dimensional Safety Challenge,” where Chery subjects its vehicles to extreme trials in diverse environments worldwide, from battery immersion tests in Indonesia to high-altitude challenges in Mexico.
What This Means for Us Down Under
While this test took place in South Africa, its message is aimed directly at us. By conducting such a transparent and severe test for a right-hand drive configuration, Chery is sending a clear signal about its focus on global quality and five-star safety. For a brand that is rapidly growing its presence in the competitive SUV market, this kind of public safety demonstration is a powerful statement.
The Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid is set to go on sale in Australia this November, and while a New Zealand launch date is yet to be confirmed, it’s a safe bet that when it arrives, it will do so with some serious safety credentials to its name.
