Tesla Model Y secures 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating

In its most recent safety assessment, the Tesla Model Y has earned a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. This achievement is particularly notable as Tesla has recently entered the Indian premium EV segment, where safety credentials are a key buying point, among other factors. In India, the Tesla Model Y is priced at ₹59.9 lakh for the Standard RWD version and ₹67.9 lakh for the Long Range version.

Although Euro NCAP tested a left-hand-drive, dual-motor AWD configuration, the agency clarified that the result also extends to the right-hand-drive Model Y Long Range RWD, the version earmarked for India. The Performance AWD model also falls within the same rating bracket.

What helped the Model Y secure a full score

Tesla equipped the Model Y with a wide array of safety hardware and software. The evaluation highlighted the presence of 10 airbags, ISOFIX mounts, seat-belt reminders with pretensioners, autonomous emergency braking, and a driver-attentiveness monitor. The car’s structure also plays a key role, with Euro NCAP commenting on its ability to maintain structural stability during major impact tests.

Notable assessment highlights:

• Strong performance in the frontal offset test, supported by a stable cabin and favourable injury readings.
• High scores in full-width frontal impact, where both front and rear occupants showed minimal risk of serious injury.
• Maximum points in the side barrier test, with excellent shielding of vital areas.
• In side pole impacts, protection remained robust, barring a slightly weaker chest performance.
• Rear-impact evaluations confirmed solid whiplash protection for all seating positions.

The cabin of the vehicle remained safe after the crash.

Child Safety

Euro NCAP awarded the Model Y an impressive 93 per cent for child occupant protection. Dummies representing 6-year-old and 10-year-old passengers recorded “Good" protection in both frontal and lateral scenarios, resulting in a perfect score for crash performance. Tesla’s ability to disable the front passenger airbag for a rear-facing child seat and its built-in child presence detection system further strengthened its rating.

Road User Safety and Assistance Tech

In tests involving pedestrians and cyclists, the Model Y demonstrated generally strong results, with good clearance and cushioning around most head-impact zones. Some rigid points near the windscreen frame reduced the score, but overall performance remained strong.

The car’s driver-assistance systems performed confidently, with the autonomous emergency braking system scoring well in all vehicle and non-vehicle collision simulations. Lane-keeping intervention, speed-limit detection, and universal seat-belt reminders contributed to its standout 92% rating for safety assist.