Tesla Model Y SUV awarded 5 star safety rating by NHTSA

KUALA LUMPUR: The Tesla Model Y was recently tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) wherein the American SUV was awarded a five star safety rating. Wondering what’s NHTSA, well it is a premier US agency that heads vehicle standards and awards crash test rating. Unlike the Global NCAP crash test, NHTSA’s crash test rating is applicable across the model lineup. So, it’s a 5 star rating for all Model Y variants.

Speaking of the NHTSA’S test, it analyses the car’s performance in frontal and side crash tests, there is also a rollover test, lastly the vehicles safety features are taken into consideration.

Which Model Y variants were tested by NHTSA?

NHTSA tested five- and seven-seater versions of both Model Y AWD and RWD variants. Both the variants were tested on the same parameters, except in the case of the RWD version the rollover test was not performed, so it didn’t receive an overall rating.

What all features make the Tesla Model Y so safe?

Being a pure-electric car, the Model Y misses out on a conventional engine. Thus allowing engineers to efficiently utilise the front crumple zone of the car. Also, the car’s body is designed to spread the impact in case of an accident more efficiently - all the force is targeted away from the passenger cabin.

The glass roof of Model Y is designed to spread the impact of the rollover through the roof - making sure all energy is absorbed before reaching the passengers cabin.

It is to be noted that the Model Y tested was an Indian bound model. Also, Tesla recently announced its entry in the Indian market with the Model 3 sedan as its first offering for the country.

Also Read: Tesla updates the Model 3, gets enhanced performance, new features & colour options