The results, released by C-NCAP earlier this month showed the Territory being the only vehicle tested in its batch to score a low rating. Other vehicles, such as the Volkswagen Viloran MPV and Sagitar (Chinese market Jetta) scored a perfect 5-star rating.

The SUV, built under a joint-venture with Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) scored just 70.2 percent out of 100 under the C-NCAP’s more stringent 2018 system. It scored 57.13 out of 70 in Occupant Protection, 9.06 out of 15 in Pedestrian Protection, and 4 out of 15 in Active Safety.

The Chinese NCAP closely mirrors the most stringent Euro NCAP test. In order to achieve a 5-star rating, the vehicle tested not only must have superior crash protection, but must offer safety systems such as ABS with EBD and stability control as standard.

By comparison, the Territory managed a 4- or 5-star rating using the older 2015 testing protocol (it was then known as the Jiangling Yusheng S330).

In a full-frontal crash test, the Territory showed excellent head protection, but scored just half in both chest and leg protection. Worryingly, it scored less than half for chest protection for rear occupants. Testers also noted that an open flame appeared in the passenger compartment after the seatbelt’s pre-tensioner deployed.

The Territory did better when it came to its offset front collision test receiving full marks for all except the driver’s chest protection. The same goes for its side-impact test, where it got full marks except for half points in lower body protection for rear occupants, and less than half points in head protection for rear occupants.

The C-NCAP also noted that while the Territory they tested had automatic emergency braking (AEB), it does not defect pedestrians, dragging its Active Safety score lower.