The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released its annual list of vehicles that qualified for its Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards, and among the winners is the Tesla Model Y. The IIHS updated its standards this year, making them more stringent, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of winners. Only 48 models were able to qualify for the 2023 awards, with 28 earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating and 20 receiving a Top Safety Pick rating. This is a stark contrast to last year’s awards, where there were 101 winners, including 65 Top Safety Pick+ awardees.
According to the IIHS President David Harkey, the reduction in the number of winners is due to the agency’s decision to challenge automakers to improve on their safety standards. “These models are true standouts in both crashworthiness and crash prevention,” he said.
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The IIHS updated its standards in several areas, including the side crash test, which now involves 82% more energy than before. Additionally, a new evaluation, the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention test, was introduced. Harkey explained that the new test was added in response to the increase in pedestrian crashes in the United States.
Despite the changes, the Tesla Model Y still managed to earn the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick+ rating, making it one of the three all-electric vehicles that received excellent ratings this year. The Volkswagen ID.4 and Rivian R1T were the other two models that received Top Safety Pick+ ratings.
Looking at the Tesla Model Y’s page on the IIHS website, it scored a “Good” rating on the agency’s updated side-impact test and aced the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention test. Interestingly, the IIHS also announced that it would retire three of its previous safety evaluations – roof strength, head restraint, and vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention tests – as they have become less relevant due to industry progress.
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Overall, the IIHS’ updated safety standards have resulted in a smaller number of winners, but the vehicles that received Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards this year are true standouts in both crashworthiness and crash prevention. The Tesla Model Y’s excellent rating is a testament to the automaker’s commitment to safety and innovation in the electric vehicle market.
