XPeng has just entered the Philippine market recently, highlighting intelligent driving tech as the main feature of their vehicles. For those curious about its safety, well this development could answer your lingering questions.

The XPeng X9 has achieved a five-star rating in a test conducted by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) under its latest 2026-2028 safety assessment criteria.

During frontal, side-impact, and run-off-road crashes, the XPeng X9 recorded high scores in protecting occupants. ANCAP also highlighted its ability to protect occupants of different sizes, with virtual simulations and sled test data used to assess injury risks across a wider range of crash scenarios.

The electric people mover also performed well in assessments of its high-voltage battery following a collision. This includes a battery cell penetration test designed to determine whether physical damage could trigger a chain reaction that could lead to a fire.

Another key factor in the X9 getting five stars is that it is equipped with several safety features covered by ANCAP's latest criteria, including systems that detect improper seatbelt use and potentially unsafe occupant positioning. It also has a child presence detection system that can alert the driver if a child is left inside the vehicle.

XPeng has also equipped the X9 with the necessary hardware to support emergency calling (eCall) functionality, which is expected to become operational by October 2027.

However, ANCAP identified room for improvement in the people mover's in-cabin controls. The organization has been encouraging automakers to retain physical buttons for frequently used functions instead of relying heavily on touchscreen interfaces. These include controls for the headlights, windscreen wipers, demisters, side mirrors, hazard lights, audio, telephone, and climate systems. 

“Our 2026 safety rating requirements are comprehensive and ambitious, encouraging manufacturers to deliver a broader range of safety features and higher levels of protection,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Carla Hoorweg. 

She added that everyday driving functions should be simple to operate without distracting drivers, emphasizing the importance of bringing back physical buttons for frequently used controls. Nevertheless, the X9 has proved that it is one of the safest MPVs in the market today with this development.