Tesla has once again proven its reputation for safety, with the Model 3 earning a perfect 5-star rating in the latest crash tests conducted by Euro NCAP. The redesigned electric sedan excelled under the most stringent safety protocols to date, confirming Tesla’s commitment to occupant and road user protection.
Top Marks Across the Board
According to the official Euro NCAP results, the Model 3 achieved:
- 90% for Adult Occupant Protection
- 95% for Child Occupant Protection
- 89% for Vulnerable Road User Protection
- 88% for Safety Assist Systems
These scores not only place the Model 3 among the safest vehicles on the road but also set a new benchmark for electric sedans tested under the 2025 protocols.
The same rating has been adopted by ANCAP, Australia’s safety authority, and is retroactively applied to all Model 3 units built since September 2023. That includes the earliest versions of the refreshed Highland model, which had previously gone unrated due to structural updates and a lack of initial compliance with local regulations.
Innovative Safety Features
Tesla’s success stems from a host of both passive and active safety technologies. Among the highlights are:
- Active Hood: Lifts automatically during a collision to minimize injury to pedestrians and cyclists.
- Front-Centre Airbag: Helps prevent occupant head clashes in side impacts.
- Advanced Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Newly enhanced to better detect motorcycles and crossing traffic.
- Blind Spot Door Lock Prevention: Stops the door from opening if a person or cyclist is detected in the danger zone.
- Child Left Alone Detection: Uses in-cabin radar to detect an unattended child, then automatically activates HVAC and notifies the caregiver via the Tesla app, lights, and audible alerts.
Tesla also introduced new Safety Assist features like head-on collision avoidance and crossing traffic AEB, designed to proactively prevent accidents in dynamic urban conditions.
Tested to Tougher Standards
Both Euro NCAP and ANCAP now test vehicles under more demanding conditions. The Model 3’s relatively moderate weight compared to other EVs helped it perform well in the Mobile Progressive Deformable Barrier (MPDB) test, which simulates a head-on crash with another typical passenger car.
The Model 3 achieved full marks in side impact and oblique pole crash tests. In frontal-offset tests, it offered “Good” protection to most critical body areas, with “Adequate” ratings for the driver’s chest and lower legs for both front passengers.
Industry-Leading Pedestrian and Child Safety
The Tesla Model 3 also topped the charts in child and pedestrian protection categories, with its performance in Child Occupant Protection the highest ever recorded under current testing guidelines. The Model 3’s use of direct child presence detection, structural reinforcements, and energy-absorbing bodywork all contributed to its impressive results.
The 2025 Model 3’s 5-star rating is valid through 2031. You can read the full report below.
