To attain a 5-star rating under the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), vehicles must excel in all tests and incorporate advanced safety assist technologies.
The Seal impressed in various tests, earning top marks for protecting the driver in the oblique pole test and safeguarding child passengers in the side impact test. Furthermore, the EV achieved an 89% rating for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection, 82% for vulnerable road user protection, and 75% for safety assistance.
The Dolphin also performed admirably, scoring maximum points for protecting child occupants in both front and side-impact tests, along with an 85% rating for safeguarding vulnerable road users. Notably, this is the highest score among all new models tested by ANCAP in 2023, although it's important to mention that only the Seal, Dolphin, and Lexus RZ have undergone ANCAP's more rigorous 2023 testing regimen.
ANCAP's CEO, Carla Hoorweg, remarked, "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. 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 most affordable new electric vehicle available in Australia, starting at AU$38,890, undercutting the popular MG 4 by AU$100. However, it's the BYD Seal that has garnered significant attention locally, as it boasts a starting price of AU$49,888, significantly undercutting the entry-level Tesla Model 3 facelift, which starts at AU$61,900.
Source: ANCAP