Crash Tests in Europe and the Tesla Model 3

Euro NCAP was established in 1997 by several European governments to perform crash tests on new vehicles and to assess their overall safety characteristics. In effect, it is something like IIHS and NHTSA in the U.S. Euro NCAP has recently released the results of test of six cars that have been smashed and bashed, some of which aren’t available in the U.S., one of which is the poster child for electric vehicles not only in the U.S. but arguably the world over. Yes, the Tesla Model 3.

The Tesla Model 3 after Euro NCAP testing.

(Images: Euro NCAP)

In addition to the Model 3, which rated five stars in the Euro NCAP testing (the highest score), the Škoda Scala, which is classified as a “Small Family Car,” achieved five, as did the Mercedes B-Class and the Mercedes GLE.

The two of the six that didn’t get five stars, the Kia Cee’d (a Euro-based vehicle analogous to the Kia Forte in the U.S. market, but not the Forte ) and the DS 3 Crossback (a subcompact luxury crossover from a Groupe PSA brand), received four, but apparently would have gotten five “when equipped with an optional safety pack.”

Škoda Scala after engaging a barrier.

That is, like IIHS testing, it is no longer just about the vehicular structures but the safety assistance packages that are on the vehicles matter, too.

Tesla fan boys everywhere—as well as Tesla owners that would like the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the vehicle they drive in is comparatively safe—will be delighted to know that the Model 3 had a perfect score in the frontal offset deformable barrier crash test. What’s more, it scored 94 percent in the Safety Assist tests (the aforementioned things like lane-keeping and automatic emergency braking), the best score Euro NCAP has registered in that category.

However, as regards Adult Occupant Protection, the Model 3’s score of 96 was beaten by the Scala’s 97.