13:49 16-11-2025

BYD and Mitsubishi say ANCAP star ratings confuse buyers

BYD Australia argues that ANCAP’s star system has grown so intricate that the average buyer struggles to tell apart ratings issued under different years and test protocols. Head of the brand Stephen Collins said the three-year update cycle and the swelling list of criteria have turned safety scoring into something of a maze.

ANCAP has already tried to streamline things by introducing a six-year expiry period for ratings, yet the perception problem persists. In the meantime, all current BYD models hold five stars against the standards of their time, while many rivals — from the Hyundai Kona to the Suzuki Swift — now sit on four or even three. From a showroom perspective, star counts without context risk sending mixed signals, especially when protocols evolve faster than brochures.

Collins emphasized that the brand aims for maximum safety, including mandatory eCall on new models such as the Sealion 8. Even so, BYD is prepared to launch a four-star car if that configuration better matches what customers are asking for.

Mitsubishi takes a similar stance: the company believes that chasing five stars is becoming too expensive and not always justified. Under the latest protocols, a four-star vehicle can be safer than an older five-star one, but conveying that nuance to buyers remains a challenge. It’s a reminder that context matters as much as the final score, and clarity can be as valuable to shoppers as the stars themselves.