These EVs Missed Out on IIHS Crash-Test Awards
Key points:
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-tested seven model-year 2025 electric vehicles, but none earned either of the agency’s awards.
- Only the Nissan Ariya and Chevrolet Blazer EV were tested in all evaluations, but both models missed out on the awards due to their performances in the front impact crash tests.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently tested seven electric vehicles, and while many did well in individual crash tests as well as crash prevention system and headlight evaluations, none earned the agency’s Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards.
Related: These Cars Do Well in Crash Tests for 2025, According to IIHS
IIHS tested model-year 2025 versions of the BMW i4, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, Nissan Ariya, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Cybertruck and Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Continue below for details on how each model scored.
How Did the 2025 BMW i4 Score in Crash Tests?
BMW’s i4 sedan earned good ratings in the moderate overlap front crash test as well as in the agency’s pedestrian crash prevention evaluation. However, its headlights earned a marginal or poor rating, depending on how the car is equipped. IIHS did not test the i4 in the small overlap front or side crashes or in vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention.
How Did the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV Score in Crash Tests?
Chevrolet’s mid-size SUV earned good ratings in the moderate overlap front and side impact tests, but earned only an acceptable rating in the small overlap front test. The Blazer EV earned an acceptable rating in pedestrian crash prevention and a good score in vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention. Its headlights only earned an acceptable rating, however.
How Did the 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning Score in Crash Tests?
The Ford F-150 Lightning earned a good rating in pedestrian crash prevention, but vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention wasn’t tested. Its headlights are rated acceptable, and the electric pickup truck earned a poor rating in the moderate overlap front test. IIHS said the pickup offered good protection for the driver but fell short when it came to protecting passengers in the rear.
“In the F-150 Lightning, measurements taken from the rear dummy showed a high risk of not only chest injuries, but also injuries to the head or neck. In addition, the rear dummy’s lap belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis onto the abdomen, which increases the risk of internal injuries,” IIHS said in its report.
How Did the 2025 Nissan Ariya Score in Crash Tests?
Nissan’s compact SUV earned several good scores, including in the small front overlap front test, as well as in the side crash test and pedestrian crash prevention evaluation. However, it earned a marginal grade in moderate overlap front testing. As with the F-150 Lightning, the rear seat dummy in the Ariya had some injuries.
“The Ariya’s restraints worked well to control the motion of the rear dummy during the crash, but injury metrics showed a high risk of chest injuries,” IIHS said in a statement.
How Did the 2025 Tesla Cybertruck Score in Crash Tests?
Tesla’s pickup earned good ratings in the moderate overlap front and pedestrian crash prevention tests but a poor rating for its headlights. IIHS said the moderate overlap test rating only applies to models built after April 2025, when changes were made to the Cybertruck’s front underbody structure. The agency did not test the Cybertruck in vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention or small front overlap or side crashes.
How Did the 2025 Tesla Model 3 Score in Crash Tests?
The Tesla Model 3 earned an acceptable rating in the moderate overlap test but was not tested for small front overlap crash protection. As with some other EVs, IIHS said measurements taken from the rear dummy indicated a somewhat elevated risk of chest injuries due to high seat belt forces. The electric sedan earned good scores in side crash testing as well as pedestrian and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention, but its headlights earned an acceptable rating.
How Did the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Score in Crash Tests?
Volkswagen’s electric minivan earned a good rating in the moderate overlap front test, but only an acceptable rating for pedestrian crash prevention and its headlights. IIHS did not test the ID. Buzz in the small overlap front or side impact tests.
What About Top Safety Pick, Top Safety Pick+ Awards?
It’s too soon to tell how many 2025 EVs will be awarded IIHS’ Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards because of incomplete testing. The agency said that only the Nissan Ariya and Chevrolet Blazer EV have undergone all the tests required for the top awards, but neither met the criteria. Both models missed out on qualifying for either award due to their scores in the front impact crash tests.
To qualify as a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the small overlap front and side impact tests, score good or acceptable in an evaluation of front crash prevention systems, and come standard with headlights that rate good or acceptable. To earn the Top Safety Pick+ designation, a good test score in the moderate overlap crash test is required. The Ariya earned a marginal rating in the moderate overlap front test, and the Blazer EV earned an acceptable rating in the small overlap front test.
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