Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3: The Safest ANCAP Vehicles

The Tesla Model Y has just achieved another major international recognition: it is officially the safest vehicle tested by ANCAP in 2025, across all categories. The Model 3 is not far behind, establishing itself as the leader in the “Medium Car” category. For the Model Y, this is even a second triumph after its first title obtained in 2022.

I’ve delved into the results of this ranking to explain what makes these two Teslas the safest vehicles on the market, according to one of the world’s strictest test organizations.

ANCAP Crowns Tesla for Safety in 2025

What is ANCAP and Why is it Important?

ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) is the Australian and New Zealand independent organization that evaluates the safety of new vehicles. It’s the equivalent of the European Euro NCAP, with a reputation for having some of the strictest protocols in the world.

Unlike manufacturer tests, ANCAP has recognized international credibility: its evaluations are completely independent and extremely rigorous.

The 2025 ranking evaluates vehicles based on 4 assessment pillars:

• Adult Occupant Protection
• Child Protection
• Vulnerable Road User Protection (pedestrians, cyclists)
• Driver-Assist Systems

And across all these criteria, the Model Y achieved the highest score of all vehicles tested this year, while the Model 3 dominates its category.

Model Y: Confirmed Technical Dominance

The Tesla Model Y is no stranger to success. Already crowned champion in 2022, it confirms its status with the highest safety score across all vehicles in 2025. This consistent excellence is no coincidence.

The vehicle’s very architecture largely explains these exceptional performances. The Model Y’s rigid structure incorporates optimized crumple zones that absorb energy in the event of an impact. The low center of gravity, made possible by the battery placement in the floor, significantly improves stability and reduces rollover risks.

The absence of a combustion engine at the front also constitutes a decisive advantage: this entire area becomes a maximum crumple zone capable of absorbing frontal impacts, which are the most frequent and most dangerous.

The interior and exterior design of the Model Y also contributes to this overall performance, with a design conceived from the outset to maximize occupant protection.

Model 3: Undisputed Leader in its Category

The Tesla Model 3 stands out as the best Medium Car vehicle in the 2025 ranking, surpassing all competing sedans, whether German, Japanese, or Korean.

Its strengths are particularly evident in active systems: the Autonomous Emergency Braking demonstrates remarkable performance, capable of detecting and reacting to pedestrians and cyclists in complex situations. Lane Keeping Assist intervenes accurately and smoothly.

The Model 3 shares a shared platform with the Model Y, which explains this common safety DNA. Both vehicles benefit from the same structural and software advancements, creating consistency in excellence across the range.

If you’re receiving your Model 3 soon, check out our complete delivery checklist to ensure you fully enjoy all these safety systems from the very first kilometers.

Tesla’s Safety Philosophy Validated by Experts

A Systemic Rather Than “Checklist” Approach

What fundamentally distinguishes Tesla from traditional manufacturers is the systemic approach to safety. Where many add safety features as options or additional packages, Tesla integrates safety from the design stage as a fundamental pillar.

Continuous software updates enable permanent improvement of active safety systems, even on vehicles already delivered. This is a decisive advantage that traditional vehicles simply cannot offer.

The active technologies evaluated by ANCAP are particularly advanced on Teslas:

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with multi-scenario detection
• Lane Keeping Assist with gentle and progressive intervention
• Driver Monitoring System to monitor driver attention
• Natively Integrated Blindspot Detection

Carla Hoorweg, ANCAP CEO, also praised this comprehensive approach, which combines exceptional passive structure and cutting-edge active technologies. These results apply to Model Y and Model 3 from all origins, including vehicles manufactured in China, which validates the global consistency of Tesla’s quality.

Implications for Tesla Owners in Europe

Even though ANCAP operates in Australia and New Zealand, its methodologies are directly comparable to those of the European Euro NCAP. These results therefore have concrete implications for European owners.

On the insurance side, the recognition of active safety systems can result in reduced premiums. Some insurers are starting to adjust their rates based on independent crash-test scores.

The resale value also constitutes a major commercial argument. For used car buyers, these results provide significant reassurance regarding the quality and durability of the vehicle.

In France particularly, where sensitivity to road safety is strong, these distinctions address criticisms sometimes made about Tesla’s quality. The facts speak for themselves.

I must say that these ANCAP results are part of a broader dynamic of recognition for Tesla. The brand also won the “Overall Loyalty to Make” title for the 4th consecutive year, awarded by S&P Global Mobility, as well as the “Highest Conquest Percentage” for the 6th year. The figures are eloquent: 63.6% loyalty among Asian owners and 61.9% among Hispanics in the United States.

This exceptional loyalty stems from the trust owners place in their vehicles, a trust now validated by independent certification bodies like ANCAP. The Model Y and Model 3 don’t just promise safety: they demonstrate it through facts, test after test, year after year.