Tesla Cybertruck Too Safe for Even Musk’s Biggest Critics to Ignore

Key Takeaways

• Brian Krassenstein, vocal Musk critic, bought a Cybertruck for safety.
• 2025 Cybertruck earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and NHTSA 5‑star rating.
• Only pickup with both highest safety awards, showing superior crash protection.
• Safety credentials may attract families, expanding EV pickup market.

Pulse Analysis

The 2025 Tesla Cybertruck has become a benchmark for pickup‑truck safety. It is the only light‑truck to receive the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, posting “Good” scores in every crashworthiness test, including the updated moderate‑overlap front impact. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also gave it a perfect five‑star overall rating, with top marks in frontal, side and rollover categories. Tesla’s stainless‑steel exoskeleton and ultra‑rigid passenger cell replace traditional crumple zones, delivering a fortified cabin that has withstood real‑world high‑speed sideswipes with minimal intrusion.

That safety pedigree forced even Elon Musk’s most vocal detractors to reconsider. Brian Krassenstein, a longtime critic of Musk’s social‑media policies, announced on X that he bought a Cybertruck for his young family, explicitly citing the vehicle’s safety record rather than brand loyalty or politics. His admission sparked the usual aesthetic and ideological backlash, yet the underlying message resonated: objective crash data can cut through partisan narratives. As more consumers see safety metrics presented as hard facts, the debate shifts from style wars to measurable protection.

For the broader EV market, the Cybertruck’s safety credentials could widen its appeal beyond early adopters. Families that prioritize occupant protection may now view an electric pickup as a viable alternative to conventional trucks, especially as gasoline prices hover near $5 per gallon. Competitors will feel pressure to match or exceed Tesla’s crash‑avoidance suite and structural rigidity, accelerating safety innovation across the segment. Ultimately, the Cybertruck’s blend of rugged utility, zero‑emission power, and top‑tier safety may redefine the pickup category and reinforce Tesla’s leadership in automotive safety.