Tesla Model S Is the Safest Car Ever Crash Tested in the US

The Tesla Model STesla Model SUnited States of America, 2012 > present2 photos
has become the highest rated car ever tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US. It scored not only a five-star score overall but five stars in every subcategory, including front, side, rear and rollover accidents. Only 1% of cars tested by NHTSA have received a five-star score overall. 

The Model S has the advantage of having a large crumple zone in the front and rear because there is no engine block or fuel tank. The Model S' electric motor is mounted on the rear axle and only takes up about one square foot of space (929 square centimeters). It means that there is a comparatively massive area at the front of the car to protect the driver.

Among cars with a five-star overall rating, the Model S was the only one to receive a "good" rating in side impacts. In the test, the Model S preserved 63.5% of driver residual space. In comparison, the Volvo S60Volvo S60 Gen.2Sweden, 2009 > present252 versions
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, which also have a five-star overall rating, preserved 7.8% of driver residual space. TeslaTeslaUnited States of America, 2003 > present4 models
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says the reason that is performs so well is because extruded aluminum rails run through the sides and transfer side loads to the rest of the car. 

NHTSA tested a Model S with the optional third row, rear facing jump seats that allows the Model S to seat seven people in a pinch. For these cars, Tesla installs a double bumper with a second bumper inside the car for extra protection. 

In the rollover test, NHTSA was not able to perform the rollover test that it usually does because the Tesla would not roll. It actually broke the test equipment at 4g of pressure, which means four Model S cars could be put on the roof with no serious deformation. Its center of gravity is especially low because of its axle-mounted electric motor and floor-mounted battery pack.

NHTSA released videos for three of the tests, but did not release the video of the attempted rollover test. You can watch the videos below.