Tesla famously and falsely claimed the Model S achieved a “new combined record of 5.4 stars” in testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, so take it with a grain of salt that the company is now saying the Model 3 has the “lowest probability of injury of any vehicle ever tested by NHTSA.”
Putting aside Tesla’s aversion to the truth, the company says the Model 3 achieved a perfect 5-star safety rating in every category and sub-category. Tesla goes on to say the government tested a Model 3 Long Range with rear-wheel drive and their data shows that vehicle occupants are less likely to be seriously injured in front, side and rollover crashes in the Model 3 than in any other vehicle.
Tesla credits the car’s strong performance to the model’s rigid passenger compartment, fortified battery pack and low center of gravity. The company says this design reduces rollover risk, helps prevent intrusions into the cabin and also helps to distribute crash forces away from the interior. The Model 3 also has a “superior” front crumple zone and no traditional engine that can be pushed into the cabin.
Elsewhere, the car has energy-absorbing beams including a high-strength aluminum bumper beam and an “ultra-high strength martensitic steel beam” that has been designed to absorb the forces from severe impacts.
Of course, the car’s safety features extended far beyond the structure as the Model 3 has a collapsible steering column and an assortment of airbags. Speaking of the latter, the front airbags “optimize protection based on the unique characteristics of the crash.”
Tesla also claims the test showed the Model 3 had the least instruction from a side impact with a pole. The company says these impressive results are due to the fact that they use patented pillar structures and side sills which absorb as much energy as possible.