Tesla’s Cybertruck has just achieved a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)—a milestone that has set the internet on fire.
Just a few hours ago, the NHTSA officially published the results of its crash tests, confirming that the Cybertruck is not just an attention-grabbing beast but also one of the safest vehicles on the road.
Following this announcement, Tesla employees, from CEO Elon Musk to the chief Cybertruck engineer, celebrated this victory. The official Cybertruck account on X wasted no time in breaking the news, writing:
“Cybertruck achieves 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Including the lowest overall probability of injury & lowest chance of rollover of any pickup truck tested by NHTSA.”
Accompanying the post was a screenshot from the NHTSA’s 2025 Tesla Cybertruck safety test, showing the prestigious 5-star rating.
Cybertruck achieves 5-Star Overall Safety Rating from NHTSA
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Including the lowest overall probability of injury & lowest chance of rollover of any pickup truck tested by NHTSA pic.twitter.com/7uNojL7KRn
— Cybertruck (@cybertruck) February 18, 2025
But if there’s one reaction that truly made headlines, it was Elon Musk’s short but bold statement. Musk, who has been relatively quiet about Tesla’s achievements lately, took to X and declared:
“Cybertruck is apocalypse-level safe.”
A fitting statement for a vehicle that looks like it just drove out of a dystopian future.
Cybertruck is apocalypse-level safe https://t.co/Qqr07H7r3Y
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 19, 2025
Tesla Fans Rejoice, but the Debate is Far from Over
Tesla enthusiasts quickly jumped in to celebrate. Many fans praised Musk’s statement, calling the Cybertruck the safest and most advanced pickup truck ever built. Some even argued that this 5-star rating should put an end to all discussions about the truck’s safety.
But will it?
Not so fast.
Despite the Cybertruck’s perfect 5-star overall safety rating, critics are far from convinced—and for good reason.
Pedestrian Safety Concerns
While the NHTSA test proves that the Cybertruck is incredibly safe for its occupants, there’s still an unresolved question: What about everyone else on the road?
One of the biggest criticisms against the Cybertruck is its stainless steel exterior with sharp edges. Many experts and safety advocates have warned that its rigid design could pose a serious risk to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
The concerns are so serious that the Cybertruck isn’t even street-legal in Europe.
Yes, you read that right.
In order to drive the Cybertruck in Europe, importers are being forced to cover the vehicle’s sharp edges with rubber modifications. Otherwise, it cannot legally be driven on European roads due to pedestrian safety regulations.
Front-End Crumple Zone: A Potential Weak Spot?
Another controversial aspect of the Cybertruck’s safety is its small front crumple zone. Unlike traditional trucks, which have larger front ends designed to absorb impact in a collision, the Cybertruck’s unique design raises concerns about how well it can protect passengers in a head-on crash.
According to the NHTSA’s frontal collision test results, the Cybertruck scored:
- 5 stars for driver-side protection
- 4 stars for passenger-side protection
The NHTSA defines the Frontal Barrier Test as follows:
“The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles. The test vehicle crashes into a flat, rigid barrier at 35 mph.”
While Tesla’s results are still impressive, the 4-star passenger-side rating suggests there’s room for improvement in protecting passengers in front-end collisions.
Rollover Risk: Expected but Still Notable
Another area where the Cybertruck didn’t score a perfect 5 stars was rollover resistance.
The NHTSA’s Rollover Resistance Test measures the likelihood of a vehicle rolling over in a single-vehicle loss-of-control scenario.
While the Cybertruck only scored 4 stars in this category, Tesla fans were quick to point out that this was expected. After all, the Cybertruck is a tall and heavy vehicle, meaning its center of gravity naturally makes it more prone to rollovers than lower-profile vehicles.
Even with a 4-star rating, the Cybertruck still boasts the lowest probability of rollover (12.4%) among all pickup trucks tested by the NHTSA.
A Safe Fortress on Wheels?
So, what’s the takeaway?
- The Cybertruck is undeniably one of the safest trucks ever tested for its passengers.
- It excels in crash safety, offering unparalleled protection to its occupants.
- It has the lowest probability of injury and rollover compared to any other pickup truck.
But…
- Concerns about pedestrian safety remain unresolved.
- Its small front crumple zone raises questions about passenger-side protection in crashes.
- It is not legally allowed on European roads without modifications.
Bottom line? If you’re inside the Cybertruck, you’re in one of the safest vehicles on the road. But if you’re outside of it, you might want to stay out of its way.
With Tesla fans celebrating and critics raising concerns, one thing is certain—the debate over the Cybertruck’s safety is far from over.
What do you think? Is the Cybertruck truly the future of safe trucks, or are its critics making valid points? Let us know in the comments.
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