How safe is the Tesla Model S 4WD?
Drivers of the 2017–2020 Tesla Model S 4WD died at a rate of 17 per million registered vehicle years, 52% lower than the average of 38 for all vehicles. That makes it safer than most vehicles for its driver: it ranks 38th of 127 vehicles, safer than 71% of them, whether they're small cars, SUVs, pickups or minivans.
The newer 2023 IIHS study had too little data on this model to rank it, so this page uses the earlier study of 2017–2020 models, ranked among 127 vehicles from that study.
Where the Tesla Model S 4WD sits among all 127 vehicles
Tesla Model S 4WD (bar is the 95% range)Every other ranked vehicleDashed line: average of 38
The rate is based on a moderate amount of data, so treat small differences from nearby vehicles with caution.
Vehicles ranked near the Tesla Model S 4WD
These are the vehicles just above and below it on the all-class ranking. Notice they aren't all the same type: the ranking compares every vehicle against every other one. Ranks use each rate after adjusting for how much data is behind it, so a rate of 0 from a few vehicles can rank below a slightly higher rate from many. Why.
| Rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab 4WDPickup · Large | 14 | 73 |
| 36 | Honda CR-V 4WDSUV · Small | 14 | 72 |
| 37 | Jeep Gladiator 4WDPickup · Small | 15 | 71 |
| 38 | Tesla Model S 4WDLuxury car · Large | 17 | 71 |
| 39 | Hyundai Santa FeSUV · Small | 18 | 70 |
| 40 | Toyota Camry hybridCar · Midsize | 19 | 68 |
| 41 | Chrysler Pacifica 2WDWagon / minivan · Very large | 20 | 68 |
How it compares with other luxury cars
Among the 6 luxury cars ranked, the Tesla Model S 4WD is 5th. The safest luxury cars are below. See all luxury cars.
| Luxury cars rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus ES 350Luxury car · Midsize | 0 | 94 |
| 2 | Audi A4Luxury car · Midsize | 11 | 79 |
| 3 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedanLuxury car · Midsize | 13 | 76 |
| 4 | Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedanLuxury car · Large | 14 | 75 |
| 5 | Tesla Model S 4WDLuxury car · Large | 17 | 71 |
Common questions
Is the Tesla Model S 4WD a safe vehicle?
By real-world driver deaths, the Tesla Model S 4WD is safer than most vehicles for its driver. Its driver death rate of 17 per million registered vehicle years is 52% lower than the average, and it ranks 38th of 127 vehicles across all classes.
How does the Tesla Model S 4WD compare with other luxury cars?
It ranks 5th of 6 luxury cars. The safest is the Lexus ES 350, with a rate of 0.
Why is this different from the Tesla Model S 4WD's crash-test rating?
Crash-test stars only compare vehicles of similar size and weight, so a 5-star small car and a 5-star SUV aren't equally safe. This ranking uses real-world driver death rates, which can be compared across every class.
* Driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. A registered vehicle year is one vehicle registered for one year.