Huawei’s Aito M8 is once again in the spotlight after securing the prestigious “five stars +” grade in the C-NCAP crash and safety evaluation, making it the safest car in China under the 2024 standards. The full-size new energy crossover, developed in partnership with Seres, has already proven its popularity with more than 56,000 units delivered since its market debut in April 2025.
The C-NCAP program, run by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC), assesses vehicles across multiple categories, including protection for occupants, safety of vulnerable road users, and advanced driver assistance systems.
Scores are calculated as percentages and then converted into star ratings, with “five stars +” representing the highest possible recognition.
Aito M8 earns top C-NCAP score, surpassing Xiaomi SU7
The Aito M8 SUV got a score of 93.7% in the latest C-NCAP safety evaluation, making it the highest-rated vehicle under the 2024 standard. The entry-level six-seat EREV version excelled in the Active Safety category with 96.34%, nearly 10% above the average of tested cars, with its Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) and lighting systems were rated nearly flawless, CarNewsChina reported.
With this result, the Huawei- and Seres-developed SUV outperformed the Xiaomi SU7 sedan, which scored 93.5%, further cementing its position as China’s safest car. For impartiality, C-NCAP vehicles are anonymously purchased from dealerships before testing.
In occupant protection, the Aito M8 Max achieved a strong score of 96.26%, which is 5.6% above the average. During real collision tests, it earned 83.3 points out of a possible 88, showing solid performance across scenarios such as frontal barrier crashes, overlapping frontal impacts, side collisions, and side pillar impacts.
The SUV also excelled in protecting vulnerable road users, scoring 86.03 percent, which is 7.3 percent higher than the average. This category covers pedestrian head and leg protection, as well as evaluations of the vehicle’s AEB system.
Top five cars in China’s 2024 C-NCAP safety tests
The list of all the cars that made it to the top of the 2024 C-NCAP safety and crash evaluation includes some of the most advanced new energy vehicles on the market. The Aito M8 EREV, is followed closely by the Xiaomi SU7, while the Zeekr Mix also secured a strong position, with the Mazda EZ-6 and the Li Auto L6 completing the top five. For everyday drivers, the results show which models offer the strongest protection and peace of mind on the road.
The leader of the pack, the Aito M8 EREV, is powered by a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing a peak output of 526 hp (392 kW). Under the hood, it features a 1.5-liter turbocharged range extender.
The SUV comes with either a 37 kWh LFP battery or a 53.4 kWh ternary NMC battery, offering an estimated range of 125 miles and 193 miles, respectively, under the CLTC cycle. With the range extender included, the total driving range reaches approximately 873 miles or 948 miles, making it one of the longest-range electric crossovers currently available.
