The Tesla Cybertruck has been one of the most polarizing vehicles on the road since its debut, thanks to its futuristic stainless-steel design and uncompromising geometry. But beneath the bold styling and viral headlines, the real question many shoppers and enthusiasts want answered is simple: how safe is it?
With the latest results in from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), we now have a clearer picture of just how the Cybertruck stacks up when it comes to protecting occupants and avoiding accidents. The findings are impressive in many respects, though not without some caveats.
Crash Test Performance
In the updated moderate overlap front crash test, the IIHS gave the Tesla Cybertruck a “Good” rating, the top score available. Importantly, this rating applies to Cybertrucks built after April 2025, when Tesla quietly reinforced the front underbody structure. This improvement ensured that the massive pickup could better dissipate energy in a crash, improving results for both driver and passengers.
The test dummy in the driver’s seat showed low risk of injury to critical areas such as the head, chest, and legs, an excellent outcome given the sheer mass and rigid structure of the Cybertruck. The rear passenger dummy did register a moderate risk of chest injury, a reminder that back-seat safety still lags behind the front in many modern vehicles.
Overall, these results line up with the five-star crash test rating that the NHTSA has already awarded the Cybertruck, confirming that Tesla’s first pickup is not only bold in design but also robust when it matters most.
Collision Avoidance: A Perfect Score
Where the Cybertruck truly shines is in collision avoidance and crash prevention testing. The truck aced every scenario, avoiding impacts entirely at speeds of 12 and 25 mph, both during the day and at night.
Even more impressively, the Cybertruck navigated tougher nighttime tests at 25 and 37 mph when another vehicle was traveling in parallel. These situations replicate some of the most challenging real-world scenarios where vehicles often fail to detect obstacles or pedestrians. Tesla’s advanced driver assistance technology and strong sensor suite paid off here, addressing long-standing concerns about how the Cybertruck’s shape and size might interact with road users.
For buyers who prioritize cutting-edge safety systems and active prevention, this is a major win.
The Slight Headlight Issue
Despite the excellent crashworthiness and collision avoidance scores, the Cybertruck did not earn the coveted IIHS Top Safety Pick award. The sticking point? Its headlights.
According to the IIHS, “systems that create excessive levels of glare on specific road sections do not receive full credit for visibility readings in that scenario.” The Cybertruck’s futuristic lighting signature unfortunately suffers from this issue. Testers found glare levels to be too high, which could potentially blind or distract oncoming drivers.
On top of that, illumination coverage was not consistent. The left side of the road and left-hand turns were areas where the lights struggled, leaving noticeable dark spots. By contrast, the right side of the road performed much better, creating an uneven overall result.
For Tesla, this is likely an area where future software updates or hardware tweaks could yield significant improvement. Given the company’s history of over-the-air fixes, it is not unrealistic to expect headlight performance to evolve in the coming years.
Safety Beyond the Ratings
While crash tests and headlights dominate the headlines, it is also worth considering how Cybertruck owners can further enhance safety and performance through upgrades. For example, premium aftermarket wheels can make a measurable difference. High-quality forged or flow-formed wheels not only reduce unsprung mass, improving handling and braking response, but also provide a stronger, more durable platform for the truck’s massive tires.
For a vehicle as heavy and powerful as the Cybertruck, upgraded wheels are not just about aesthetics. They can play a role in stability and accident avoidance, especially during emergency maneuvers or at highway speeds. Paired with Tesla’s advanced safety systems, they add another layer of confidence to an already capable package.
Final Thoughts
The Tesla Cybertruck has lived up to its bold reputation in the safety arena, proving that its radical design does not come at the expense of occupant protection or crash prevention. With “Good” crash test ratings, five stars from the NHTSA, and flawless collision avoidance performance, it clearly stands among the safest trucks on the market today.
Its headlights remain pretty much the only weak point, keeping it from the IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Still, the overall package shows Tesla’s commitment to safety engineering, one that is only likely to improve as updates roll out.
For prospective buyers, especially those planning to upgrade with stronger wheels and performance-focused components, the Cybertruck represents not just a bold statement on the road but also a safe, forward-looking investment in automotive innovation.
