Two of the most eagerly-awaited electric vehicles to land on Australian shores, the BYD Seal and BYD Dolphin, have both been awarded 5-star ANCAP safety ratings.
To achieve a 5-star rating under the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, vehicles are required to attain the highest standards in all tests and feature advanced safety assist technologies. The Seal received full marks for protecting the driver in the oblique pole test and the child passengers in the side impact test. Additionally, the EV scored 89% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection, 82% for vulnerable road user protection, and 75% for safety assistance.
The Dolphin also performed well and received maximum points for protecting child occupants in front and side-impact tests and an 85% score for the protection of vulnerable road users. This is the highest score among all new models tested by ANCAP in 2023, although it’s worth noting that only the Seal, Dolphin, and Lexus RZ have been subjected to ANCAP’s more stringent 2023 testing regime.
Read: 2024 BYD Seal Launched In Australia, Undercuts Tesla Model 3 By AU$12,000
“Our 2023 test and rating criteria have introduced further requirements for high levels of structural protection as well as new challenges for manufacturers in the area of active safety systems and, pleasingly, the three models rated so far this year have each achieved five-star ratings,” ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg said. “This is a trend we’d like to see continue as we finalize testing and assessments on a number of new models later this year.”
The BYD Dolphin is the cheapest new electric vehicle on sale in Australia starting at AU$38,890 ($25,089) plus on-road costs, allowing it to undercut the popular MG 4 by AU$100. However, it is the BYD Seal that has generated the most buzz locally after it was announced with an AU$49,888 ($32,185) starting price, significantly undercutting the entry-level Tesla Model 3 facelift that starts at AU$61,900 ($39,934).
