Despite the common belief that Chinese cars lag behind global brands in safety, manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom continue to challenge these stereotypes. Recent results from Euro NCAP—one of the most authoritative organizations in automotive safety assessment—demonstrate that Chinese vehicles can not only compete but also surpass many well-known brands.
The Deepal S07 crossover, produced by a company that has only been in existence for two years, is one such example. It achieved the maximum rating of 5 stars for safety, with its performance in certain tests exceeding that of established automakers.
Test Results
Protection for the driver and adult passengers: 95%.
The frontal offset test scored the model 15.6 out of 16 points. The dummies showed excellent protection for knees and thighs, regardless of the height and build of the passengers. In the side impact test, the S07 achieved a perfect score of 16 points. The central airbag also performed well.
Child protection: 87%.
0Dummies representing 6 and 10-year-old children sustained no injuries during the tests, earning the car a score of 24 out of 24 possible points. However, Euro NCAP deemed the child detection system in the cabin not up to its strict standards, resulting in a penalty point.
Safety for pedestrians and cyclists: 74%.
1Tests for collisions with pedestrians and cyclists showed generally good results. However, in several scenarios, such as impacts with the windshield pillars, the protection was deemed insufficient. The model also received a penalty for lacking a system to protect cyclists from suddenly opening doors.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system: 77%.
2The AEB system successfully handled most tests, helping to avoid collisions in critical situations.
The Deepal S07 demonstrated a high level of safety, particularly for the driver, passengers, and children, enabling it to earn a well-deserved 5 stars from Euro NCAP. Despite some individual shortcomings, such as cyclist protection and the child detection system, this Chinese crossover stands as further evidence of the rapid improvement in the quality of vehicles from China.