As the wave of automotive intelligence deepens, the intelligence level of a car is no longer solely measured by its smart cockpit and autonomous driving capabilities. As the foundation supporting all advanced technologies, the performance of the intelligent chassis is becoming the "ultimate test" of the overall intelligent experience of a vehicle. However, with a plethora of technical terms and conflicting claims from manufacturers, how can consumers discern the true capabilities and quality of intelligent chassis? A real-world test report published by an authoritative institution provides a clear answer for the market.
On December 25th, China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute released the first batch of real-world test reports on intelligent chassis in Chongqing. The tests covered more than 10 mainstream models, with 13 types of operating conditions and over 20 indicators, simulating scenarios such as tire blowouts on curves and starting on opposing slopes. The results showed that some intelligent chassis can perceive vehicle posture in real time, adjust the suspension in advance to suppress shaking, and actively intervene to maintain direction before skidding occurs. The report named the Yangwang U7, NIO ES8, and LUXEED R7 as benchmarks, corresponding to three price segments: 500,000-700,000 RMB sedans, 300,000-500,000 RMB SUVs, and 200,000-300,000 RMB SUVs. The research established a complete system from user pain points to technical verification and purchasing references, providing consumers with transparent criteria for vehicle selection and establishing scenario-based evaluation standards for the industry.
On December 23, 2025, the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI) officially held the "2025 Intelligent Chassis Pioneer Program" test and research results release conference in Chongqing. The core achievement of this conference was the first public release of the "2025 Intelligent Chassis Test and Research Results Report," along with eight supporting group standards for intelligent chassis testing. This move signifies that the industry's evaluation of intelligent chassis has officially moved from the previous "conceptual perception" to a new scientific stage of "data-driven verification and comparable performance." The report points out that intelligent chassis systems have become one of the core benchmarks for measuring the intelligence level of a vehicle, but there has long been a gap between industry planning, technology development, and consumer perception. This report aims to systematically address core concerns such as "how the industry should plan," "how technology projects should be initiated," and "how consumers perceive and judge performance." It is not only a "technical health check report" that sets standards for the industry, but also an intuitive "car buying guide" for consumers, playing a crucial role in "setting benchmarks and anchoring value."
To realistically and comprehensively evaluate the performance limits of intelligent chassis systems in various models, the testing design was extremely rigorous. The research team selected more than 10 mainstream models on the market and carefully designed 13 test conditions that closely resemble real-world driving and high-risk scenarios, and set more than 20 key evaluation indicators. These test scenarios are extremely challenging, designed to verify the active safety and dynamic adaptability of the intelligent chassis system:
High-risk scenarios: Including "tire blowout on a curve" and "anti-skid interference during cornering at an intersection," testing the vehicle's stability and accident avoidance capabilities in sudden extreme dangers.
Complex working condition scenarios: Such as "starting on a split-friction slope," simulating the extreme situation where one wheel is on a high-friction surface and the other is on a low-friction surface, testing the vehicle's power distribution and body stability control.
In the actual tests, vehicles equipped with advanced intelligent chassis systems demonstrated powerful sensing and execution capabilities. For example, during braking, the system can sense changes in body posture in real time, proactively adjust suspension stiffness in advance, effectively suppress the "nose dive" phenomenon, making the braking process smoother and more controlled. Before starting on a dangerous split-friction road surface, intelligent sensors have already identified the difference in friction coefficients between the left and right sides of the road, and intervened proactively before the wheels show a tendency to slip, adjusting torque distribution and effectively avoiding the risk of the vehicle veering off course and losing control.
Although the complete list of tested models has not yet been released, the press conference explicitly mentioned three models that performed exceptionally well in different price ranges and can be considered industry benchmarks, providing consumers with valuable reference points for car purchases:
Yangwang U7 — Benchmark for intelligent chassis in the 500,000-700,000 RMB sedan segment
NIO ES8 — Benchmark for intelligent chassis in the 300,000-500,000 RMB SUV segment
LUXEED R7 — Benchmark for intelligent chassis in the 200,000-300,000 RMB SUV segment
The selection of these three models is based on scientific test data and a rigorous evaluation system, aiming to provide consumers with clear choices.
The release of these research results is of milestone significance for both the industry and consumers.
Establishing norms and benchmarks for the industry: This move fills a gap in the field of user-scenario-based real-vehicle testing and evaluation of intelligent chassis. At the same time, the eight group standards released provide scientific and unified specifications for testing intelligent chassis in key scenarios such as dynamic response, safety redundancy, and comfort experience. This will effectively reduce the cost of collaboration in the industry chain, guide technological resources towards high-quality development, and promote the standardization and collaboration of the industrial ecosystem.
Building a cognitive bridge for consumers: The core lies in establishing a complete and objective reference system from "user pain points" to "technical verification" and then to "product selection." It is not only a practical buying guide for the present but also foreshadows a future automotive consumer market that will become more transparent and rational.
Furthermore, in the face of continuous technological evolution, the China Automotive Research Center Chassis Research Center also proactively released the "2026 Pioneer Plan for Testing Technology Innovation and Planning" at the press conference. The new plan emphasizes that, based on the existing system, it will continue to deepen testing in extreme scenarios and complex working conditions, driving the simultaneous iteration of testing standards and cutting-edge technologies with evaluation dimensions that are "more forward-looking, more refined, and closer to future mobility." From 2025 to 2026, what remains unchanged is the original intention of being user-centric and promoting the advancement of the industry.
