10 Affordable EVs Have The Best Safety Ratings, According to a New Study
Tesla Model Y Tops Law Bear’s Sub-$40,000 EV Safety Ranking
Buyers seeking an electric vehicle below $40,000 have a wider range of models with strong crash-protection results, though safety performance varies considerably even among similarly priced vehicles.
A study by Law Bear, which reviewed more than 50 electric vehicles, ranked the Tesla Model Y first with a 96.3 out of 100 Crash Protection Score. The Model Y carries a listed starting price of $39,990 and received top marks in the study’s front-corner crash, rear-seat protection, headlight and vehicle automatic-braking categories.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 placed second with a score of 93.8 and a starting price of $35,250. Law Bear said the Ioniq 5 earned top ratings in its three crash-test measures, while its headlight and automatic-braking scores were lower. NHTSA system-testing results for the model were listed as pending.
The Nissan Leaf, priced from $29,990, ranked third at 92.5. It was the least expensive vehicle in the top 10, according to the study. The Leaf received top scores for front-corner crash protection and headlights, but its rear-seat protection and automatic-braking measures were rated below the highest level. It had not passed any of the four NHTSA driver-assistance system tests included in the analysis.
Honda’s Prologue ranked fourth with a 90.0 score and a $39,900 starting price, followed by the Tesla Model 3 at 88.8 and $36,990. Both models were listed as passing all four NHTSA safety-system tests assessed by Law Bear.
The remainder of the ranking included the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6, tied at 83.8; the Subaru Solterra at 82.5; the Subaru Trailseeker at 80.0; and Toyota’s bZ at 77.5.
Law Bear’s scoring combines eight safety-related factors drawn from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety data, including front-corner and side-impact crash performance, rear-passenger protection, headlight ratings, vehicle and pedestrian automatic braking, seat-belt reminders and child-seat-anchor usability. The study also incorporated the number of NHTSA driver-assistance system tests each vehicle passed.
The rankings compare vehicles on the study’s selected measures and listed starting prices, rather than providing an overall assessment of every aspect of vehicle safety or ownership costs.