Wow, Tesla Motors is having a great year! The maker of the luxury Model S electric car just took the highest score ever in the National Traffic Safety Administration’s crash test rating. Taking the five-star rating score across the board has been accomplished by other vehicles, but Tesla’s Model S has taken the highest raging in individual categories than any other vehicle – and that includes larger SUVs and minivans.
NHTSA looks at frontal impact, side impact, side pole impact, and a rollover risk test. The rollover test explores how likely the vehicle is to rollover while driving through avoidance maneuvers. The way the Model S has been designed helps – frontal impact is aided by the lack of an engine block up from. This allows more room for frontal impact absorption.
Aside from seeing its stock prices skyrocket and company CEO Elon Musk get loads of attention launching his Hyperloop ultra-fast rail concept, it’s been a great year for ratings and reviews. Consumer Reports says the Model S has been one of the best cars it’s ever tested, and that joins up nicely with NHTSA’s safest-ever rating.
