At EVROOM, driver and pedestrian safety is our #1 concern. So, of course, we are pleased that Tesla includes most of what we consider the necessary safety features on all their 2023 Tesla models. We say “most” because, for some unknown reason, Tesla doesn’t include or even offer Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance and 360 View.
It truly baffles us that most manufacturers—electric vehicle and gas-powered alike—are still excluding or requiring car buyers to pay extra for things like rear cross-traffic detection, and frontal collision avoidance with pedestrian detection.
Overall, Tesla’s safety features are stronger than most. Here’s an overview of what you can expect for Tesla’s active safety features in 2023:
2023 Tesla Safety Cameras and Sensors
All Tesla models come standard with 8 cameras and can be equipped with up to 12 sensors and one radar. These cameras and sensors can be difficult to detect by the naked eye. But with a little guidance, they are easy to spot.
- One Camera is mounted above the rear license plate.
- Ultrasonic sensors are in the front and rear bumpers. The number of sensors is determined by the Autopilot option and capabilities that were originally purchased with the vehicle.
- There are cameras mounted on each door pillar.
- Three cameras are mounted above the rearview mirror. Two are front-facing and one monitors the driver’s attention during Autopilot and Self-Driving applications.
- Each front fender has a camera to monitor the driver’s blind spots.
- If the vehicle has Self-Driving capability, the radar is located in the front bumper.
Despite the plethora of cameras, Tesla has opted not to include a 360 View on any of their 2023 models. This feature, which is common in many luxury cars, stitches the monitors together to give the driver the ability to see around the vehicle from a seemingly birds-eye view. We find this to be a strange omission by Tesla.
Tesla’s Standard Active Safety Features
The previously mentioned cameras and sensors provide the following safety features that are standard on all Tesla models:
Lane Assist
Lane Assist monitors the path and blindspots of the Tesla. Lane Assist warns you if you are traveling outside the lines of the road or if your path may be blocked or impeded by another car, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian.
In the event the system detects the vehicle is unintentionally departing the roadway, Lane Assist will vibrate the steering wheel and if no action is taken it also has the ability to steer your Tesla back onto the road (Active Lane Correction).
Tesla Collision-Avoidance Assist
To further protect drivers, passengers, and others, Teslas come standard with collision avoidance features including Forward Collision Warning. Like Lane Assist, Frontal Collision Warning will send auditory, and visual warnings that an object is in its path. If the driver doesn’t respond the Tesla will decelerate.
In the event that an accident is likely to occur, the Automatic Emergency Braking system will take over and automatically apply the brakes to reduce the impact of a frontal collision.
Lastly, while you are in reverse, the Collision Avoidance Assist will warn you if your Tesla may collide with an object.
Not Included: Tesla Omits Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance
Despite having the ability to self-drive, Teslas are not equipped with Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance (the system to detect rear cross-traffic and also have the ability to apply the brakes to avoid a collision). This fact was a bit shocking to us and had many current Tesla owners up in arms in some common Tesla owner forums.
We’ll see if this feedback is heard and makes a difference in future Tesla models as more self-driving options become available.
Bottom Line
Maybe Tesla engineers have spent a little too much time trying to figure out Autonomous Self-Driving and forgot about Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance and 360 View.
Or, maybe they thought that these features were unnecessary. Whatever the case, when it comes to electric car safety, we believe Tesla is still at the front of the pack and hope to see them continue to improve in the years ahead.
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