Elon Musk says the Tesla Model Y’s most overlooked feature is its safety. Many buyers focus on tech, speed, or cost, but Musk highlights the safety track record as the car’s real strength.
Tesla planned the Model Y to outsell its other cars. When it launched, few guessed it would sell more than the Model 3. Musk predicted the Model Y would outsell all Tesla vehicles combined. This happened. By 2023, the Model Y hit 1.22 million units, up 64% over the previous year. It became the first electric vehicle to be the world’s best-selling car. In 2024, it kept its top spot with 1.185 million units, though some reports said the Toyota RAV4 was slightly ahead by about 2,000 units. Still, the Model Y stayed at the front for EV sales.
Safety Achievements
The 2025 Model Y earned the Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) again, for the fifth year straight. Tesla scores “good” in all crash tests required by this group. Musk posted online, calling the Model Y “rated highest in safety.”
In Europe, the Model Y scored 97% for adult safety under the Euro NCAP safety tests, the highest ever in that group. Child safety scored 89%, with 82% for protecting people outside the car and 98% for using safety features to prevent crashes. In Australia, the Model Y received 97% for adult safety from ANCAP, the best score seen under their current rules.
How Tesla Designs for Safety
Tesla builds safety into three main areas: how strong the car is, tech that helps drivers avoid crashes, and features that protect people after a wreck. Their battery in the car’s floor makes it heavier and more stable, which helps prevent rollovers. There’s no gas engine, so Tesla creates a big zone in front to soak up energy in a crash.
The Tesla structure is about 30% stronger than most cars. It can handle four times its weight on the roof. They use high-strength steel for key areas, and the underbody has a big rear cast piece that’s very strong.
Real-World Proof: The Devil’s Slide Crash
A big test came in January 2023. A family was in a Model Y that fell 250 feet down a cliff at Devil’s Slide, California. All four people survived, including two children. First responders said most vehicles would not protect people in a fall like that, but the Tesla’s strong frame saved them.
A forensic engineer, Professor Jahan Rasty, said the roof held up because of its design. The car’s flat battery kept it from landing front-first, so it rolled, which reduced force on the people inside. The step frame also channeled impact forces correctly.
Technology That Helps Prevent Crashes
Model Y has driver assist features as standard. These include automatic brakes that work on cars, bikes, or people. It also warns the driver about crashes ahead and helps with lane keeping. Tesla’s vision system uses cameras, not radar, but still wins top marks for helping drivers avoid trouble.
Software updates make these features better over time. For example, brakes now react better during turns, and the system spots people at night more accurately. Tesla’s data shows that when drivers use Autopilot, the cars crash once every 7.44 million miles. Without Autopilot, that rate jumps to one crash every 1.51 million miles.
Emergency Response Tools
If airbags deploy, the Model Y unlocks its doors and cuts high-voltage power. It automatically calls emergency services and can send the car’s location. Tesla gives first responders details on where to cut the car for rescues and how to handle the battery.
Extra Features for Safety and Security
Tesla includes Sentry Mode (records around the car when parked), Cabin Overheat Protection, and Dog Mode (keeps the car cool for pets). A PIN is required to drive if set, which helps with theft.
Manufacturing and Materials
Tesla uses advanced casting for the rear of the car, making it one solid piece. Airbags protect people even from side impacts between the front seats. The Model Y earns top marks from agencies in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Awards and Recognition
The IIHS ranks the Model Y as one of only two luxury midsize SUVs to get its highest rating this year. Consumer Reports calls the Model Y one of the year’s top cars, the only EV to make their best list.
Tesla updates safety features through software, using fleet data to identify how to make the car safer. These tweaks go out to all cars at once.
The Model Y leads both in sales and safety. Elon Musk says safety is its best asset, though people often overlook it. The design choices, safety tech, and high real-world survival rate show why the Model Y earned its place at the top.
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