The Tesla Model 3 has been crowned Europe’s safest new car for 2025, according to the latest round of Euro NCAP crash tests. Under newly updated and stricter safety protocols, the Model 3 scored a remarkable 359 out of 400 possible points, leading all 20 newly tested vehicles and earning high marks across adult protection, child safety, pedestrian awareness, and active driver-assistance systems.
But in typical Tesla fashion, the celebration comes with caveats.
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Where The Model 3 Shines
Despite being on the market longer than most of its rivals, the updated Model 3 continues to impress crash-test agencies. It scored 90% for adult occupant protection, 93% for child safety, 89% for pedestrian impact, and 87% in Safety Assist systems. Euro NCAP highlighted its upgraded autonomous emergency braking (AEB), as well as pedestrian detection and child presence alerts.
Even Tesla’s infamous pop-up hood design received praise for reducing injury risk during a collision with pedestrians — a clever bit of packaging that’s often overlooked in the EV arms race.
It’s worth noting that these safety figures apply specifically to the new European-built variant, but U.S. versions share the same platform, safety tech, and most core hardware.
Autopilot Still Raises Eyebrows
Still, Euro NCAP issued a familiar warning about Autopilot misuse, reminding buyers that Tesla’s driver-assist system still requires active supervision. That’s particularly relevant in the U.S., where a long-running debate continues over Autopilot’s branding, expectations, and real-world limitations. And while Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised system isn’t yet approved in Europe, its potential rollout has raised further safety questions.
Tesla’s autonomous systems have come under increased scrutiny lately — and not just in testing. According to recent reports, Tesla’s robotaxi prototypes are already being caught breaking traffic laws, prompting NHTSA inquiries before the service even fully launches.
Safety, Stats, And Surprises
The Model 3’s five-star safety performance in Europe is part of why the car remains so dominant in the EV segment. But as our analysis showed earlier this year, Tesla is still responsible for more fatal accidents than any other carmaker— not necessarily because the cars are unsafe, but due to factors like high mileage use, driver behavior, and the complexities of partial autonomy.
And yet, the Model 3 keeps selling. Even amid a Q2 sales drop, it remains one of Tesla’s top performers, outpacing the newer but slightly more expensive Model Y in certain markets.
If you’re deciding between the two, our Model 3 vs. Model Y breakdown lays out the key differences — the Model 3 is sleeker and more efficient, while the Y offers more cargo and interior space.
Or maybe you’re cross-shopping rivals like the Polestar 2. If so, we’ve already run the head-to-head: Tesla Model 3 vs. Polestar 2 is a genuine toss-up depending on your priorities — though in terms of crash protection, Tesla now has the upper hand.
One Of The Safest EVs — Just Don’t Overthink It
With Euro NCAP’s award, Tesla can rightly claim that the Model 3 is among the safest cars you can buy in 2025. But safety isn’t just about ratings on a page. It’s about how drivers use the technology, how regulators manage its rollout, and how Tesla communicates what its systems can — and can’t — do.
Still, if you’re simply looking for an EV with standout crash protection, cutting-edge driver assistance, and segment-leading safety scores, the Model 3 just made a convincing case for itself. Again.
