Tesla Model 3 Earns Top Safety Pick from IIHS

[Az_Rael]

Tesla has been awarded its first ever Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To earn a 2019 Top Safety Pick award, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as a good or acceptable rating...
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[CharleyBC]

That’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in case you’re wondering like I was.

 

[RodPGH]

I wonder how many cars they use to perform this test

 

[jedi2b]

I'm always surprised of how sturdy the glass roof of this car is

 

[HyperionMark]

How many cars on average get this top ranking every year?

 

[KenC]

How many cars on average get this top ranking every year?

2019 IIHS Top Safety Picks

 

[tvad]

I'm always surprised of how sturdy the glass roof of this car is

Until you mount a bike rack, apparently. Then...not so much.

 

[dendenyc]

Until you mount a bike rack, apparently. Then...not so much.

...a bike rack mounted with Musclez

 

[HyperionMark]

2019 IIHS Top Safety Picks

Thanks!
But wow, they hand those things out like candy.

 

[DopeGhoti]

Thanks!
But wow, they hand those things out like candy.

If they publish the exact criteria for meriting that ranking, it makes it easy for manufacturers to design to those specs, even if it introduces flaws that the spec is blind to.

 

[Az_Rael]

Thanks!
But wow, they hand those things out like candy.

If they publish the exact criteria for meriting that ranking, it makes it easy for manufacturers to design to those specs, even if it introduces flaws that the spec is blind to.

And yet this is still the first time Tesla has been able to make the cut. Model S has always missed in a criteria previously. (IIHS never tested the X).

 

[vickh]

And yet this is still the first time Tesla has been able to make the cut. Model S has always missed in a criteria previously. (IIHS never tested the X).

safer than S. Wow what criteria was missed? I wonder that's why my premiums are so low compared to S

IIHS-HLDI: Crash Testing & Highway Safety

 

[tvad]

Thanks!
But wow, they hand those things out like candy.

IIHS safety testing is extremely rigorous, and the awards are not handed out like candy. They are well earned.

 

[S4WRXTTCS]

Thanks!
But wow, they hand those things out like candy.

Not to American car companies though.

But, seriously if you remove the "with specific headlights" then the list is cut down considerably.

I'd also remove duplicates as I don't think it matters much that every single crosstrek version got it.

 

[Az_Rael]

safer than S. Wow what criteria is missed?

I wouldn't say safer than an S, they can't really be compared directly. The ratings mention that mass matters and the cars are compared vs their class, but mass wins in accidents so large SUVs are likely to be more safe overall than a compact car.

The 2017 S got dinged for headlights and the small overlap on the driver side due to a seat belt allowing the dummy to move too far forward.

 

[vickh]

I wouldn't say safer than an S, they can't really be compared directly. The ratings mention that mass matters and the cars are compared vs their class, but mass wins in accidents so large SUVs are likely to be more safe overall than a compact car.

The 2017 S got dinged for headlights and the small overlap on the driver side due to a seat belt allowing the dummy to move too far forward.

Got it. It's also interesting that all the other top picks need options to qualify. I like that Tesla doesn't make safety an add on.

I'm sure mass is an important factor and the battery helps. (explains why a lot of hybrids in the small category) But design, air bags, crumple zones (eg. bee hive and no engine in 3) etc. are also important.

 

[insaneoctane]

Anyone know the expected relative impact to our insurance rates as a result of these findings?

 

[DopeGhoti]

I don't know about these specific findings, but my insurance rates when moving from a Prius C to a Model 3 went down by 25%.

 

[David L]

Anyone know the expected relative impact to our insurance rates as a result of these findings?

Considering that collision and comprehensive premiums dominate the premium difference between a Model 3 and most other vehicles, I'm going to guess not much. What we really need is for repair costs to come down.

 

[SageBrush]

Thanks!
But wow, they hand those things out like candy.

A total of 4 in the midsize luxury class that I think includes about 30 cars. The Model 3 is in nice company with one BMW, one Merc and one Lexus model