The Tesla Cybertruck has become the only pickup truck to receive the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ designation in the organization’s final safety ratings for 2025, IIHS said.
In its year-end update, IIHS evaluated 20 newly tested vehicles and awarded safety honours to 16 models across several segments. While a number of electric SUVs and sedans achieved top ratings, the Cybertruck was the only pickup truck to qualify for the highest-tier award. The Toyota Tundra had previously earned a Top Safety Pick+ earlier in the year, though with lower overall scores.
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To qualify for the Top Safety Pick+ designation, vehicles must earn “Good” ratings in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, both small overlap front crash tests, and the revised side-impact test. Vehicles must also achieve at least an “Acceptable” rating for pedestrian crash prevention and headlight performance.
IIHS said the Cybertruck met all of these criteria, receiving “Good” ratings across the major crashworthiness evaluations as well as for its headlights.
Pickup trucks have historically faced challenges in IIHS testing due to factors such as size, weight distribution and higher ride height, which can affect crash energy management and pedestrian safety. These challenges were reflected in the 2025 ratings, with several gasoline-powered pickup models failing to qualify for either IIHS safety award.
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IIHS noted that Tesla implemented mid-year design changes to the Cybertruck’s front underbody and footwell structure to improve occupant protection in frontal crashes. Those updates enabled the vehicle to meet the institute’s most stringent testing standards.
The Cybertruck’s recognition adds to Tesla’s broader safety performance. The Tesla Model 3 also earned a Top Safety Pick rating for 2025, and both the Cybertruck and Model 3 hold five-star overall crash ratings from U.S. federal safety regulators.