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Comment by JamesMcMinn | Hacker News Reader

Model S "only" gets second highest rating in a single test.

The headline is not only wrong (it aced all but one test, so didn't fall to ace "some tests"), but seems designed to make it sound much worse than the report actually suggests.

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It's mainly part of a campaign against EV, so here, even wording is carefully chosen to bring this sentiment.

Not really surprised by some recent news on those subject.

Tesla has repeatedly boasted that the Model S is the "safest car ever made". It has been a focal point of their marketing for some time. So when there's evidence to the contrary it makes for great headlines- I wouldn't call it a campaign against EVs in general.

Is there another car that aces all the tests?

Edit found a bit more info here http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/in-the-best-light-...

In the Euro NCAP ratings the Model S seems to do well (5 stars) but there are a fair number of cars that do even better.

https://www.euroncap.com/en

Mercedes E-Class

To be fair, to quote from the article: "In the test, the seat belt in Tesla's Model S was not effective and could lead to the driver's head striking the steering wheel hard through the air bag, according to the report."

I don't understand how this is a "second highest score" instead of a complete fail?

Agreed, the seat belt is pretty damn significant to passenger safety, the car should be outright given 1 star. Tesla would immediately respond with a recall.

It's not even like it's new technology, seat belts should never ever fail.

That is hilarious!

I mean, seriously. I mean, if that is how their seat belt work, I am pretty sure their "autopilot" would be out of this world/s (or take you out of this world..)

They may have run a battery of tests and it's likelihood of happening is low. I wonder if the test results are publicly available.

> fails to ace some tests > plural

But the article only mentions one imperfect score. I have to agree with you - click bait.

You can read the IIHS's own release here:

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/three-large-cars-j...

The Reuters summary omits some details but is more neutral. The headline is neither wrong nor designed to make the report sound worse than it is.

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