Tesla Model Y safer than Volvo in tougher crash tests as it earns highest IIHS rating for pedestrian safety

Despite the new, more stringent crash test setup of the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Tesla Model Y passed with flying colors, performing even better than on the old test.

On the "B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat" portion of the test, for instance, the Model Y scored -30cm. This negative number indicates the extent by which the crushed area deforms to stop short of the seat centerline.

For comparison, that safety standard bearer of ICE vehicles - the Volvo XC90 which also earned the highest IIHS safety rating - gave more way during the new side impact crash test with a -18.5cm deformation. The Model Y earned the highest G rating on the small and moderate overlap as well as the pedestrian front crash tests as well.

The only below maximum safety rating it got was on the ease of use of its child seat latches where it scored Acceptable. The Model Y's ace crash safety test performance is due both to Tesla's engineering prowess and to some structural peculiarities of electric cars such as carrying a tough and heavy battery pack installed in the floor.

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that the world's top selling car is also one of the safest car for the driver and passengers on the road outside of standardized crash tests, too. In one such freak accident where the Model Y underwent a double clash with a commercial rig, survivor Paul M. wrote:

I was told later that there were two impacts. The first when I hit 3 trees in front of me and the second when the commercial truck that initially side swiped me somehow followed me over 4 lanes and struck me from behind after the initial impact. I somehow didn’t lose consciousness and was able to pull myself out of the passenger window with the fractured pelvis. Was also told that if the car had a normal front engine it would have likely crushed me. 

Get the 80A Tesla Gen 2 Wall Connector with 24' cable on Amazon