MANILA, Philippines (Sep 2026) – Thinking about switching to a compact electric car no longer means worrying about crash protection, as the GAC Aion UT has officially earned the maximum five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP under its 2026 testing criteria. Evaluated against Europe’s rigorous safety standards, the electric hatchback delivered strong scores across all four evaluation categories.
Impressive protection where it counts
In crash protection testing, the compact EV achieved a 91% score, offering reliable defense for both adult occupants and child passengers. Safety inspectors reported good or adequate physical protection across frontal offset and side barrier tests, while side pole impact tests earned full points thanks to a center airbag designed to prevent front-seat occupants from colliding with each other. For child safety, the vehicle scored maximum points for child dummies seated in the rear.
It also scored 88% in post-crash safety. Electric side windows remain operational for more than two minutes after water submergence, allowing occupants time to escape if trapped.
Smart avoidance features and cabin technology
The vehicle scored 74% in crash avoidance and 66% in safe driving assessments. Standard active safety systems include autonomous emergency braking, which performed well in complex scenarios such as detecting cyclists and preventing dooring incidents.
While the safety suite impressed overall, testers pointed out a few areas needing refinement. The speed limit recognition feature logged a 68% accuracy rate during real-world road tests, falling below Euro NCAP targets. Testers also highlighted the car’s heavy reliance on its central touchscreen for primary driving controls rather than physical switches.
What this means for Pinoy EV buyers
In the Philippines, the GAC Aion UT Elite made its public debut at the 13th Philippine EV Summit with a competitive price tag of PHP 998,000 (approx. $17,200). The five-seater hatchback comes powered by a 100kW electric motor generating 240Nm of torque, paired with a 44.12kWh Magazine battery that offers a claimed driving range of up to 420 kilometers. Inside the cabin, drivers get a 14.6-inch central control touchscreen alongside an 8.9-inch digital instrument cluster. Local units are backed by an eight-year or 160,000-kilometer vehicle warranty and an eight-year or 200,000-kilometer battery warranty.
