The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has updated its score for the plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 ute.

ANCAP’s original score of 95 for the Child Occupant Protection has dropped from 95 per cent to 87 per cent, concluding the Child Presence Detection function in the BYD – which reminds the driver if they have back-seat passengers – does not meet the organisation’s “functional requirements”.

However, despite the amendment, the BYD Shark 6 has retained its five-star safety rating overall – with Child Occupant Protection remaining its highest score.

Local testing resulted in the BYD achieving more than 85 per cent for three of the four major categories – with the Shark 6 scoring 74 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection, which assesses the vehicle’s impact on pedestrians and cyclists.

While scoring 85 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, ANCAP deducted the maximum eight points for potential damage inflicted on an opposing vehicle in the event of a head-on collision.

“Due to its size, weight and front-end design, the BYD Shark 6 poses a higher risk to occupants of oncoming vehicles,” ANCAP said in a written statement.

Being a plug-in hybrid – fitted with a battery, dual electric motors, and a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine – the BYD weighs in at 2710kg.

The Shark 6 is also one of the most powerful utes available – producing 321kW and 650Nm – and comes with a full suite of active safety assistance systems, including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist, and motorbike detection.

The Shark 6 is the fifth model from BYD to be awarded a five-star safety rating by ANCAP – with the recently-released Sealion 7 yet to undergo assessment.