In the latest release of the prestigious Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ awards, the Tesla Model 3‘s absence from the list has raised questions among consumers and enthusiasts alike. The Model Y, another vehicle from Tesla’s lineup, secured a spot among the twenty-two recipients of the award, highlighting the Model 3’s conspicuous omission. This development merits a closer look into the criteria for the IIHS’s safety accolades and the potential for the Model 3 to meet these standards in the future.
Criteria for IIHS Safety Acclaim
The IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award represents the zenith of vehicle safety recognition, demanding excellence across multiple crash safety tests. To qualify, a vehicle must achieve top scores in the rigorous small overlap front test, the updated side test, and the moderate overlap front test. Additionally, it must secure at least an acceptable rating for its headlights and pedestrian front crash prevention capabilities. The Model Y’s achievement in these areas contrasts with the Model 3’s current situation.
Model 3’s Safety Evaluation Status
The Model 3’s exclusion from the 2023 and 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ lists can be attributed to its lack of evaluation in the updated side crash and moderate overlap crash tests. As these assessments are integral to the award criteria, the Model 3’s eligibility hangs in the balance until it undergoes and passes these examinations. Despite the setback, the future holds potential for the 2024 Model 3 to achieve recognition as additional test results become available.
Potential for Future Awards
IIHS official Joe Young has indicated that the Model 3 could still earn the accolade later in the year, contingent on the completion of the remaining tests. With the IIHS planning to issue awards throughout the year, there remains a pathway for the Model 3 to reclaim its place among the top safety picks, a status it previously held from 2020 to 2022.
On a related topic, in an article titled “Tesla Models S and X Miss Out on IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards” from Electrek, we learn that not only the Model 3, but also Tesla’s higher-end Models S and X failed to secure the top safety designations. Interestingly, this article suggests that Tesla’s decision to forgo traditional model year cycles and continuously update their vehicles might play a role in the eligibility for safety awards. This continuous improvement process could influence when and how vehicles are tested, a factor that has been significant for Tesla’s varying safety accolades over time.
As Tesla strives for excellence in safety performance, the possibility of the Model 3 joining its sibling, the Model Y, among the elite vehicles honored by the IIHS remains a topic of interest for fans and prospective buyers. The status of Tesla’s vehicles in safety rankings not only affects brand perception but also has tangible implications for consumer safety and confidence.
