Five-star safety for BYD Atto 3 and Volvo C40 Recharge
Words: Harrison Wade
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has released its safety ratings for the BYD Atto 3 and Volvo C40 Recharge electric SUVs, with both models scoring a full five-stars.
BYD has been on a roll lately with the arrival of its Atto 3 being received well by Kiwis as sales have already surpassed the 500 mark within its first few months of the model being here.
The model can now add to its claim to fame with a five-star safety rating, scoring well in all four areas of ANCAP’s assessment programme.
Both New Zealand market Standard and Extended Range models were used throughout testing in which full scores were awarded for driver protection in the side impact and far-side impact tests.
Whiplash protection for front and rear seat occupants also scored well, and maximum points were achieved for the protection of child occupants in the side impact and frontal offset crash tests.
In terms of its active safety features, the Atto 3 also scored highly with its standard-fit pedestrian and cyclist-detecting autonomous emergency braking system.
“This five-star ANCAP safety rating for the BYD ATTO 3 will no doubt come as welcome news to New Zealand buyers looking for a safe and green choice within its price-point,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Carla Hoorweg.
The Volvo C40 Recharge was also awarded a five-star safety rating for both its single and twin electric motor variants.
Maximum points were given for driver and front passenger protection in the frontal offset test, as well as for the driver in the full width frontal test, side impact test, oblique pole test, and both of the far-side impact tests.
Both the Atto 3 and C40 Recharge scored maximum points for child occupant protection in the side impact and frontal offset crash tests.
Full points were given for the C40 Recharge’s active safety capability as well as its lane support system (LSS) which prevents the vehicle from running off the road. It also scored well for its autonomous emergency braking capability.
