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Tesla Model 3

Best in Class
Model 3 frontal view
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Play
2025
Standard
Standard

Verdict

The passenger compartment of the Tesla Model 3 remained stable in the frontal offset test.  Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and the front seat passenger. Tesla demonstrated that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions.  Analysis of the deceleration of the impact trolley during the test, and analysis of the deformable barrier after the test, revealed that the Tesla Model 3 would be a moderately benign impact partner in a frontal collision.  In the full-width rigid barrier test, protection of the chest of the rear seat occupant was rated as marginal, based on dummy readings of compression.  Protection was good for all critical body regions for the driver. In both the side barrier test and the more severe side pole impact, good protection was provided to all critical body areas and the Tesla Model 3 scored maximum points in this part of the assessment.  Control of excursion (the extent to which a body is thrown to the other side of the vehicle when it is hit from the far side) was found to be adequate  The Tesla Model 3 has a countermeasure to mitigate against occupant-to-occupant injuries in such impacts.  The airbag performed well in Euro NCAP’s tests with dummy readings indicating good protection for both the driver and passenger.  Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision.  A geometric analysis of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection.   The car has an advanced eCall system which alerts the emergency services in the event of a crash, and a  system to prevent secondary impacts after the car has been in a collision.  Tesla demonstrated that the doors and windows would be openable to allow occupants to escape in the event of vehicle submergence.

In both the frontal offset and the side barrier tests, protection was good for all critical body areas of both child dummies, and the Tesla Model 3 scored maximum points in this part of the assessment. The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position.  Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded.    The Tesla Model 3 is equipped with a direct 'child presence detection' system, which issues a warning when it detects that a child or infant has been left in the car. All of the child restraint types for which the Tesla Model 3 is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car.

The Tesla Model 3 has an 'active' bonnet.  Sensors in the bumper detect when a pedestrian has been struck and actuators lift the bonnet surface to provide more space to the hard structures underneath.  Tesla showed that the system worked robustly over a range of speeds and for different statures.  Accordingly, the car was tested with the bonnet in the raised, deployed position.   Protection of the head of a struck pedestrian or cyclist was largely good or adequate, with poor results recorded on the stiff windscreen pillars and at the base and top of the screen.   Protection of the pelvis was good at all test locations. Protection of the femur was good at all test locations, while that of the knee and tibia was good at all test locations  The autonomous emergency braking system of the Tesla Model 3 responds to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, as well as to other vehicles.  In tests of its response to pedestrians, the system performed well.  The system performed well in tests of its reaction to cyclists, while its response to motorcyclists was good.

Overall, the performance of the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system was good in tests of its reaction to other vehicles.  A seatbelt reminder system is fitted as standard to the front and rear seats.    The car has a direct driver status monitoring system as standard, detecting driver fatigue and some types of distraction.    The lane support system gently corrects the vehicle’s path if it is drifting out of lane and also intervenes in some more critical situations.  The speed assistance system identifies the local speed limit.  The driver can choose to allow the limiter to be set automatically by the system.

Tested ModelTesla Model 3, RWD, LHD
Body TypeSedan
Kerb Weight1761 kg
Adult Occupant

Adult Occupant

90%
Child Occupant

Child Occupant

93%
Vulnerable Road Users

Vulnerable Road Users

89%
Safety Assist

Safety Assist

87%

Safety Equipment

Driver
Passenger
Rear
Front Airbag
FITTED_STANDARD
FITTED_STANDARD
NOT_AVAILABLE
Belt Pretensioner
FITTED_STANDARD
FITTED_STANDARD
FITTED_STANDARD
Belt Loadlimiter
FITTED_STANDARD
FITTED_STANDARD
FITTED_STANDARD
Knee Airbag
NOT_AVAILABLE
NOT_AVAILABLE
NOT_AVAILABLE

Note: other equipment may be available on the vehicle but was not considered in the test year

  • Fitted to the vehicle as standard
    Fitted to the vehicle as standard
  • Fitted to the vehicle as part of the safety pack
    Fitted to the vehicle as part of the safety pack
  • Not fitted to the test vehicle but available as option or as part of the safety pack
    Not fitted to the test vehicle but available as option or as part of the safety pack
  • Not available
    Not available
  • Not applicable
    Not applicable

Rating Validity

Body Type
Variant Description
Drivetrain
Rating Applies LHD
Rating Applies RHD
4 door Sedan
Dual Motor All Wheel Drive Performance Electric - Performance All-Wheel Drive
4x4
true
true
4 door Sedan
Dual Motor All Wheel Drive Electric - Long Range All-Wheel Drive
4x4
true
true
4 door Sedan
Rear Wheel Drive Electric - Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive
4x2
true
true
4 door Sedan
Rear Wheel Drive Electric - Rear-Wheel Drive*
4x2
true
true
  • * Tested Variant

Additional Information