Denza B5 secures 5-star ANCAP safety rating

The newly introduced Denza B5 has achieved a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, with the result covering all variants of the plug-in hybrid SUV launched in Australia and New Zealand in December 2025. The rating, based on ANCAP’s latest 2023–25 criteria, highlights the model’s strong crash performance, extensive airbag coverage, and a wide suite of advanced driver-assist technologies fitted as standard.

With high scores in both occupant protection categories and impressive capability in cyclist, pedestrian and motorcyclist avoidance, the Denza B5 demonstrates the safety focus of BYD’s premium Denza sub-brand as it expands into the Australian market.

Breaking down the scores

Adult Occupant Protection – 86%

The Denza B5 performed strongly in crash testing, with the passenger compartment remaining stable in the frontal offset test. While dummy readings showed adequate protection for the driver’s chest, all other critical body regions for both front occupants were rated good.

Side-impact performance was excellent, with the Denza B5 scoring maximum points, and the centre airbag fitted as standard, providing good protection against occupant-to-occupant head contact.

The oblique pole test revealed marginal protection for the driver’s chest, but otherwise strong results. ANCAP also confirmed the vehicle’s doors and windows remain operable for the required duration during submergence, and multi-collision braking is fitted as standard. The Denza B5 scored 34.71 out of 40 points.

Child Occupant Protection – 95%

This was the Denza B5’s strongest area. Crash tests for both 6-year-old and 10-year-old dummies returned good protection across all critical body regions with 46.81 out of 49 points.

ISOFix anchorages are provided on the second-row outboard seats, with top-tether anchorages available for all second-row positions. Most child restraints could be installed without issue.

Denza has also equipped the B5 with a direct child presence detection system as standard across all seats, a feature still uncommon in the segment. The system escalates warnings and can automatically activate the air-conditioning if the driver does not respond.

Vulnerable Road User Protection – 74%

Pedestrian head protection ranged from good to adequate across most of the bonnet and windscreen, although the base of the windscreen, A-pillars and the front bonnet edge produced marginal to poor results. Pelvis protection was rated poor with 47.01 out of 63 points, though femur and lower-leg protection were good.

Forward AEB performance was good in pedestrian and cyclist scenarios, including turning situations. In reverse AEB tests, performance was marginal. For cyclists, the B5 avoided or mitigated collisions in all tested scenarios, and also offers cyclist anti-dooring alerts.

Motorcyclist detection and avoidance capability was another strong point, with the AEB system earning full points, including in turning and emergency lane-keeping tests.

Safety Assist – 78%

The Denza B5 is equipped with a comprehensive suite of active safety technologies, contributing to its Safety Assist score of 14.07 out of 18. Its autonomous emergency braking system covers vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, with junction, crossing and head-on crash-avoidance functions that mostly achieved ‘Good’ results in ANCAP testing.

The SUV also includes lane departure warning, lane keep assist, emergency lane keeping, blind spot monitoring and intelligent adaptive cruise control with speed sign recognition. Seatbelt reminders are fitted to all seating positions, and a direct driver-monitoring system helps detect fatigue and distraction, though it only issues warnings and does not intervene, costing the B5 some points. Overall, these systems deliver strong real-world crash-prevention capability.

Standard safety equipment

The Denza B5 offers an extensive list of safety features across all variants, with a strong emphasis on both crash protection and crash avoidance. Key safety equipment includes:

• Airbags: Dual frontal airbags, side chest-protecting airbags for front and second-row seats, and side head-protecting curtain airbags for both front and second-row passengers. A centre airbag between the front seats is also standard, reducing injury risk from occupant-to-occupant contact in side impacts.
• Lane support systems: Standard lane departure warning (LDW), lane keep assist (LKA), and emergency lane keeping (ELK) help prevent unintentional road departures and assist critical manoeuvres.
• Speed Assistance System: Includes speed sign recognition and intelligent adaptive cruise control, allowing the vehicle to automatically adjust its set speed to match posted limits.
• Blind spot monitoring: Alerts the driver to vehicles in adjacent lanes to improve safety during lane changes.
• Driver monitoring: A direct driver-monitoring system is fitted as standard to identify fatigue and distraction and issue timely warnings.
• Seatbelt reminders: Intelligent seatbelt reminders are fitted to all seating positions.
• Cyclist dooring detection: Warns occupants when a cyclist is approaching as the driver’s door is opened.
• Multi-collision braking: Automatically applies the brakes after an initial crash to help prevent or lessen the severity of secondary impacts.

What does ANCAP say about this result?

ANCAP says the Denza B5’s 5-star result reflects the strong safety performance expected of a new entrant in the competitive large SUV segment. The organisation highlighted the B5’s well-rounded crash protection across frontal, side and far-side impact tests, as well as its high-scoring child safety performance. ANCAP also commended the model’s extensive active safety suite, noting that its AEB, lane support and motorcycle-detection capabilities performed at a consistently high standard during assessment.

ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg said the Denza B5 showcases how newer brands entering the Australasian market are meeting, and in some areas exceeding, ANCAP’s most stringent requirements. She emphasised that the latest round of assessments highlights how manufacturers are advancing structural safety and crash-avoidance technologies as consumer expectations and testing standards continue to evolve.

According to ANCAP, the Denza B5’s result provides reassurance to family buyers, fleets and private SUV owners that the vehicle offers strong protection not only for those inside the cabin but also for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists sharing the road.

Final Thoughts

The Denza B5’s 5-star ANCAP rating positions it as one of the safest new large SUVs available in Australia and New Zealand. Its combination of robust structural performance, excellent child occupant protection and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies demonstrates Denza’s commitment to safety as it expands into the region.

While the B5 receives a full penalty for vehicle compatibility in frontal offset testing, its strong results in side-impact, oblique pole and crash-avoidance assessments ensure it comfortably meets ANCAP’s toughest criteria. For families, tech-focused buyers and fleet operators alike, the Denza B5 delivers the assurance of a modern SUV engineered with safety as a top priority.