Tesla’s Model Y continues to gain popularity as one of the safest electric cars on the market. As demonstrated in a recently released ANCAP safety test, the compact SUV exhibited strong crash-avoidance qualities, particularly in a side-impact test, where the vehicle’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system responded with accuracy and applied just enough braking pressure to prevent an accident.
This demonstration belongs to the larger collection of tests that helped the Model Y receive a desirable 5-Star Overall Safety Rating provided by ANCAP.
Understanding the ANCAP Safety Evaluation
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) boasts of strict crash tests and safety analysis. Its tests involve a range of life-like collision simulations and dynamic safety technologies that prevent or mitigate accidents.
In order to receive a five-star rating, the vehicle should not only be rated highly in structural crashworthiness, including front, side, and pole impact, but also in active safety systems that can assist drivers to prevent dangerous situations. The Model Y showed remarkable competence in these categories, particularly automated driver-assistance functions, by Tesla.
Here's the new Tesla Model Y achieving a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from ANCAP. As part of the rating, the car is tested for its ability to avoid other vehicles. We can see here where it spots the oncoming car and brakes accordingly to avoid an imminent crash. pic.twitter.com/5pWVoaWW60
— techAU (@techAU) November 24, 2025
AEB Side-Impact Avoidance
In the video demonstration, the Model Y is heading towards a situation where another vehicle enters its path without warning. The sensors of the Model Y identify the danger before it runs head-on into an accident. The car acts accordingly by pressing the brakes so gently, so smoothly, so gracefully, so as to almost stop the car before letting the intruder pass by without harm.
This scene can be praised as an ode to the advanced sensor system of Tesla, which normally consists of cameras, radar (in some markets and constructions), and ultrasonic sensors. Due to the AI-based algorithms in decision-making, the vehicle will be able to analyse the distances, speeds, and paths at a rapid pace, which will help the vehicle decide on the safest course of action.
Why This Test Matters
Side-impact cases may be very dangerous on the highway. As compared to front impacts, drivers and passengers are less physically separated from the place of collision. Contact prevention is achieved by having a proper crash-avoidance technology that minimizes the risk.
ANCAP tests the performance of AEB in the following scenarios:
- Cross-traffic detection
- Turning-across-path situations
- Cyclist and pedestrian recognition.
- Vehicle-to-vehicle braking
The fact that the Model Y was successful on these trials proves that the system of this vehicle is not only reactive but predictive. Instead of stopping too sharply or too slowly, the AEB implements the optimal force, which depicts the well-developed sense of real-time risk of the algorithm.
