- Amid stringent safety norms, Tesla's Cybertruck has achieved the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2025, putting it ahead of segment leaders like the Ford F-150.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently published its final set of safety ratings for 2025, and among the 16 vehicles earning awards this year, the Tesla Cybertruck stands out for more reasons than one. The all-electric pickup earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating, the only two pickup trucks to achieve it this year along with the Toyota Tundra Crew Cab. The result is especially notable given that several high-volume models, including the Ford F-150, Jeep Gladiator and Ram 1500 Crew Cab, failed to qualify under the latest criteria.
The IIHS tested 20 new vehicles as part of the final cycle, with awards reserved for models that met stringent standards in factors such as crashworthiness, pedestrian protection and headlamp ratings. To earn the top-tier “Plus” rating, a “Good” rating was mandatory in both the small overlap front crash and side impact tests, as well as acceptable or good performance in pedestrian front crash prevention and headlights in all trims. The Cybertruck met these limitations after undergoing major structural updates in the middle of the model year.
How did the Cybertruck perform?
According to IIHS evaluation data, Tesla introduced changes to the Cybertruck's front underbody structure and footwell, beginning with models manufactured after April 2025. These updates were intended to improve passenger safety in driver-side small overlap front crashes, which has become increasingly challenging with increasingly strict protocols. With these modifications, the Cybertruck achieved “Good” ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side impact tests.
The electric pickup also performed strongly in crash avoidance and mitigation assessments. Its pedestrian front crash prevention system and headlights were both rated “Good”, meeting one of the main criteria for Top Safety Pick+ eligibility. While secondary evaluations such as seat belt reminder effectiveness and LATCH ease of use were rated Marginal and Acceptable, respectively, these factors do not currently impact award eligibility, although they may still matter to buyers.
Also Read: 2025 Toyota Hilux gets 5-star safety rating in ANCAP crash test
rising safety standards
The Cybertruck's validation comes at a time when traditional pickups have found it difficult to adapt to evolving safety standards. Models like the F-150 and Ram 1500 weren't honored this year not because of a lack of safety equipment, but because of the difficulty in meeting new scenarios. This highlights how structural and platform-level updates are becoming essential for top security ratings.
It is worth noting that, while the Cybertruck managed to receive the top safety award from the IIHS, it still does not meet European standards of safety. As of the end of 2025, the model is not officially sold in the region. European regulations place strict requirements on pedestrian protection, impact absorption area and outer edge radius, all of which conflict with the Cybertruck's angular stainless-steel bodywork.
Additionally, it weighs approximately 3.5 tonnes, requiring speed limiters and reinforced braking systems. The Cybertruck doesn't currently have these, and there's no official word on whether Tesla is actively developing a version that meets EU standards.
For now, the Cybertruck remains a North America-focused product, where its unconventional design suits American safety standards. Despite the polarizing form factor, the pickup still manages to meet some of the most demanding benchmarks currently in place, something that even the best-selling models in the segment are struggling to achieve.
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First publication date: 17 Dec 2025, 16:38 PM IST
