The 2024 BYD Sealion 6, a plug-in hybrid SUV, has recently been awarded a five-star safety rating by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). This achievement further solidifies BYD's commitment to safety in the Australian market.

ANCAP Safety Scores

The BYD Sealion 6 performed impressively across all four major testing categories:

  • Adult Occupant Protection: 88%
  • Child Occupant Protection: 86%
  • Vulnerable Road User Protection: 83%
  • Safety Assist: 75%

These scores demonstrate the vehicle's strong all-round safety performance, putting it on par with popular competitors in the medium SUV segment.

Key Safety Features

The Sealion 6 comes equipped with seven airbags as standard, contributing to its high score in occupant protection. Some of the standout safety features include:

  • Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system capable of detecting cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles
  • Lane departure warning and lane keeping assistance
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert

Highlights from Crash Tests

  • Maximum points awarded for rear passenger protection in the full-width frontal test
  • Full points for critical body protection in the frontal offset test
  • Strong performance in various other crash scenarios

Areas for Improvement

While the overall performance was impressive, there were a few areas where the Sealion 6 showed room for improvement:

  • The vehicle was docked 3.82 out of a possible 8.0 penalty points for posing a 'moderate' risk to oncoming vehicles in a crash
  • The reverse autonomous braking system received a 'marginal' performance rating
  • The cyclist anti-dooring system provided warnings that were deemed not sufficiently early

ANCAP Chief Executive Officer's Statement

Carla Hoorweg, ANCAP CEO, praised BYD's continued commitment to safety, stating: "The Sealion 6 is the fourth five-star-rated model from BYD, joining the Seal, Dolphin, and Atto3 in achieving top safety ratings."

Market Position

The BYD Sealion 6 has sold 2,096 units in Australia to date, representing a 5% share of the medium SUV segment priced under $60,000. This five-star safety rating is expected to further boost its appeal in the competitive Australian market.

Conclusion

The 2024 BYD Sealion 6's five-star ANCAP safety rating demonstrates that Chinese manufacturers are capable of producing vehicles that meet the highest safety standards. This achievement not only enhances BYD's reputation but also provides Australian consumers with another safe and technologically advanced option in the medium SUV segment.

For potential buyers, this rating offers peace of mind, knowing that the Sealion 6 provides excellent protection for occupants and vulnerable road users alike. As always, while safety ratings are crucial, they should be considered alongside other factors such as performance, efficiency, and value when making a purchasing decision.

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