BYD and Toyota shine in seatbelt reminder gradings for entry premium cars

Gobar NCRAP is releasing the rear seatbelt reminder evaluation results for five entry-level premium cars — the BYD Seal and Sealion 7, the new Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Nissan X-Trail. Also included is the BYD eMAX 7, originally scheduled for the previous release.

The BYD SEAL, Toyota NEW CAMRY and the recently launched BYD SEALION 7 all achieve A grades for their rear seatbelt reminders, which include occupant detection and activate their audio signals when they detect an unbelted rear occupant.

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a little less fortunate, and winds up with a B grade because this behaviour does not cover its rear centre seat, which sticks with a basic system that relies on a fastened belt becoming unfastened.

The fully imported Nissan X-TRAIL has not undergone local homologation, and is not required to meet the regulation update due this week. As a result, the X-TRAIL's Indian market specification omits rear seatbelt reminders altogether, and it winds up with the unenviable grade of D.

The BYD eMAX 7, originally scheduled for the previous release, joins its rivals with a C grade. Unlike the other cars in the release, the eMAX 7 does not have an owners' manual available online, but its behaviour was determined during a test drive in late 2024.