Two new electric SUV models achieve top safety ratings

ANCAP Safety says it has championed the message since 2022 that new cars can be both green and safe.

It says the announcement of five-star ratings for the BYD Sealion 7 and the Geely EX5 reinforces this message.

ANCAP Safety says this brings the total number of five-star electrified models (including battery-electric, fuel cell and hybrid-electric vehicles) to 98.

BYD Sealion 7

An electric Medium SUV, the Sealion 7 has become the latest in BYD’s expanding local lineup to achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating, following closely behind the recently assessed BYD Shark 6. Testing of the Sealion 7 highlighted strong performance across the four key assessment areas, including scores of 87% for Adult Occupant Protection where the model achieved full points for the side impact, oblique pole and far side impact tests. Weak chest protection was, however, recorded for the rear adult passenger’s chest in the full-width test, presenting an opportunity for improvement in future designs. 

The family SUV scored 93% for Child Occupant Protection – equalling the top score for vehicles assessed under ANCAP’s current 2023-2025 protocols. Protection of the 6-year-old and 10-year-old dummies was rated Good for the frontal offset and side impact tests, and maximum points were awarded. The Sealion 7 is fitted with a direct child presence detection (CPD) system which raises an alert when a child is left in one of the vehicle’s rear seats. 

High scores were awarded for the BYD Sealion 7’s performance in autonomous emergency braking tests with a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, and other vehicles, contributing to scores of 76% for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 78% for Safety Assist. 

“As electrified vehicles continue to advance technologically, it’s encouraging to see equal investment in safety, ensuring that innovation and the protection of drivers, passengers and families go hand in hand,” ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg says.

“Around 5,000 children are rescued from locked cars every year in Australia and, sadly, we have seen recent instances with tragic consequences. ANCAP strongly encourages the inclusion of features like child presence detection systems that can alert a driver when a child may have been unintentionally left in a car – this safety feature belongs on every family’s shopping list when purchasing a new car.” Hoorweg says.

Geely EX5

Geely has landed in the Australasian market, with its EX5 battery-electric Medium SUV becoming the brand’s first model to be awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating. 

In tests of the Geely EX5’s ability to avoid a crash through its advanced driver assistance systems, many scenarios were assessed as Good, including in lane support and in car-to-motorcycle tests, where full points were awarded. 

In physical crash testing, full points were awarded in the side impact, whiplash, and far side tests. However, in the frontal offset (MPDB) test, which simulates a head-on collision, several welds around the base of the A-pillar became detached. Geely demonstrated that the vehicle’s structure did not incur significantly greater damage in a more severe test, however a penalty was applied to the scoring. As with the Sealion 7, protection of the rear adult passenger’s chest was rated as Weak in the full-width frontal test. 

The Geely EX5 achieved an 87% score for Child Occupant Protection, with Good protection for both the 6-year-old and 10-year-old dummies, except for the neck protection for the 10-year-old dummy in the MPDB test, which was Adequate. A direct child presence detection (CPD) system is also standard on the Geely EX5, however, this system did not meet the ANCAP requirements and was unable to achieve any points. 

“Geely has made a confident entrance into the Australian and New Zealand markets with the Geely EX5, landing a five-star result right out of the gate,” Hoorweg says. 

“The Geely EX5 delivers good overall safety performance and sets a benchmark for Geely’s local presence.”