ANCAP five stars for GAC Aion UT, BYD M9 and Xpeng X9

Photo: GAC Aion UT EV Car at Universitas Widyatama, Wikimedia Commons (free licence).

Three electrified models from China – the GAC Aion UT small electric hatch, the BYD M9 plug-in hybrid people mover and the Xpeng X9 electric people mover – have all earned the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating. But ANCAP also criticised two of them for relying too much on the touchscreen for everyday driving controls.

GAC Aion UT

• Fully electric hatchback, launched in Australia earlier this year
• Safe Driving 68%, Crash Avoidance 74%, Crash Protection 90%, Post Crash 88%
• Described as a "particularly strong" performer in side-impact testing, with maximum scores for driver protection
• Lost points because many common functions are only available through the touchscreen, and its adaptive cruise control does not adapt to roundabouts and intersections

BYD M9

• Luxury plug-in "Super Hybrid" people mover
• Safe Driving 75%, Crash Avoidance 78%, Crash Protection 89%, Post Crash 100%
• ANCAP called its post-collision features, such as eCall and multi-collision braking, "of a high standard"

Xpeng X9

• Electric people mover and a direct rival to the BYD M9
• Safe Driving 56%, Crash Avoidance 82%, Crash Protection 91%, Post Crash 91%
• "Very high scores" in frontal, side and rear-impact tests, including maximum scores for driver, passengers and children in both frontal tests
• Lost points for relying "too heavily" on the screen for some key driving controls, which can increase driver distraction

Bring back the buttons

ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg said carmakers should bring back physical buttons for functions drivers use every day, such as wipers, headlights and demisting the windscreen, so they can be used without taking attention off the road.

What it means for rideshare drivers

• Drivers spend long hours behind the wheel, so simple, easy-to-reach controls matter as much as crash scores
• The BYD M9 and Xpeng X9 are large people movers, which can suit groups and passengers with luggage
• Before buying, test how easy the wipers, lights and demister are to use at night and in the rain

Source: CarExpert