Tesla Cybertruck Receives IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award

Autoblog reports that the Tesla Cybertruck has earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating after safety updates made in 2025. Learn what changed and why it matters

The Tesla Cybertruck, once widely mocked for its sharp-edged design and perceived safety risks, has now earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, marking a significant shift in how the vehicle is viewed from a safety perspective.

The distinction, however, comes with an important caveat. The award applies only to Cybertrucks built after April 2025. To meet the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s tougher standards, Tesla introduced structural updates to the front underbody and footwell areas, specifically targeting improved performance in small overlap frontal crashes, including on the passenger side.

With these changes in place, the Cybertruck achieved Good ratings across key crashworthiness tests, as well as strong results in crash avoidance systems. Its pedestrian front crash prevention technology performed effectively in multiple scenarios, both during the day and at night, helping secure the highest overall rating.

Despite this progress, the truck’s controversial exterior design remains a point of contention. While it now meets U.S. safety benchmarks, the Cybertruck still fails to comply with European regulations. Tesla has acknowledged that EU rules requiring rounded protruding surfaces cannot be met with the vehicle’s stainless steel body panels, effectively blocking its entry into that market.

The result is a vehicle with a divided reputation: highly rated for occupant safety in the United States, yet restricted elsewhere due to design constraints. For Tesla, the IIHS recognition represents a notable milestone, but it also underscores the ongoing tension between radical design choices and global safety standards.