GAC AION UT and XPENG X9 earn five-star ANCAP safety ratings under 2026-2028 criteria

Five-star results for two Chinese EVs

ANCAP has awarded five-star safety ratings to two new Chinese electric vehicles: the GAC AION UT hatch and the XPENG X9 people mover. The safety body, announcing the results on 12 October 2026, described the duo as injecting additional five-star safety choices into the growing EV market, with both models assessed against its latest 2026-2028 safety rating criteria. ¹

The ratings apply to specific production ranges: the GAC AION UT from April 2026 onwards and the XPENG X9 from August 2026 onwards. Both vehicles were subjected to ANCAP's full battery of physical crash tests, including the frontal offset (MPDB) test at 50km/h, full width frontal test at 35km/h, side impact test at 60km/h, oblique pole test at 32km/h and far-side impact assessment. ¹

Strong occupant protection across a broader range of body sizes

ANCAP reported that both models recorded high scores for their ability to protect occupants in frontal, side impact and run-off-road crashes. A notable result for both, according to ANCAP, was the crash protection provided to small, medium-sized and larger occupants. This is a new element of assessment under the 2026-2028 criteria, using extensive virtual simulations and sled test data to assess injury risk across a broader cross-section of occupant sizes, speeds and crash severities. ¹

ANCAP also highlighted new virtual tests that provide greater insight into crash protection for different sized occupants and broader impact severities. The organisation said these assessments form part of a comprehensive and ambitious set of requirements. "Our 2026 safety rating requirements are comprehensive and ambitious, encouraging manufacturers to deliver a broader range of safety features and higher levels of protection," said ANCAP Chief Executive Carla Hoorweg. ¹

Battery safety and child presence detection

Both the AION UT and X9 achieved high scores for the safety performance of their high-voltage batteries following a crash, ANCAP said. This area of assessment includes a 'pierce test', which examines whether physical damage to a battery cell can trigger a chain reaction leading to a fire. ANCAP noted this test is undertaken on all battery-electric vehicles assessed against its latest 2026-2028 criteria. ¹

Both models are equipped with a wide range of safety features encouraged through the latest criteria, according to ANCAP. These include systems that detect incorrect seatbelt use and occupants sitting in potentially unsafe positions, helping reduce the risk of injury in a crash, as well as child presence detection systems that can alert the driver if a child has been left in the vehicle. ¹

GAC and XPENG have also equipped their respective models with the hardware necessary to enable eCall emergency calling functionality, which ANCAP said is to become operational by October 2027. ¹

ANCAP's push-back on touchscreen controls

One area where both the AION UT and X9 could improve, ANCAP said, is their in-cabin driving controls. The safety body has been discouraging the integration of key driving controls into digital touchscreens, advocating instead for physical buttons and controls to minimise driver distraction. ¹

ANCAP noted that in both vehicles, key functions such as the operation of headlights, windscreen wipers, demisters, side mirrors and hazard lights, together with audio, telephone or climate controls, rely too heavily on touchscreen interaction rather than readily accessible physical controls. "We want to see carmakers bring back buttons for the functions drivers use every day. Adjusting your windscreen wipers, switching on your headlights or clearing a fogged-up windscreen should be simple, intuitive and achievable without taking your attention off the road," Hoorweg said. ¹

The expanding five-star EV field

The new ratings arrive as Australia's EV market continues to grow. According to EcoFlow's 2026 guide to electric cars in Australia, electric vehicles made up less than 1 per cent of new car sales in 2020, climbed above 13 per cent by 2025 and are expected to top 15 per cent in 2026. The guide also reports that Australia sold more than 156,000 electrified vehicles in 2025, a 38.7 per cent jump from 2024, with Tesla and BYD together accounting for more than half of all EV sales. ²

Against that backdrop, a wider spread of five-star-rated electric models gives buyers more choice across body styles and price points. The AION UT hatch and X9 people mover add segments beyond the SUVs that have dominated Australian EV sales to date, and the EcoFlow guide notes most EVs sold locally carry a five-star ANCAP rating alongside advanced crash-avoidance technology. Full rating details for both new entries are published on ANCAP's website. ¹²