Model 3 2025 Safety Test: Good, Acceptable, Or Something Else?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety put the refreshed 2025 Tesla Model 3 through its newest crash program, and the results tell a clear story about where the car shines and where Tesla still has room to improve. In the updated moderate overlap front test, the Model 3 earned an overall “Acceptable,” driven mainly by higher chest forces recorded on the rear seat dummy. Everything up front looked strong—structure, airbags, and belt performance for the driver were all rated “Good.”

On the flip side, side-impact protection was a highlight. In the tougher, higher-energy side test, the Model 3 scored a “Good” overall, with the rear passenger measures also reading “Good.” The driver’s torso and pelvis came in at “Acceptable,” which still indicates solid protection in a severe hit.

Active safety technology did its job, too. The Model 3 earned “Good” in vehicle to vehicle collision avoidance version 2.0 and in pedestrian crash prevention, with clean runs across multiple speeds and scenarios. Headlights were rated “Acceptable” across trims, which means night visibility is decent but not class-leading. Seat belt reminders were marked “Marginal,” and the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system scored “Acceptable” for ease of use. Put together, it is a safe small luxury sedan with outstanding crash structure and strong crash-avoidance technology, and a clear to-do around rear seat belt tuning.

If you are shopping for a 2025 Model 3, the takeaway is simple: front occupant protection and side protection look excellent, and the driver assistance features are performing at a high level in standardized tests. Families who regularly carry passengers in the back will want to pay special attention to belt fit and positioning, since the updated moderate overlap test now weighs back seat protection more heavily than before.