After the BYD Atto 3 (Yuan Plus), the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) tested two other BYD models. They are Seal sedan and Dolphin hatchback. These vehicles both earned five stars during the crash test program. BYD Dolphin appeared to be friendlier to vulnerable road users while Seal has better child occupant protection.
Briefly on ANCAP
ANCAP was founded in 1992 as an independent vehicle safety rating in Australia and New Zealand. It stays close to the Euro NCAP program regarding crash tests and the assessment process. The Australian New Car Assessment Program comprises adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road users, and safety assist. Recently, ANCAP has tested two BYD EVs: Seal and Dolphin.
BYD Seal ANCAP result
The BYD Seal was launched in Australia on October 17, aiming to compete with the Tesla Model 3. Its entry-level model costs 49,888 AUD (31,500 USD). It is 12,102 AUD (7,610 USD) cheaper than the mentioned Model 3. The Seal can easily dominate the local EV market thanks to its low price tag. But it also needed to prove its safety.
The BYD Seal has become the second vehicle rated against new 2023 criteria, after the BMW iX3. Its overall result is five stars. According to the ANCAP press release, BYD Seal achieved full points for the protection of the driver and child passengers in the side impact test, and the driver in the oblique pole test. Its protection rate was assessed as adequate.
Speaking about numbers, the Seal earned 89% in the adult occupant protection segment. It has 5.92/8 points in the frontal offset test, 7.63/8 points in the full width frontal test, 6/6 points in the side impact, and 6/6 points in the oblique pole test.
The child occupant protection of the BYD Seal was assessed as good. However, it hasn’t achieved the highest score because of the absence of ISOFIX Anchorages, top tether anchorage, airbag disabling features for the front passenger, etc. The Seal’s overall result in this segment is 87%.
In vulnerable road user protection, the BYD Seal scored 82%. Its drawbacks were marginal performance in the cyclist dooring scenarios and marginal and poor results for protecting the pedestrian head hitting the windshield of front pillars. Otherwise, ANCAP assessed it as good.
As for the safety assist functions, the BYD Seal scored 75%, with the AEB Head-On system showing marginal performance. However, the overall result of the BYD Seal is good. According to ANCAP, it can avoid collisions with cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles. This sedan proved its safety.
BYD Dolphin ANCAP result
The BYD Dolphin starts from 38,890 AUD (24,535 USD) in Australia. It is 100 AUD (63 USD) cheaper than the electric MG4. The Dolphin got five stars in the ANCAP assessment program. The adult occupant protection segment achieved 89% with a marginal protection level of the driver’s chest in the frontal offset. This is why the Dolphin scored 5.68/8 points in the frontal offset test.
The child occupant protection of the Dolphin got 86%, scoring maximum points in both frontal and side-impact tests. In the vulnerable road users segment, the Dolphin achieved marginal and poor results for protecting the pedestrian head hitting the windshield of front pillars. And still, its performance is slightly different from the Seal’s score.
And the safety assist of the BYD Dolphin got 77%. In contrast with the Seal, its AEB Head-On system showed adequate performance.
Source: ANCAP
Also received 5 stars from Euro NCAP.
This is Euro NCAP videos and pictures. LOL