Just like in Malaysia, Chery’s recent foray into Australia was a comeback. It initially entered the Australian market in 2011 through an independent importer but only lasted for 4 years.

It offered three models at the time, the Chery J3 hatchback, the Chery J1 city car, and the Chery J11 SUV. The J11 was also sold as the Chery Tiggo in Malaysia and it along with the J1 was tested by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

Both cars scored 2/5 stars which was considered poor and among the worst ratings in their respective classes. This safety rating and an asbestos recall led to Chery exiting the Australian market in 2015.

Chery would make a return Down Under in March 2023 with the Omoda 5 and the Tiggo 7 Pro which was launched in October. Both the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 7 Pro were tested by ANCAP and each received the full 5-star rating.

The Omoda 5 received a score of 87% and 88% for Adult Occupant Protection and Child Occupant Protection respectively while it was the reverse for the Tiggo 7 Pro.

13 years ago when the J11/Tiggo was tested by ANCAP, there was no percentage rating given nor was there a Child Occupant Protection rating. Only the offset crash test was conducted and the J11 received 2 out of 16 points.

According to the report, “The passenger compartment lost structural integrity and there was excessive pedal displacement. Protection from serious chest, leg and foot injury was poor for the driver.”

A side impact test was planned to be conducted for the J11 but Chery told ANCAP that a recall campaign was initiated that would affect the side impact protection. ANCAP temporarily assigned a score of 16, the maximum possible, and stated, “The actual side impact protection score might be worse than 16 but is unlikely to result in a lower overall star rating.”

Comparatively, both the Tiggo 7 Pro and Omoda 5 received less scathing but still neutral-sounding remarks in their crash test reports. The Tiggo 7 Pro received above-average to excellent scores for occupant protection and in side impact tests.

Also read: Proven safety as Chery Omoda 5 awarded full five-star rating by Euro NCAP

While the J11 got a poor rating for pedestrian protection, the Tiggo 7 Pro and Omoda 5 received 80% and 68% for the similar Vulnerable Road User Protection category.

The J11 had basic safety features for 2011 including dual front airbags and ABS with EBD as standard but electronic stability control (ESC) is not available. Meanwhile, both the Tiggo 7 Pro and Omoda 5 feature a more comprehensive safety suite including 6 airbags, AEB, lane departure warning (LDW), blind-spot monitor (BSM), and forward collision warning (FCW).

Today’s Chinese cars are far from the knock-off tin cans of before. Besides ANCAP, Chinese cars have also excelled in the European equivalent, Euro NCAP. Chery’s improved safety image in Australia along with affordable prices have nabbed nearly 6,000 units sold in 2023.

Also read: Lynk & Co 01 and Nio ES8's 5-star Euro NCAP scores prove that Chinese cars are not 'tin kosong'

Back home in Malaysia, Chery Malaysia has opened registration of interest (ROI) for the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro. A direct rival to the Proton X70, the SUV is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine (197 PS/290 Nm) hooked to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).

Also read: Aimed at new X70, 2024 Chery Tiggo 7 Pro ROI open in Malaysia - 197 PS/260 Nm, circa RM 130k?

These are the prices of Chery Malaysia's current lineup:

• Chery Omoda 5
  • Omoda 5 C – RM 108,800
  • Omoda 5 H – RM 118,800
  • Omoda E5 BEV – RM 146,800
• Chery Tiggo 8 Pro – RM 159,800