When an automaker willingly puts its own vehicle to the test in front of an audience, you know it means business. Chinese automaker Chery demonstrated its confidence in the safety of its EVs by performing a very demanding crash test on camera. The triple-car collision showcased the strength of the 2025 Exeed Sterra ES chassis and the integrity of its battery pack, all in front of an audience of media representatives.

The crash test took place in Tianjin, China, with support from the China Automotive Technology and Research Centre (CATARC). Unlike the typical crash trolleys used in standard tests, Chery opted for three actual Exeed Sterra ES vehicles, aiming for a more realistic simulation.

The Crash Test Setup

The scenario aimed to replicate a real-world situation, but there are two key caveats. First, it involves a static car attempting a U-turn, only to be struck from both sides by two other vehicles. The main difference here is that, in an actual U-turn accident, the turning vehicle would likely be moving when struck. Additionally, it’s unrealistic to assume both other cars would be traveling at exactly the same speed. More on that later, but it’s important to keep these factors in mind when evaluating the test.

More: Chery Hunting Wild Concept Previews New Wagon With Solid-State Batteries

Two white Sterra ES EVs, each traveling at 60 km/h (37 mph), struck the red vehicle from opposite angles. One car impacted the front-right corner at a 30-degree angle, while the other slammed directly into the passenger compartment from 180 degrees. While a challenging crash for any car, the footage and photos suggest that the Exeed Sterra ES maintained a strong level of protection for its occupants.

Despite enduring forces approaching 35 tons (70,000 pounds), the Exeed Sterra ES appears to have maintained its structural integrity, keeping the test dummies protected inside.

Chery reports that the pillars withstood the impact, all seven airbags deployed as expected, and the doors automatically unlocked. The emergency call function was also activated, adding an extra layer of safety. Crucially, the battery pack showed no signs of leaks, smoke, or fire, while the high-voltage system shut down automatically, as it should in the event of a crash.

The Need for Independent Validation

While Chery’s self-conducted crash test is certainly impressive, there’s always the question of how the Exeed Sterra ES would perform under the more stringent scrutiny of third-party evaluations from agencies like EuroNCAP or IIHS. After all, it’s one thing to conduct your own tests, but the true measure of safety comes when those tests are held to the rigorous standards set by industry authorities.

Also keep in mind that having one car stationary in the crash test affects realism by concentrating impact forces on the moving vehicles, which doesn’t replicate how energy is distributed in a real-world collision. In an actual U-turn accident, all vehicles would be in motion, dissipating force across the crash. By keeping one car static, the test isolates the impacts, potentially exaggerating their severity and not fully capturing how the vehicles would behave in a dynamic, unpredictable real-world scenario.

Tell Me More About The Exeed Sterra ES

The Exeed Sterra ES, first launched in 2023, shares its platform with the Huawei-backed Luxeed S7. It’s part of a growing list of contenders in the electric sedan market, all aiming to dethrone the Tesla Model 3. It comes with both RWD and AWD configurations, promising an impressive driving range of up to 905 km (562 miles) of range on a full charge, thanks to its large 97.7 kWh battery pack. For the 2025 model year, Chery has introduced several updates, including reinforced body and chassis elements, further improving its safety credentials.

Chinese cars have come a long way in terms of safety, as demonstrated by their performance in independent crash tests. Many EVs from Chinese automakers have earned five-star ratings in EuroNCAP, even as the organization has introduced stricter testing protocols in recent years. The growing safety standards among Chinese manufacturers signal a broader shift, with more models becoming increasingly competitive in global markets.

Luxeed, the joint venture between Huawei and Chery, has unveiled the 2025 MY updates for the S7 electric sedan, one year after its debut. The updated EV brings a fresh color palette and a lower price point, with the aim of attracting buyers who might otherwise flock to the Tesla Model 3.

Originally launched in November 2023, the Luxeed S7 faced a sluggish start, largely due to supply issues. However, after re-introducing the electric sedan to the Chinese market in April 2024 with some minor tweaks, the 2025 MY version has now arrived, designed to ramp up customer demand and make a more significant impact in the competitive EV market.

