Three Chinese vehicles were evaluated in the latest Euro NCAP testing cycle: GAC Aion UT, Geely E2 (known as EX2 in Europe), and Leapmotor B05. All three automobiles achieved a five-star rating following the 2026 protocols, considered the most demanding applied by the European program. In contrast, the only European vehicle included in this group, the Cupra Raval, obtained four stars in its standard version.
This result has direct relevance to the Brazilian market, as two of the models are already available in the country. The Aion UT was launched in dealerships in June, with an initial price of R$ 139,990, while the Geely E2, sold in Brazil as EX2, costs from R$ 123,800. It is important to note, however, that the scores obtained refer to European specifications, which may differ from the safety equipment available in the national market, although this is not common in new Chinese cars.
The Aion UT, designed by GAC's design center in Milan and assembled by Magna in Austria, accumulated 66% in safe driving, 74% in collision prevention, 91% in crash protection, and 88% in post-collision safety. Euro NCAP pointed out criticisms regarding the strong dependence on the central screen and registered only 68% accuracy in speed limit recognition.
The Geely E2, which was the best-selling car in China the previous year and traded for approximately R$ 53 thousand in the country, demonstrated 79% in safe driving, 72% in collision prevention, 86% in crash protection, and 95% in post-collision safety. This model features standard child presence detection and physical controls for primary functions. However, the emergency automatic braking (AEB) showed inconsistencies, and the driver's leg protection was judged insufficient in decentralized frontal impacts.
As for the Leapmotor B05, it achieved 92% in crash protection, 66% in safe driving, 77% in collision prevention, and 89% in post-collision safety. Its AEB system was rated excellent both at high speeds and at intersections, but the vehicle lacked an adjustable occupant height restraint system.
The Cupra Raval, being the only European in this test battery, obtained 58% in safe driving and 66% in collision prevention in the standard version. When equipped with the optional safety package, these percentages increase to 72% and 77%, which is enough to earn the fifth star. Although its physical protection was one of the best in the round (91% and 95%), the model does not have child presence detection.
Aled Williams, program director of Euro NCAP, expressed a preference for seeing Cupra offer active technologies as standard items, despite recognizing that the optional package serves as a middle ground. He emphasized that the safety of Chinese cars has progressed significantly since the first Chinese model evaluated by the body in 2010. According to the 2025 protocols, the Kia K4 received four standard stars and five with the additional package, and the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabrio maintained the five stars of the CLE Coupe. Euro NCAP reported that Chinese manufacturers were responsible for 7% of new car sales in the European Union last year, and the number of Chinese models submitted to tests has grown almost tenfold since 2021.