ANCAP has awarded five-star safety ratings to the BYD Seal 06 DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan and the China-built Tesla Model Y L. The BYD led the latest test group with strong adult and child protection scores, while the Tesla SUV also posted solid results despite some child-seat installation issues.
The latest round of ANCAP crash testing has delivered five-star results for two China-made vehicles: the BYD Seal 06 DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan and the Tesla Model Y L. The BYD stood out as the top performer in the batch, while the longer three-row Tesla SUV also achieved a strong overall result.
For buyers, these results matter because ANCAP ratings are widely used in Australia and nearby markets as a benchmark for safety. A five-star score does not mean a vehicle is perfect, but it does indicate a high level of occupant protection, crash avoidance capability, and safety system performance under ANCAP’s assessment regime.
BYD Seal 06 DM-i posts the strongest result in the group
The BYD Seal 06 DM-i, sold in China as the Seal 06, earned 92% in Adult Occupant Protection. ANCAP said the sedan performed well in the full-width frontal test, the oblique pole test, and side-impact assessment, with the passenger cell remaining stable.
In the frontal offset test, the driver dummy recorded impact loads, suggesting protection for the lower legs and chest was adequate rather than exceptional. Even so, the overall cabin integrity remained good, which is an important part of a strong crash result.
The car also achieved 90% in Child Occupant Protection. ANCAP reported that the critical body regions of the six-year-old and 10-year-old test dummies were well protected, although one selected booster seat could not be fitted properly in the centre rear seat position.
Protection for vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, was rated at 84%. ANCAP pointed to some areas around the pillars and windscreen that could pose a greater risk to pedestrians in a collision.
The Safety Assist score was 84%. The Seal 06 DM-i performed well in most autonomous emergency braking tests, but ANCAP noted more difficulty in one scenario involving a vehicle crossing its path, often described as a T-bone situation.
What the BYD Seal 06 DM-i is
The Seal 06 DM-i is a midsize, mass-market sedan measuring 4,840 mm long, 1,875 mm wide and 1,495 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,790 mm. It uses a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine rated at 70 kW (94 hp) paired with a 130 kW (174 hp) electric motor.
BYD says the car can travel up to 55 km on electric power alone under WLTP testing. In Australia, the model is listed at 34,990 AUD, or about 25,370 USD. The source article indicates the car was previously a major sales contributor for BYD in China, though Q1 2026 sales fell 39.7% year over year to 26,650 units as subsidies were gradually phased out, according to China EV DataTracker.
Tesla Model Y L also secures a five-star result
The China-made Tesla Model Y L was also awarded five stars by ANCAP, though the rating is based on the related five-seat Model Y with additional testing for the three-row variant. The SUV scored 91% in Adult Occupant Protection.
ANCAP found some challenges with child restraint installation in the second row because of top tether routing limitations. In the third row, rearward-facing and forward-facing convertible child restraints were not easy to install using the ISOFix anchorages. Those issues contributed to a Child Occupant Protection score of 84%.
The Model Y L scored 86% for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 92% for Safety Assist, showing particularly strong performance in its active safety systems.
The Tesla Model Y L is available to order in Australia at prices ranging from 74,900 to 89,400 AUD, which is about 54,275 to 69,145 USD. It measures 4,976 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,668 mm tall, with a 3,040 mm wheelbase. Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup producing 340 kW (456 hp), and Tesla claims up to 751 km of range on a single 82 kWh battery under CLTC conditions.
Why these results matter
These ratings show that Chinese-built vehicles are continuing to compete strongly in international safety testing. That is important for both consumers and the broader auto industry, because safety performance remains one of the main factors shaping buyer trust in new energy vehicles.
They also highlight how safety can vary within the same model family depending on body style and seating layout. The Model Y L’s third row adds practicality, but it also introduces new restraint-installation challenges that do not appear on the standard five-seat version.
Why This Matters
ANCAP ratings influence purchase decisions in Australia and other markets that rely on independent crash testing. Strong results for the BYD Seal 06 DM-i and Tesla Model Y L reinforce the idea that China-made EVs and plug-in hybrids can meet demanding safety standards.
The story also shows that safety is more than just crash survivability. Child-seat compatibility, pedestrian protection, and driver-assistance performance can materially affect the final rating and are increasingly important for families and fleet buyers.
Key Specs
- BYD Seal 06 DM-i: 4,840 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, 1,495 mm tall, 2,790 mm wheelbase
- BYD powertrain: 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, 70 kW (94 hp); electric motor, 130 kW (174 hp)
- BYD EV range: up to 55 km WLTP
- BYD ANCAP scores: Adult Occupant Protection 92%, Child Occupant Protection 90%, Vulnerable Road User Protection 84%, Safety Assist 84%
- Tesla Model Y L: 4,976 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1,668 mm tall, 3,040 mm wheelbase
- Tesla powertrain: dual-motor AWD, 340 kW (456 hp)
- Tesla battery/range: 82 kWh battery, up to 751 km CLTC
- Tesla ANCAP scores: Adult Occupant Protection 91%, Child Occupant Protection 84%, Vulnerable Road User Protection 86%, Safety Assist 92%
- Australia pricing: BYD Seal 06 DM-i from 34,990 AUD; Tesla Model Y L from 74,900 to 89,400 AUD
Source: CarNewsChina
