GAC Aion UT and Xpeng X9 earn five-star ANCAP ratings under the tougher 2026 rules
ANCAP has awarded five-star safety ratings to two Chinese electric vehicles, the GAC Aion UT hatch and the Xpeng X9 people mover. The results were published on 12 October 2026 and both cars were assessed against the 2026 to 2028 criteria, which use four new scoring pillars rather than the old adult, child, vulnerable road user and safety assist split.
Both ratings apply to all variants. The Aion UT rating covers cars built from April 2026, and the X9 rating covers cars built from August 2026.
The scores side by side
| Pillar | GAC Aion UT | Xpeng X9 | Five-star minimum in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Driving | 68 per cent | 56 per cent | 60 per cent |
| Crash Avoidance | 74 per cent | 82 per cent | 70 per cent |
| Crash Protection | 90 per cent | 91 per cent | 80 per cent |
| Post Crash | 88 per cent | 91 per cent | 80 per cent |
| Rating | Five stars | Five stars |
The X9 sits below the 60 per cent Safe Driving threshold. Under the 2026 rules a shortfall of a few points in one pillar can be balanced by a strong result in a neighbouring pillar, and the X9’s 82 per cent Crash Avoidance score carried it over the line. Buyers who care most about driver monitoring and in-cabin controls should look at that Safe Driving number before the star count.
What the new 2026 tests look at
The latest protocol adds checks for incorrect seatbelt use and for occupants sitting out of position, along with child presence detection that can warn the driver if a child is left in the car. Both models have these systems.
Crash protection now uses virtual simulations and sled data to judge injury risk for small, medium and larger occupants across a wider range of speeds and crash severities. ANCAP singled out both cars for strong results here, as well as in frontal, side impact and run-off-road crashes.
Battery safety after a crash
Every electric car tested to the 2026 criteria goes through a pierce test, which checks whether damage to one battery cell can start a chain reaction and a fire. Both cars scored highly for high-voltage battery safety after a crash. GAC and Xpeng have also fitted the hardware for automatic emergency calling, which is due to become operational by October 2027.
Where both cars lost marks
Each car scored only 20 per cent for driving controls. ANCAP says headlights, wipers, demisters, mirrors and hazard lights, as well as audio, phone and climate functions, lean too heavily on the touchscreen. ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg said the organisation wants carmakers to bring back buttons for the functions drivers use every day.
If you are shortlisting either car, spend some time on a test drive working the wipers, demister and headlights while moving. That is where the touchscreen layout will matter most in daily driving.
What this means if you are buying
The Aion UT is one of the cheaper electric hatches on sale, and the five-star result strengthens its case against rivals such as the MG4 EV Urban. Our Aion UT and MG4 EV Urban comparison covers price, range and equipment in more detail.
The X9 is a large electric people mover, so a top rating under the newest rules matters for families carrying children in the second and third rows. For a wider look at electric family options, see our guide to the best electric SUVs under $60,000.
