BYD Australia is aiming to maintain its flawless record of five-star ANCAP safety ratings across its vehicle lineup as it continues expanding in the Australian market. However, the company acknowledges the challenge of balancing top-tier safety features with the need to offer competitively priced vehicles that appeal to value-focused buyers. This approach stands in contrast to several rival manufacturers, some of whom have recently introduced models with disappointing safety scores. For example, the MG 5 initially arrived in Australia with a concerning zero-star ANCAP rating in 2024 and only recently improved to a three-star rating after safety upgrades were added.
In the past year, several well-known vehicles, such as the Cupra Tavascan, Honda CR-V, MG ZS, Hyundai i30 Sedan, Jeep Avenger, MG 3, Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Kona, and Mahindra Scorpio, have failed to achieve the maximum five-star rating. In light of these results, BYD continues to emphasize safety as a core principle. Sajid Hasan, Head of Product for BYD Australia, stressed the importance of safety in all product decisions. “Safety is the top priority for us. All of our cars will take it very seriously, and we strive to equip every vehicle with the highest level of safety that the platform can support,” he said. Hasan added that BYD would even reconsider introducing an already-developed model to the Australian market if it doesn’t meet their safety standards.
As of now, BYD Australia offers six models, all of which have achieved a five-star ANCAP rating. Among these, the Atto 3 performed especially well in adult occupant protection tests, scoring 91 percent—though it was rated under the older 2022 testing protocols. Other models such as the Sealion 7, Shark 6, Dolphin, Seal, and Sealion 6 also performed strongly, achieving adult occupant protection scores ranging from 85 to 89 percent. All six vehicles scored at least 84 percent in child occupant protection, with the Sealion 7 leading at 93 percent. Vulnerable road user protection scores ranged from 69 to 85 percent, and the safety assist category showed results between 75 and 86 percent, with the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute scoring highest.
Looking ahead, BYD plans to introduce its smallest electric SUV yet—the Atto 2—by the end of this year. In early 2026, the larger Sealion 8 is also expected to arrive. Although it's still too early to confirm whether these new models will also earn five-star ratings, Hasan expressed the company’s commitment to achieving that goal. He noted that BYD will continuously evaluate the implications of a five-star rating in terms of engineering, safety technology, and overall vehicle pricing.