BYD Seal EV Scores 5-Star In Latest Euro NCAP Crash Test Results

The soon-to-be-launched BYD Seal electric sedan has secured a 5-star safety rating in the latest round of safety tests by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). While Euro NCAP tested a left-hand drive model, the rating also applies to the right-hand drive version that is due to be launched in India soon.

In the adult occupant protection tests, the BYD Seal scored a respectable 35.8 points out of 40, receiving an 89 per cent rating. In the front impact test and lateral impact tests, the Seal EV scored 13.5 and 16 points out of a total of 16 points, respectively. In the rear impact as well as rescue and extrication tests, the electric sedan scored 3.7 and 2.5 points out of 4, respectively. Euro NCAP commented, "The passenger compartment of the Seal remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy numbers showed good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger." 

The Seal EV secured an 87 per cent rating, with a score of 43 points out of a total of 49, in child occupant protection tests. In crash test performance using a dummy of a 6-year-old and 10-year-old child, it received 24 points out of 24 that comprised frontal impact (16 points) and lateral impact (8 points). In the safety features test, the Seal EV received 7 points out of 13 as it does not come with integrated child restraint systems (CRS). It does come with ISOFIX, i-size car seats, top tether and child detection systems for front and rear seats. In the CRS installation checks, the Seal EV secured 12 points out of 12. Euro NCAP commented that BYD’s electric sedan provides good protection for all critical body parts for both child dummies. 

For the pedestrian protection tests, the Seal EV scored a decent 82 per cent rating, securing 51.7 points out of a total of 63 points. In the impact protection tests, it scored 27.9 points out of 36 and in the impact mitigation tests, it received 23.9 points out of 27. Euro NCAP commented that “protection to the head of a pedestrian or a cyclist was predominantly adequate, with poor results recorded only on the stiff windscreen pillars.”

Lastly, in the safety assists tests, the Seal got an average rating of 76 per cent, scoring 13.8 points out of a total of 18. Euro NCAP noted that “The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system of the BYD Seal performed well in tests of its reaction to other vehicles. The driver status monitoring system did not score highly, detecting only driver drowsiness.”

These results mean good news for BYD as safety ratings are now increasingly becoming an important factor in car buying decisions.