More: Huawei’s Maextro S800 Looks Like Someone Put A Maybach, A Rolls And A Porsche In The Blender

The 4,971 mm (195.7 inches) long S7 was the first to showcase the group’s HIMA styling language, which has since been adopted across other Huawei-backed models like the Stelato S9 sedan, Aito M9 SUV, and the Luxeed R7 coupe SUV.

While the exterior remains unchanged for the 2025 MY, the new color options—Phantom Purple, Blue Wave, Metropolitan Red, and Sunshine Blue—give the S7 a more distinctive presence on the road. It also looks like the Luxeed S7 Ultra performance flagship also borrows some styling cues from the Tesla Model 3 Performance, sporting black 21-inch wheels, red Brembo brake calipers, and discreet aero add-ons.

Interior Upgrades And Tech

Inside, the 2025 S7 carries over much from the 2024 model, but with a few notable updates to its standard equipment. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 15.6-inch touchscreen run on Huawei’s HarmonyOS 4 software. The front seats feature zero-gravity technology, while the rear bench offers both heating and ventilation.

Luxeed has also added dual wireless charging pads and a 17-speaker audio system to enhance the cabin’s luxury feel. Furthermore, the Huawei ADS 2.0 system brings semi-autonomous driving capabilities and remote parking, using an array of sensors to assist the driver.

Powertrain And Chassis

The Luxeed S7 rides on the E0X architecture,shared with the Luxeed R7 coupe SUV, as well as the Exeed Sterra ES sedan and ET SUV. The same platform is expected to underpin the new Freelander EVs that will be introduced in China as part of Jaguar Land Rover’s joint venture with Chery.

The sedan is available with a rear-mounted electric motor producing 288 hp (215 kW / 292 PS), or dual electric motors producing a combined 489 hp (365 kW / 496 PS). The CATL-sourced battery packs have a capacity of 82 kWh or 100 kWh, with the latter offering a CLTC range of up to 855 km (531 miles) in the RWD version.

Cheaper Than The Tesla Model 3

The most significant news for 2025 is the Luxeed S7’s reduced price, with cuts ranging between ¥10,000-30,000 ($1,400-4,100) depending on the trim. The updated model now undercuts its primary rival, the Tesla Model 3, by a small margin—though it’s worth noting that Tesla could counter this move with more discounts sooner than you can say “Elon’s sending out another tweet.” .

SPECS

H/T to Car News China

While many Western carmakers have eased off on concept cars since the pandemic, Chinese brands are showing no signs of slowing down. Chery’s latest effort, the Hunting Wild, previews what could be the next chapter for their Fulwin series sporting an aerodynamic that straddles the line between a wagon and a minivan paired, all paired with next-generation solid-state battery technology.

The concept measures 5,053 mm (198.9 inches) in length, 2,010 mm (79.1 inches) in width, and 1,560 mm (61.4 inches) in height, with a wheelbase of 3,100 mm (122 inches). For comparison, that’s the same length as BMW i5 Touring but with a noticeably wider stance and a wheelbase stretched to limousine-like proportions.

More: CATL’s New Battery Could Give Hybrids More Range Than Some Full EVs

At least in conceptual form, it’s an interesting design—even if, as with many Chinese models, there are a many familiar styling elements borrowed from elsewhere. Up front, a black trim piece integrates everything from split-LED headlights to an illuminated Chery emblem and ADAS sensors. Below that, the bumper features an active grille and sculpted side cooling intakes.

The futuristic aero-optimized wheels measure 21 inches at the front and 22 inches at the rear. Other highlights include the frameless windows, the lack of door handles, and the large rear wing. Chery designers added Fulwin logos on the headlights, wheels, side gills, and full-width LED taillights.

Chery hasn’t released interior photos yet, but the spec list paints a picture of a tech-filled cabin. Highlights include a 15.6-inch infotainment display, AI-powered voice controls, a sprawling 23-speaker sound system, and reclining rear seats with leg rests. Topping it off is a color-changing dome skylight integrated into the panoramic roof.

In terms of the electrified powertrain, information from Chinese media is contradicting. Either way, the real star is the 800V solid-state battery, expected to deliver significantly improved driving range. Solid-state batteries have been touted as the holy grail of EV tech for years, and while they’re not quite here yet, Chery’s ambitious timeline suggests production readiness by 2026.

The chassis is reportedly equipped with a dual-chamber air suspension, Brembo brakes, and four-wheel steering. Additionally, the concept is expected to feature advanced self-driving capabilities.

