New EV safety results: look at the detail behind the five stars

22 October 2026

ANCAP announced five-star safety ratings for the GAC AION UT and XPENG X9 on 12 October 2026. The results were assessed against its 2026–2028 criteria, which consider a wider range of occupants and crash circumstances.

The release discusses post-crash high-voltage battery performance, child-presence detection and the use of simulations alongside physical testing. These results describe the tested models and specifications; they should not be extended to every vehicle from the same manufacturer.

ANCAP also identified room for improvement in everyday cabin controls. It criticised excessive reliance on touchscreens for frequently used functions, including lights, wipers and demisting. A headline star rating and the usability of individual controls are separate things to examine.

When researching a car, read its full rating report and check the applicable build dates and variant coverage. During a stationary demonstration, locate the controls you would use in poor visibility or an unfamiliar situation. The practical question is not just how modern the screen looks, but how easily you can operate essential functions while keeping attention on driving.