Geely EX2 and GAC Aion UT Outperform European Models in World’s Most Rigorous Safety Test

The three Chinese cars evaluated in the most recent round of Euro NCAP tests — GAC Aion UT, Geely E2 (EX2’s name in Europe) and Leapmotor B05 — earned five stars under the 2026 protocols, the strictest ever applied by the European program. The only European car in the group, the Cupra Raval, received four stars in the series version.

The result serves Brazil directly, since two of these are already sold here. The Aion UT hit stores in June, starting at R$ 139.990, and the Geely E2 is sold in the country as EX2, starting at R$ 123.800. The notes, however, are valid for the European versions, which may have different safety equipment than the national one – although this is not normal in new Chinese cars.

Designed by GAC’s style center in Milan and assembled by Magna in Austria, the Aion UT scored 66 percent in safe driving, 74 percent in collision avoidance, 91 percent in crash protection and 88 percent in post-collision safety. Euro NCAP criticized the over-reliance on the central display and the accuracy of only 68 percent in recognizing speed limits.

China’s best-selling loses points in braking

The Geely E2, China’s best-selling car last year and traded there for about R$ 53 thousand, registered 79% in safe driving, 72% in collision avoidance, 86% in collision protection and 95% in post-collision safety. It brings detection of the presence of children as standard and physical commands in the main functions. But automatic emergency braking (AEB) proved to be inconsistent and the protection of the driver’s legs was considered insufficient in the off-center frontal impact.

The Leapmotor B05 had 92% in collision protection, 66% in safe driving, 77% in collision avoidance and 89% in post-collision safety. Its AEB was rated exceptional at high speed and at intersections, but the car lacked a restraint system adaptable to the heights of the occupants.

Raval only reaches five stars with optional

package The only European in this battery of tests, the Cupra Raval scored 58% in safe driving and 66% in collision avoidance as standard. With the optional safety package, both rise to 72% and 77%, enough for the fifth star. Physical protection was among the best in the round (91% and 95%), but the model lacks the detection of the presence of children.

For Aled Williams, program director of Euro NCAP, it would be preferable for Cupra to offer active technologies as standard, even if the package serves as a middle ground. According to him, the safety of Chinese cars has evolved dramatically since the country’s first model evaluated by the body, in 2010.

By the 2025 protocols, the Kia K4 obtained four stars as standard and five with the optional package, and the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabrio inherited the five stars from the CLE Coupé. According to Euro NCAP, the Chinese accounted for 7% of new car registrations in the European Union last year, and the number of models in the country tested has grown almost tenfold since 2021.