The Chery Tiggo 2, an entry-level SUV aimed at emerging markets, has received a worrying zero-star safety rating from Latin NCAP. This result highlights a serious gap in vehicle safety standards between regions, especially when compared to Chinese models sold in Europe that often achieve high scores.
Safety Concerns Highlighted by Latin NCAP
The Latin New Car Assessment Program (Latin NCAP) tested the Tiggo 2 and gave it a 0% score for both Adult and Child Occupant Protection. This rating suggests the SUV offers very poor crash protection and could pose a serious risk to passengers. While it scored better in pedestrian protection (49%) and safety assist systems (45%), these figures remain modest, largely supported by its inclusion of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). However, the Tiggo 2 lacks advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which are common in safer models.
This contrast is striking because many Chinese vehicles sold in Europe have recently matched or exceeded local safety standards, winning five-star ratings. The Tiggo 2, however, was developed for markets like Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, where safety regulations and consumer expectations are often lower.
Ongoing Safety Issues in Emerging Markets
The Tiggo 2’s poor safety rating is not an isolated issue. Chery has faced criticism in the past for subpar build quality and safety in markets outside Europe and China. Moreover, this problem resurfaced despite a recall in 2024. That recall addressed similar safety faults, which the company blamed on a supplier, yet the issues persisted into 2026, prompting an apology from Chery’s chairman.
These findings echo other disappointing Latin NCAP results in South America. For example, the Citroen Basalt, made by Stellantis in Brazil, also scored zero stars in 2024. Like Chery, Stellantis was criticized for offering weaker safety equipment in Latin America compared to India, where the Basalt includes additional airbags. Other models, including the Citroen C3 Aircross and Renault Sandero, similarly received low safety scores, indicating a trend of weakened safety priorities in this market.
What This Means for Consumers
The zero-star rating of the Tiggo 2 shows that vehicle safety is still largely a matter of what customers and markets demand and are willing to pay for. While European and North American buyers get cars with strong protections and lots of safety tech, customers in some emerging markets may receive less safe variants of the same or similar models.
Chery’s experience underscores an industry-wide challenge: balancing cost, safety, and regulations across different global markets. Until safety standards and enforcement improve universally, consumers in regions like Latin America may continue to face tough choices when buying affordable vehicles.
Source: autoevolution.com