This new luxury car didn’t just pass a crash test — it sets a new benchmark

Most people still associate Huawei with smartphones, laptops, and telecom equipment, not with cars smashing through brutal crash tests. For years, Chinese-made products carried a reputation for cutting corners, but that perception has quietly become outdated. The Huawei Maestro S800 is a sharp reminder of how far China’s automotive and technology ambitions have advanced. What its recent crash test revealed was not just impressive durability, but a level of engineering and safety sophistication that signals China is no longer catching up; in fact, it is setting benchmarks.

The crash test

The Maestro S800 is turning heads for how it handled one of the most extreme crash tests ever recorded. It isn’t a standard safety test you would expect in the US or Europe. Huawei tested the cabin safety with a 9-ton heavy-duty truck that collided head-on with the S800. We’re seeing firsthand how modern engineering and advanced safety systems can redefine what it means to be “crash-proof.” Competing with Mercedes-Benz and BMW in the luxury EV segment, the S800 shows that Chinese automakers are aiming to be leaders in innovation and technology.

The Maestro S800’s crash test made waves across the automotive world, showcasing a level of safety rarely seen in production vehicles. The car is one of the most structurally secure electric vehicles on the market today, and the crash test results are not just good but remarkable.

The highly publicized demonstration shows a 9-ton heavy-duty truck striking the S800 head-on at 30 miles/h. Observers expected severe damage to the cabin and high risk for occupants, yet the passenger space remained completely intact, and all onboard safety systems responded perfectly.

This remarkable performance highlights the effectiveness of the S800’s Schwan Woo safety architecture, which uses over 92% ultra-high-strength steel and lightweight aluminum to absorb and redirect crash energy. And with it, we see the potential of combining advanced materials with predictive engineering. Beyond its structural strength, the S800 integrates smart safety technologies that anticipate and mitigate risk.

Features include a safety system that automatically tightens seat belts, adjusts seat positions, closes windows, and unlocks doors when a collision is imminent. The Angel Seat system optimizes occupant posture for maximum protection, while sensors continuously monitor the surroundings to react to hazards in real time. This extreme crash test goes far beyond typical NHTSA or Euro NCAP protocols and sets a new benchmark for automotive safety. It also offers a glimpse into the future of luxury vehicles that blend predictive technology with robust engineering to protect passengers in even the most extreme scenarios.

New contender in luxury EVs

The crash test might be what’s in the headlines now, but the Maestro S800 is also quite impressive in its luxury and design. At almost 18 feet long, it approaches the size of a Rolls-Royce Ghost and surpasses most long-wheelbase Mercedes S-Class models. Its Star Horizon design includes galaxy-inspired LED headlights, a waterfall grille, and a sleek fastback silhouette.

Compared to competitors like the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan, the S800 stands out for combining size and affordability, with a starting price of just $98,330 USD, well below comparable Western luxury EVs. Some people online are so impressed, they’re referring to it as the “Chinese Maybach“:

Luxury tech and performance

Huawei Maestro S800 is described as a “land yacht from the year 2050 that challenges Western luxury sedans”. It surpasses the long-wheelbase Mercedes S-Class and approaches Rolls-Royce Ghost territory in size. The Star Horizon design language, galaxy-inspired LED headlights, a waterfall grille, and polished 21-inch wheels give the S800 a commanding presence and a fastback silhouette. This is hyper-luxury at a fraction of the cost of any competitor.

Inside, the S800 feels like an executive suite on wheels. The rear zero-gravity seats recline to 148.5 degrees, redistributing body weight for a floating sensation. A 43-speaker Dolby Atmos system, pop-out aluminum tables, a built-in refrigerator, and a 40-inch OLED privacy screen create an immersive, customizable experience. Ambient lighting synchronized with the night sky and the music, along with sound-shield technology, isolates rear passengers from front-cabin noise. This combination of comfort and attention to detail makes the S800’s interior rival vehicles costing three to four times as much.

The performance and engineering on it are equally impressive. The S800 is available as a Pure EV with 97 kWh dual motors (523 hp, 430 miles/700 km range) or as an Extended Range EV with a 1.5L turbo generator, extending total range to 800 miles/1,300 km. It rides on a touring chassis with air suspension and rear-wheel steering up to 12 degrees, enabling tight maneuvers and even a “crabwalk” mode.

As far as safety and tech go, a submarine-grade steel chassis, a roof that withstands 16 tons of pressure, and Huawei ADS 3.0 with LIDAR and radar sensors provide extreme protection. We are now starting to see that modern Chinese EVs can outclass Western luxury vehicles in design and value.

Takeaway

The Maestro S800 is an example of what’s possible when luxury and safety are pushed to the limit. Its size and design rival those of top-end Rolls-Royce and Mercedes models, while the interior is packed with high-end features like zero-gravity seats and a starry-sky roof. The performance is remarkable, with dual-motor and extended-range options, as well as rear-wheel steering. But what really sets it apart right now is safety. In a 9-ton crash test at 30 miles/h, the S800’s cabin stayed intact, thanks to the ultra-high-strength steel and aluminum and predictive systems like Gemini and Angel Seat. For a starting price under $100,000, it delivers more than any Western luxury EVs can for costing twice as much. And for the luxury market, it’s a clear warning that the bar is rising and there’s new competition in luxury EVs.