Why Tesla’s Model X Was the First SUV to Receive a Perfect Crash-Test Rating

The source provides a detailed analysis of the Tesla Model X’s perfect crash-test score from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), explaining why it became the first SUV to achieve five stars in every category. It argues that this safety benchmark was not accidental but resulted from deliberate engineering choices inherent in electric vehicle (EV) architecture. Specifically, the episode highlights how the low-mounted battery pack lowers the center of gravity to reduce rollover risk and creates a rigid structural advantage for crash energy dissipation. Furthermore, the analysis contrasts the Model X's safety performance with that of traditional internal-combustion engine SUVs, asserting that the EV design, coupled with advanced active and passive safety systems, set a new industry standard for occupant protection. This milestone is presented as a case study demonstrating the superior crashworthiness of purpose-built EV platforms.