The GAC AION UT has secured a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating under the organisation’s tougher 2026 assessment protocols.
Euro NCAP gave the electric hatchback 91% for crash protection, 88% for post-crash safety, 74% for crash avoidance and 66% for safe driving. The rating applies to both Premium and Luxury versions, including right-hand-drive cars.
Crash protection was the AION UT’s strongest area. Euro NCAP found protection good or adequate for occupants in the frontal-offset test, while both child dummies scored maximum points. The car also gained full marks in the side-pole test, including far-side protection aided by a centre airbag.
Results were less consistent for vulnerable road users. Head protection for a struck pedestrian or cyclist was rated poor or weak over several areas of the car, although protection for the pelvis, femur and tibia scored maximum points.
The AION UT also performed well in several autonomous emergency braking scenarios and includes a system designed to prevent a door being opened into the path of an approaching cyclist.
Driver monitoring scored well for distraction and impairment detection, although Euro NCAP criticised the limited use of physical controls for some key driving functions. Its speed-limit recognition system also fell short of the threshold needed for full points.
Post-crash measures include automatic high-voltage deactivation, automatic door unlocking and electrically operated side windows that remain functional for more than two minutes following vehicle submergence.
The AION UT was one of three Chinese EVs to receive five stars in Euro NCAP’s latest round, alongside the Geely E2 and Leapmotor B05.
Euro NCAP introduced substantially revised testing protocols for 2026, placing greater emphasis on real-world driving, crash avoidance and post-crash performance.
