Currently reading: Tesla Model 3 scores five stars in latest Euro NCAP tests

Skoda Scala and Mercedes GLA also score well in newest batch of crash safety results

Tesla's Model 3 has been awarded five stars in the latest round of Euro NCAP safety tests, after achieving one of the highest scores ever recorded by the organisation. 

The electric saloon's extensive driver assistance systems, including lane keeping, autonomous emergency braking and speed limit assist, helped it post the best Safety Assist score seen to date under the current set of test procedures.

The Model 3 also earned a perfect score in the frontal offset deformable barrier crash test, which has been synonomous with Euro NCAP testing since it was created in 1997. This was largely down to the cars's skateboard chassis layout, which creates a low centre of gravity, and the absence of a combustion engine, which could otherwise have the potential to intrude on the passenger compartment in the event of a collision. 

Tesla model 3 crash test

“The Tesla Model 3 achieved one of the highest Safety Assist scores we have seen to date," Matthew Avery, Director of Research at Thatcham Research, said of the results. "Its Collision Avoidance Assist system is first class. Tesla has done a great job of playing the structural benefits of an electric vehicle to its advantage."

The latest batch of tests also yielded five star scores for the new Skoda Scala, which scored highly for adult occupant protection. This places it amongst the highest rated family hatchbacks, including the Mercedes A-Class and latest Mazda 3.

Mercedes recieved five star scores for both the Mercedes-Benz B-Class and GLE SUV. The new Kia Ceed and DS 3 Crossback were each rated four stars when fitted with standard equipment, but earned five star scores once optional safety packs had been fitted.

"Our tests get tougher and tougher, and cars continue to perform well," Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen said. "Car-buyers are getting an ever-safer range of vehicles to choose from." 

READ MORE

Speed limiters, driver monitors to become mandatory in EU

Global NCAP chief: 'UK will lose car safety regulations influence post-Brexit'

Why safety tech and speed limiters can’t save us all​

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

The most affordable Tesla yet is tempting on the face of it, so should you yield or resist?

Join the debate

Comments
6
Add a comment…
QuestionEverything 19 July 2019

Tesla ergonomics

Tesla would need to be very safe in a crash because you're highly likely to have a collision in one due to the woeful ergonomics. When will manufacturers wake up to the fact that it is dangerous to use a touchscreen interface for important functions when you're driving? There's not much point spending millions developing fancy electric technology when you can't get a basic grasp of even the simplest ergonomic principles. The supposedly safety-first Volvo have stupidly followed Tesla down this route. They keep saying how no-one will die driving a Volvo by 2020 or whatever but it'll be other road users that will be dying when they get hit by the Volvo driver who's fiddling with a touchscreen as they try to adjust the A/C.
xxxx 4 July 2019

Ans

Well it's cheap to run, cheaper to buy, doesn't look like ajust another 3 series rep mobile and quicker than an M3 round the TopGear test track

Peter Cavellini 3 July 2019

So what?!

 Buying with your Wallet or with your Heart?, it ain’t a pretty thing to look at, and really you’d want the top of the Range, but that’s.....a lot of money for something that doesn’t stir the emotions.

FRI2 9 July 2019

For Peter Cavellini, it seems

For Peter Cavellini, it seems only a steam engined car will do...