The Chery Hunting Wild concept will make its first public outing on November 15, at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show. Judging from the fact that solid-state battery technology is still under development, we don’t expect a market launch earlier than 2026. When it does enter production, the model will rival the likes of the Zeekr 001, Neta S Wagon, and Nio ET5T.

Plug-in hybrids are often billed as a stepping stone to electric vehicles as they usually offer a modest electric-only range of around 30 to 40 miles. That’s enough to cover short commutes, but not much else. Beyond that, they rely on traditional engines, leaving much to be desired for those seeking true electric freedom.

However, it’s time to rethink plug-in hybrids as CATL has unveiled their new Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery, which promises to give PHEVs a range in excess of 249 miles (400 km). That’s presumably an optimistic CLTC figure, but that range matches the EPA estimate of the Audi e-tron GT and bests some versions of the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW i4. It also trounces EPA figures for the Fiat 500e as well as variants of the Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning.

More: CATL’s New LFP Battery Unlocks 373-Mile Range With 10-Minute Charge

Besides providing a significant increase in range, CATL says the battery supports 4C superfast charging. This means a quick 10 minute stop could deliver over 174 miles (280 km) of range, “dispelling range anxiety for EREV and PHEV owners.”

The magic behind Freevoy lies in advanced materials and cutting-edge chemistry. According to CATL, the battery’s design incorporates “surface modification technology for the cathode material, coupled with an innovative high-voltage electrolyte formulation, to create a nano protective layer. This effectively minimizes side reactions within the active layer.”

As CATL explains it, the inclusion of “high-activity, excited-state particles into the cathode material significantly enhances transport efficiency of lithium ions within the material. Supported by the SOC full-scene high-precision model developed by CATL, and the upgrade of BMS intelligent algorithm and hardware, the SOC control accuracy of Freevoy has been increased by 40%, and the overall pure electric utilization rate has increased by more than 10%, achieving a pure electric range of more than 249 miles (400 km).”

The company went on to say the Freevoy incorporates their sodium-ion battery technology as well as a multi-gradient layered electrode design. Of course, what really matters is the jaw-dropping range and CATL effectively said each improvement helped to add a few miles, combining to create a huge jump over traditional PHEV batteries.

Looking ahead, 30 hybrid models are set to roll out next year equipped with the Freevoy battery. Among the first to adopt it will be brands like Chery, GAC, Geely, and VOYAH, setting the stage for a new era of hybrids that might actually make going fully electric seem, well, not so urgent after all.

Solid-state batteries are viewed by many as the next frontier for EVs and are being developed by startups and legacy carmakers alike. Chinese car manufacturer Chery is the latest brand working on them and says they’ll be ready for primetime in 2026.

The carmaker confirmed work is progressing on solid-state batteries during the Chery Global Innovation Conference last week. It revealed current prototypes of the batteries have an energy density of 400 Wh/kg and that this will be increased to 600 Wh/kg in 2025. Chery will then be ready to install the batteries into cars in 2026 before commencing large-scale production the following year.

Read: Chery Scrambles To Fix Omoda 5 After Rear Axle Snaps Off In Malaysia

Chery believes its solid-state battery will be able to give its EVs up to 1,500 km (932 miles) of range on a single charge.

While solid-state batteries are being developed by many companies, no EV has hit the market with one. With that being said, both the Nio ET7 and IM L6 have premiered this year with semi-solid-state batteries.

Chery made a series of other important battery-related announcements at its innovation conference. It has developed new square lithium-iron phosphate, square ternary, and large cylindrical ternary batteries that can add 400 km (249 miles) of range with just 5 minutes of charging.

The firm revealed its new square lithium-iron phosphate batteries will be used in EVs that have a range of between 200–600 km (124-372 miles) and PHEVs and EREVs with 100-200 km (62-124 miles) of electric range. Chery’s square ternary batteries will then be used for EVs with 600-800 km (373-497 miles) of range as well as PHEVs and EREVs with ranges varying from 150-300 km (93-186 miles). Last but not least are the new cylindrical cells developed for EVs with 700-1,200 km (435-746 miles) of range and PHEVs/EREVs that can travel between 150-300 km (93-186 miles) on a single charge.