The 2022 Tesla Model Y has quickly become a popular choice in the electric SUV market, lauded for its performance and technology. But when it comes to safety, how does it hold up? As a leading resource for car diagnostics and automotive repair information, cardiagnosticnearme.com delves into the crash test ratings of the 2022 Tesla Model Y, providing you with a comprehensive overview based on rigorous industry standards. This analysis is derived from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluations, offering critical insights for prospective buyers and safety-conscious drivers. Let’s break down the performance of the 2022 Tesla Model Y in various crash scenarios.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end, on the driver’s side, strikes an object like a tree or pole. This is a particularly challenging test because it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the car. The 2022 Tesla Model Y, consistent with models from 2020-25, achieved a Good rating in this demanding evaluation.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | G |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
Action shot during the 2022 Tesla Model Y driver-side small overlap frontal crash test, showcasing vehicle integrity.
The detailed measurements from the test further illustrate the Model Y’s robust safety performance. Minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment was recorded, with measurements in centimeters ranging from 0 to 2cm across various points. Crucially, driver injury measures were also minimal. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) was a low 22, and chest compression was only 17mm. Femur and tibia forces were also negligible, indicating a low risk of leg and foot injuries.
Dummy position within the 2022 Tesla Model Y post-driver-side small overlap crash, demonstrating well-maintained survival space.
The IIHS noted that the driver’s survival space was “maintained very well” in the 2022 Tesla Model Y. The airbags, both frontal and side curtain, functioned effectively to protect the head from contacting жесткие structures or external objects. The risk of injuries to the legs and feet was assessed as low, reinforcing the ‘Good’ rating.
Effective airbag deployment in the 2022 Tesla Model Y small overlap test, protecting the driver’s head.
Leg and foot injury risk minimized in the 2022 Tesla Model Y, with well-maintained driver space during the small overlap test.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
Extending the small overlap assessment to the passenger side, the 2022 Tesla Model Y again demonstrated excellent safety characteristics, earning a Good overall rating. This evaluation is particularly important as it assesses the protection offered to the front passenger in a similar frontal offset collision.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Passenger injury measures – Chest | G |
| Passenger injury measures – Hip/Thigh | G |
| Passenger injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The passenger-side test, conducted by Tesla and assessed by IIHS, mirrors the driver-side test in terms of positive outcomes. Occupant compartment intrusion was slightly higher on the passenger side, but still within acceptable limits, ranging up to 4cm at the lower hinge pillar. Injury measures for the passenger dummy remained low across all categories, reaffirming the robust protection offered by the 2022 Tesla Model Y structure and restraint systems. Importantly, driver injury measures are also reported in the passenger-side test and also show “Good” ratings, indicating consistent performance across the front seating positions.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test (2020-23 Models)
The moderate overlap front crash test involves 40% of the vehicle’s front width impacting a deformable barrier. This test is designed to represent a common type of serious frontal collision. For 2020-23 models of the Tesla Model Y, including the 2022 model year, the original moderate overlap test resulted in a Good overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Left | G |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
Action shot from the 2022 Tesla Model Y moderate overlap frontal crash test, showing controlled deformation.
Measurements of occupant compartment intrusion were minimal, with maximum footwell intrusion at 3cm in the center and instrument panel rearward movement at 1cm on the left side. Driver injury measures were again very low, indicating a minimal risk of significant injuries in a crash of this nature. The HIC-15 for head injury was remarkably low at 107, and chest compression was measured at 18mm.
Post-crash dummy position inside the 2022 Tesla Model Y after the moderate overlap test, highlighting maintained driver space.
The IIHS observations noted that the driver’s survival space was maintained exceptionally well, and all leg and foot injury measures were low. Grease paint marks on the side curtain airbag indicated good head contact and protection during rebound.
Greasepaint evidence of head contact on the side curtain airbag in the 2022 Tesla Model Y moderate overlap crash, demonstrating effective protection.
Minimal intrusion and low injury risk in the 2022 Tesla Model Y moderate overlap test, confirming a safe driver environment.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Updated Test (2022-25 Models)
The IIHS updated its moderate overlap front crash test to include a rear passenger dummy and evaluate rear passenger protection. The 2022-25 Tesla Model Y models were subjected to this more stringent test, and the 2022 Model Y maintained its Good overall rating for driver protection and achieved an Acceptable rating for rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures – Thigh/Hip | G |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Chest | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Thigh | G |
| Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | A |
Vehicle damage and airbag deployment following the updated moderate overlap test of the 2022 Tesla Model Y.
While driver injury measures remained excellent, the rear passenger dummy’s head came close to the front seatback, which increased the potential risk of head injuries, contributing to the ‘Acceptable’ rating for rear passenger restraints. However, injury values for the rear passenger dummy indicated a low risk of head, neck, or chest injuries.
Rear passenger dummy head proximity to the front seatback in the updated moderate overlap test of the 2022 Tesla Model Y.
Low rear passenger injury risk readings from the 2022 Tesla Model Y updated moderate overlap crash test.
Lap belt positioning on the rear passenger dummy in the updated moderate overlap test of the 2022 Tesla Model Y.
