After rigorous testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has bestowed Top Safety Pick+ recognition on Tesla’s 2019 Model 3.
This is the first award Tesla has earned from the Institute— and, the Institute’s highest safety honor.
Tesla Model 3 Captures Top Safety Pick+ Award
After rigorous testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has bestowed Top Safety Pick+ recognition on Tesla’s 2019 Model 3.
September 23, 2019
An affordable sedan, the Model 3 is an all-electric plug-in vehicle. IIHS engineers put it through the paces in six crashworthiness tests, where it earned good ratings across the board.
Photo courtesy of IIHS.
2 min to read
An affordable sedan, the Model 3 is an all-electric plug-in vehicle. IIHS engineers put it through the paces in six crashworthiness tests, where it earned good ratings across the board. Evaluations included the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, head restraint, and passenger-side small overlap tests.
Noteworthy, the Model 3's structure held up well in one of the Institute's most demanding crash tests, the driver-side small overlap front test.
Intrusion of 8 inches at the lower door-hinge pillar contributed to a moderate risk of injury to the driver's lower leg, as indicated by measures taken from the dummy. There were no other injuries, and the front and side airbags and the seat belt performed well to control the dummy's movement during the crash.
However, to earn a Top Safety Pick+ award vehicles must also earn an advanced or superior rating for its available front crash prevention system as well as good-rated headlights.
The Tesla Model 3 did not disappoint. Its standard front crash prevention system earned a superior rating, avoiding collisions in both the 12 mph and 25 mph IIHS track tests. Moreover, the midsize car’s only available headlights garnered a good rating.
Tesla’s Model 3 is the second plug-in vehicle with no gas engine to earn the 2019 Top Safety Pick+ award after the Audi e-tron, a large SUV. The e-tron qualifies for the award with standard equipment.
More Safety
The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
Read More →
How to Speak the Same Language on Fleet Safety
Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.
Read More →
Fleet Cybersecurity 101: What You Need from Your Technology Vendors
From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.
Read More →
Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 2
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
Data Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities After a Crash
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
From Distraction to Detection: Strengthening Awareness in Fleet Drivers
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
Lytx 2026 Road Safety Report
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →