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In the never-ending quest for perfection, another Tesla received recognition from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Tesla Model Y luxury SUV is officially a Top Safety Pick+ award winner from the IIHS.

Tesla Model Y qualified for a Top Safety Pick+ award From the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Tesla Model Y qualifies for a Top Safety Pick+ Award From the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
Tesla Model Y qualifies for a Top Safety Pick+ Award From the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) | Tesla

The IIHS announced today that the 2021-22 Tesla Model Y qualified for the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. The Model Y had to earn “good” ratings in six of the IIHS crashworthiness evaluations to be eligible for this award. These include tests such as driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, and moderate overlap front. The other three tests were the original side, roof strength, and head restraint tests.

The vehicles must also have front crash prevention systems that earn “advanced” or “superior” ratings in tests. These tests are performed for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian crashes.

The Model Y did quite well with a score of “good” when it came to the overall evaluation. All of the sections related to driver injuries (head/neck, chest, hip/thigh/, leg/foot) scored a rating of “good.”

The Tesla Model Y showed uprovements during the IIHS crashworthiness tests

One final part of the Top Safety Pick+ award qualification is the headlights. To get the regular Top Safety Pick award, the vehicle has to have “at least one good or acceptable headlight system,” the IIHS says. For the Top Safety Pick+ award, “good” or “acceptable” headlights must be standard on all available trim levels.

As it stands right now, the Tesla Model Y vehicles built after April 2021 meet the criteria to receive the Top Safety Pick+ award.

“Following a conversion to a camera only system, the standard front crash prevention system earns superior ratings in both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests. The two available headlight systems earn good and acceptable ratings.”

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

While it sounds a bit confusing, it makes sense. In the same situation, the Tesla Model 3 was given a superior rating after switching to the camera-only system. The Model 3 had improved after a software update in both crash avoidance tests.

It seems the well-loved electric vehicles are safer than expected

In the official videos and photos from the testing of the Tesla Model Y, the driver’s space remained in good shape. While Tesla has come under fire recently for issues with Tesla Autopilot and Full Self-Driving accidents, this is good news. While those issues with FSD get worked out behind the scenes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently running its own investigation.

For now, it seems Tesla is working on making a safe vehicle. Autopilot and Full Self-Driving aside, the automaker seems to be delivering on that.

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Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.