The 2023 Tesla Model Y has recently been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This is the highest safety rating possible, indicating that the Model Y performed well in all six crashworthiness tests conducted by the IIHS, as well as in tests of its front crash prevention system and headlight performance.
The ratings cover crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and mitigation features. The crashworthiness ratings are based on performance in six crash tests: small overlap front (driver-side and passenger-side), moderate overlap front, side (original and updated), and roof strength. The Model Y earned a rating of Good, the highest possible rating, in all of these tests.
The Model Y’s crash avoidance and mitigation features were also rated as Superior, the highest rating awarded by the IIHS. The Model Y comes with a standard automatic emergency braking system and a standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, both of which were rated Superior. The Model Y’s vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, which also comes standard, was also rated Superior in both day and night tests.
The Model Y’s headlights were evaluated in two different variations, with different results. The Performance trim level received a rating of Good, while the Long Range trim level received a rating of Acceptable. The Model Y’s LATCH ease of use rating was also Good.
Overall, the 2023 Tesla Model Y has earned excellent safety ratings from the IIHS, demonstrating strong crashworthiness and crash avoidance and mitigation features.
It is also worth noting that the IIHS has strengthened the requirements for its TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards for 2023, demanding better side crash protection and improved pedestrian crash prevention systems and eliminating subpar headlights from the field of qualifying vehicles. As a result, only 48 models qualify for 2023 awards, down from 101 last year. The TOP SAFETY PICK+ criteria include a new evaluation, the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention test. Toyota Motor Corp. has the most 2023 awards, with nine TOP SAFETY PICK+ and six TOP SAFETY PICK awards for a total of 15. Further changes to the award criteria are coming in 2024.
