Only the top, highest-tech version of Jaecoo’s sports utility has been evaluated by the national crash test auditor.

NATIONAL crash testing auditor ANCAP has given a decent score to the new-to-NZ plug-in hybrid version of a Chinese medium sports utility but haven’t yet decided on a score for the pure petrol edition that’s been here for a year.

The five star score out of ANCAP for the Jaecoo J7 is a strong score, but the Melbourne-based independent crash test authority has made clear it only applies to type with a plug-in hybrid system, dubbed SHS - shorthand for Super Hybrid System.

That model is just coming on sale here this month, in a single $49,990 guise.

ANCAP has given no indication when, or even if, it will score the cheaper pure petrol editions, which run a 1600cc petrol, in a front-drive format or alternate, pricier all-wheel-drive, across two trim levels.

At the moment, those cars lack an ANCAP rating, though they do achieve five stars under the Vehicle Safety Risk Rating scheme, which is offered for vehicles lacking scores from the more relevant ANCAP/NCAP regimes.

The J7 SHS earned an 81 percent rating for Adult Occupant Protection. In the frontal offset crash test, the front passenger compartment remained stable, offering good protection to most body regions. The driver’s chest and lower legs were rated as adequate, and a moderate compatibility penalty was applied due to risks to occupants in an oncoming vehicle.

In the full-width frontal test, driver protection was rated good, while the rear passenger neck and chest protection scored adequate. The side curtain airbag did not deploy correctly in the oblique pole test, resulting in penalties. Nonetheless, the J7 SHS scored 85 percent for Child Occupant Protection, with excellent results for the side impact test and overall safety for child dummies.

Vulnerable road user protection was rated at 80 percent, and Safety Assist systems received 84 percent. The warning system that alerts to potential a cyclist might strike an opening door fell short of scoring thresholds due to delayed alerts. The lane support systems, speed assistance, and direct driver monitoring met expectations.

Jaecoo and sister brand Omoda are products of the Chery Group, but the sub-brands are sold under a distributor to Chery badged product, which will be represented here soon by the factory.

The J7 SHS can run in pure-electric, series, parallel and energy-recovery modes and can achieve up to 90 kilometres on pure electric, when measured to the WLTP standard.

It gets a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol in marriage to an electric motor, driving the front wheels.

The engine’s outputs are 105kW power and 215Nm torque, while the electric motor has 150kW and 310Nm of torque. The maximum combined power and torque outputs appear to be 152kW and 310Nm, whereas the standard petrol makes 137kW/275Nm.

It also runs dedicated, constantly variable hybrid transmission, whereas the full petrol one has a dual clutch kind.