Side Crash Test: Original Test (2020-23 Models)
In the original side crash test, which uses a moving deformable barrier to simulate a side impact, the 2020-23 Tesla Model Y models again achieved a Good overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Torso | G |
| Driver injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Torso | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
Post-side crash test view of the 2022 Tesla Model Y, showing structural integrity.
The structural measurements indicated minimal intrusion into the driver’s side occupant space. Injury measures for both driver and rear passenger dummies were low across all body regions, demonstrating effective protection from side impacts. Head protection was also rated as ‘Good’ for both front and rear occupants.
Side airbags deployed and occupant compartment damage in the 2022 Tesla Model Y original side crash test.
Driver dummy head greasepaint marks in the 2022 Tesla Model Y side crash test, confirming airbag head protection.
Rear passenger head protection from side airbag in the 2022 Tesla Model Y side crash, evidenced by greasepaint marks.
Side Crash Test: Updated Test (2022-25 Models)
The IIHS updated the side crash test to be more severe, using a heavier barrier and higher impact speed. The 2022-25 Tesla Model Y models were evaluated under this updated, more rigorous test, and still maintained a Good overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Torso | G |
| Driver injury measures – Pelvis | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Torso | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Pelvis | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
Exterior view of the 2022 Tesla Model Y right after the updated side crash test, demonstrating structural robustness.
Despite the increased severity of the test, the 2022 Tesla Model Y continued to provide excellent protection. Structural measurements showed slightly less intrusion than in the original test, and injury measures remained low for both driver and rear passenger dummies. Head protection was again rated as ‘Good’.
Side airbags deployed and cabin integrity maintained in the 2022 Tesla Model Y updated side crash test.
Driver dummy head protection confirmed by greasepaint markings in the 2022 Tesla Model Y updated side crash test.
Rear passenger head protection via side airbag in the updated side crash test of the 2022 Tesla Model Y, evidenced by greasepaint.
Roof Strength
The roof strength test evaluates the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. For 2020-23 models, the Tesla Model Y achieved a Good rating.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 4,342 lbs |
| Peak force | 19,188 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.42 |
The strength-to-weight ratio of 4.42 significantly exceeds the IIHS requirement, indicating a strong roof capable of providing good occupant protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
Evaluations of head restraints and seats are crucial for preventing neck injuries in rear-end collisions. The 2022 Tesla Model Y with power leather seats received a Good overall rating in this category.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Both the dynamic rating, which assesses performance in a simulated rear-end collision, and the seat/head restraint geometry, which measures the physical characteristics of the seat and head restraint, were rated as ‘Good’.
Headlights
Headlight performance is a critical safety feature, especially for nighttime driving. The IIHS evaluates headlights based on visibility and glare. The 2022 Tesla Model Y has two headlight variations. The Performance trim comes with LED projector headlights and achieves a Good overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria (Performance trim) | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | G |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
The Long Range trim is equipped with LED reflector headlights, earning an Acceptable overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria (Long Range trim) | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | A |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
The Performance trim’s LED projector headlights provide good visibility on straightaways and curves with no glare issues. The Long Range trim’s LED reflector headlights also offer good straightaway visibility, but have some limitations on curves and produce some glare, leading to the ‘Acceptable’ rating.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle & Pedestrian
The 2022 Tesla Model Y comes standard with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), and its vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system earns a Superior rating.
| Overall evaluation (Vehicle-to-Vehicle) | Rating |
|---|---|
| System details | Standard Automatic Emergency Braking |
| Forward collision warning | Yes |
| 12 mph test | Collision Avoided |
| 25 mph test | Collision Avoided |
In both 12 mph and 25 mph tests, the system successfully avoided collisions.
The pedestrian front crash prevention system also achieves a Superior rating in both daytime and nighttime tests.
| Overall evaluation (Pedestrian Day & Night) | Rating |
|---|---|
| System details | Standard Automatic Emergency Braking |
| Crossing child (12 mph & 25 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Crossing adult (12 mph & 25 mph) | Collision Avoided |
| Parallel adult (25 mph & 37 mph) | Collision Avoided |
The system effectively avoided collisions with pedestrians in various scenarios and speeds, both during the day and night, especially when utilizing high beams.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
For families, child seat anchor ease of use is important. The 2022 Tesla Model Y receives an Acceptable rating for its LATCH system.
| Overall evaluation (LATCH) | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | A |
| Number of rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware | 2 |
While the Model Y has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor, the lower anchors are noted as being too deep in the seat, impacting ease of use and contributing to the ‘Acceptable’ rating.
Conclusion
The 2022 Tesla Model Y demonstrates robust safety performance across a range of demanding crash tests conducted by the IIHS. Achieving mostly Good ratings in crashworthiness evaluations, along with Superior ratings for front crash prevention systems, the Model Y stands out as a safe choice in the electric SUV category. While headlight ratings vary by trim and LATCH system usability is rated as ‘Acceptable’, the overall safety profile of the 2022 Tesla Model Y is undeniably strong. For car buyers prioritizing safety, the 2022 Tesla Model Y offers significant peace of mind, backed by independent and rigorous testing.
