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Safe? You Bet! Tesla Model 3 Earns IIHS’ Top Safety Pick+ Rating

Photo: IIHS (YouTube)
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Derek Boshouwers
Tesla gets a Top Safety Pick designation for the first time

The 2019 Tesla Model 3 has earned the highest possible Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the agency revealed yesterday. This marks the first time any Tesla product has made it into the IIHS’ good books with a Top Safety Pick designation.

The tests carried out by the American organization include driver's-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as the newly introduced passenger-side small overlap test.

Photo: IIHS (YouTube)

The Model 3 earned the best possible Good rating in each of the crash tests, and the best possible Superior rating for its frontal crash prevention system. Also rated Good were the car’s standard (not optional) headlights, which is significant. A number of models have missed out on receiving the + designation due to the upgraded headlights only being available as options.

The addition of Tesla’s Model 3 means there are now 48 current new-vehicle models that have earned the best possible safety rating from the IIHS. The list is led by Subaru, which has placed the Crosstrek, Impreza, WRX, Legacy, Outback, Forester, and the new Ascent in the winner’s circle. Hyundai’s products are also shining this year, with the Elantra sedan, Sonata, Kona, Tucson, Palisade and Santa Fe models, as well as the Nexo hydrogen fuel-cell car, all being named Top Safety Pick+ choices.

Toyota, meanwhile, has three models placed, including the 2019 RAV4, which ironically just recently failed the so-called moose test carried out by a Swedish magazine.

Photo: IIHS (YouTube)
Derek Boshouwers
Derek Boshouwers
Automotive expert
  • Over 5 years' experience as an automotive journalist
  • More than 50 test drives in the past year
  • Participation in over 30 new vehicle launches in the presence of the brand's technical specialists