The Tesla Model Y has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety‘s Top Safety Pick+ award for the fifth year in a row. This makes the electric SUV one of only two midsize luxury vehicles to receive the organization’s highest honor.
The 2025 Model Y, codenamed “Juniper,” passed every crash test with perfect “Good” ratings. It excelled in the moderate overlap front test, which uses crash test dummies in both the driver and rear passenger seats. The vehicle also earned top scores in small overlap front tests for both driver and passenger protection.
In side crash evaluations, the Model Y received full marks for occupant safety. The SUV’s roof showed zero structural compromise during rollover tests. Every area measured—including head, neck, torso, and pelvis protection for both front and rear passengers—received the highest possible ratings.
The Model Y’s pedestrian safety technology earned a “Good” rating, the best available. The system successfully stopped the vehicle in tests at 25 mph and 37 mph. Both daytime and nighttime scenarios with high and low beam headlights showed the car could effectively detect and avoid hitting pedestrians. This performance beat the Volvo XC90, which only received an “Acceptable” rating in the same category.
Tesla’s safety cage structure showed no deformity in critical impact zones during testing. Side airbags provided effective head protection for all occupants. The vehicle maintained minimal crush depth, creating maximum safety cushion during collisions.
All Model Y trims come with premium headlights rated “Good” by IIHS. The forward collision warning system worked consistently across different driving conditions. These safety features have remained unchanged since 2022, showing Tesla’s commitment to maintaining high standards. Unlike the Model 3, which lacked several required tests for the award, the Model Y completed all necessary evaluations.
IIHS evaluates vehicles based on crashworthiness, crash avoidance capabilities, and headlight performance. The Model Y met or exceeded requirements in all categories. This consistent performance over five years has led some automotive publications to call Tesla vehicles “the safest cars on Earth.”
The 2025 Model Y’s safety achievements come as Tesla continues to update its popular electric SUV with new features while maintaining its core protective systems. The updated moderate overlap front crash test now includes a smaller dummy representing a 12-year-old child or small woman in the rear seat, making the Model Y’s perfect scores even more impressive.