The BYD Seal and Dolphin as well as the Xpeng P7 have just obtained their EuroNCAP crash test results. And the least we can say is that the three Chinese cars have absolutely nothing to envy of the European models in terms of safety.
For several months, Chinese manufacturers have been more and more people are trying their luck on the European market. This had already started with their massive arrival at the Paris Motor Show, while several manufacturers have now started marketing them on the Old Continent. Which does not really please the European Union, which has unveiled several measures to limit the damage to the economy.
Good results
But that’s not all, because Brussels has also opened a vast investigation into subsidies granted to national manufacturers by the Chinese government. Accusations to which the country responded, while certain brands want to calm things down. Regardless, cars from the Middle Kingdom leave no one indifferent.
But in addition to their impact on the economy, they also cause concern regarding security. Indeed, their price is generally much lower to that of the models sold here, which goes hand in hand in the collective imagination with savings on certain aspects. However, it seems that this is not really the reality. We remember in particular how the MG4 performed well in the Euro NCAP crash tests last year.
More recently, the Nio ET5 and EL7 obtained excellent marks during this procedure, carried out by an independent European body. And now a new batch of tests has just been carried out: the results have just come in. This time, and as announced in the Euro NCAP press release, three models were tested, namely the BYD Seal and Dolphin, as well as the Xpeng P7.
The first two have already started their marketing in France: we therefore recently had the opportunity to take the wheel. The 3rd should arrive a little later, but it is already sold on European soil. And the least we can say is thatthey have nothing to envy of their European rivals in terms of safety, since they all show very good results.
Maximum marks
And for good reason, the three electric vehicles obtained the maximum rating of five stars in these tests. Note that these are not mandatory for a car to be marketed, even if a good result remains an excellent selling point against certain rivals. With a rating of 89% for adult occupant protection and 87% for children, the BYD Seal and Dolphin are a hit.
Thus, they even surpass the Tesla Model S, one of the safest electric cars on the market. The Chinese sedan is, however, slightly below the compact in terms of safety for the most vulnerable users such as pedestrians. Both obtain 82 and 85% respectively.. The Dolphin also does a little better in terms of safety equipment, since it obtains a score of 79% compared to 76% for its big sister.
Finally, the Xpeng P7 has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of compared to its two fellow citizens, since it also obtains very good results. The electric sedan rivaling the Tesla Model 3 received a score of 87% for the protection of adult occupants and 81% for children. A similar score for vulnerable road users. Finally, it obtains a 78% in terms of driving aids, while it is equipped with numerous standard equipment.
Overall, electric cars seem rather safe, as also proven by the excellent results of the Kia EV6 and Volvo C40 Recharge, while Mercedes even tested a collision between two vehicles. However, most battery models must be sent to the scrapyard after an impact, due to a design that does not allow it to be checked whether the accumulator has been hit.