As you browse cars for sale, safety is likely on your mind. But which makes and models offer the safest driving experience? Well, you definitely can’t lose by looking at Tesla, especially their Model S. Their cars are so safe that the crash testing gear breaks before they do.
How impressive is Tesla’s safety rating?
Across their model line, 2020 Tesla vehicles consistently earn the highest ratings on all the tests performed by the NHTSA and IIHS. The Model Y, for example, holds 4.88-star owner and 4.7/10 expert review ratings from Vehicle History.
Although it’s important to know how well Tesla vehicles withstand collisions, that’s not the only thing that contributes to a vehicle’s safety. Thankfully, we are here to go through all the different factors that you’ll need to keep in mind while car shopping.
Tesla Safety Ratings – Crash Tests
Both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) perform tests on Tesla vehicles. Here’s what they found for the models offered in 2020.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The IIHS put the 2020 Model 3 through the wringer to see just how safe it is — and it easily withstood all they threw at it. In fact, it did so well, they awarded it with their Top Safety Pick+ designation.
On their crashworthiness tests, it earned their highest score, a “Good” rating, on all their tests, including roof strength. High scores were given for its crash avoidance and their easy to use child seat anchors.
The only rating to fall below a perfect score was the vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention. Instead of a “Superior” rating, it got “Advanced,” likely due to its inability to see children crossing the road as well as adults. The Model 3 clearly adds a lot to the global reputation of Tesla’s safety rating.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
When the Model S broke the NHTSA’s crash testing equipment in 2013, it set the bar for all the Teslas to come after it. Instead of getting the usual mix of four- and five-star ratings, it got top scores on all its tests.
And now in 2020, all their vehicles, including the Model X, are continuing down the same path. When they tested all variants of the Model X, it got five stars across the board for front, side, and rollover crash tests. Even the side pole rating got five stars, which is a tough test to ace.
These ratings show just how well the full range of Tesla vehicles perform in collisions, giving you a good idea about what level of protection you can expect from these cars.
Tesla Safety Rating – The Tech Behind it
Although the vehicle’s structural makeup has a huge impact on crash test ratings, it’s not their whole safety story. Tesla vehicles also use a host of safety technology to keep you and your passengers safe from harm.
Although their Autopilot software package provides the most protection, even ones without that feature come with:
Forward and Side Collision Warning
The forward and side collision warning system effectively gives you an extra set of eyes. Using high-tech camera and radar equipment, this system watches for obstacles all around and issues an alert if it senses a problem.
For the forward collision system, you can set its sensitivity level or turn it off if you feel like you’ve got it handled. The side collision warning stays on full alert at all times.
Obstacle Aware Acceleration
As the collision warning system watches for obstructions in the roadway, the Obstacle Aware Acceleration feature remains ready for action. If anything appears in your path, this system steps in to keep your car from accelerating toward the object.
Automatic Emergency Braking
If you’re just plodding along and something lands in your path, the Automatic Emergency Braking system lends a hand. This system fully activates the brakes to safely bring the vehicle to a stop in an instant. Although it may not fully prevent an accident, slowing down can help reduce the severity of the impact.
Blind Spot Monitoring
When you are changing lanes, the Blind Spot Monitoring feature helps you look around for obstructions in your way. You just have to turn on the blinker to activate it. Then, if a vehicle is cruising right in your blind spot, the system will provide an alert to let you know.
Lane Departure Avoidance
The cameras at every corner carefully watch your placement in the lane to ensure you’re on the right path. If they detect that you’re leaving the lane without your blinker on, the Lane Departure Avoidance system will kick in and let you know.
This smart safety system will either issue an audible warning or give the steering a light bump to alert you to the problem. The Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance system will then step in and steer the car to safety if you don’t respond right away.
Tesla vehicles also have a full suite of airbags protecting every corner of the cabin space. Occupants at the front and rear are fully cushioned during serious impacts as a result, helping reduce the risk of injuries.
People Also Ask These Questions about Tesla Safety Ratings:
Is Tesla the Safest Car?
Tesla definitely makes some of the safest cars on the road today. Since 2013 when the Model S broke the crash test equipment, they have been earning top ratings from the NHTSA. Beyond that, the IIHS gave the 2019 Model 3 its Top Safety Pick+ award for its excellent crash test performance.
Why is Tesla So Safe?
Tesla vehicles are safe because of their rigid structure and high-tech safety equipment. The lack of a combustion engine at the front helps as well by maximizing its crumple zones. The forces then go through the car instead of its occupants to help prevent injuries.
Can Teslas be Hacked?
As with any computer equipment, it is possible to hack a Tesla’s ECU. Hackers recently remotely gained control of a Tesla vehicle for a short time. Upon notifying the company of the vulnerability in their system, the automaker released an update to prevent repeat attempts.
Do Teslas Get in Fewer Accidents?
When equipped with Autopilot, Tesla vehicles get into far fewer accidents than when piloted by their drivers. In fact, these computer-controlled vehicles can travel more than four million miles with only one collision occurring in that time.
Photos: Tesla
