Tesla Model X safer than Audi Q7? Crash test!

The passenger compartment of the Model X remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger. Tesla showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions. Protection was rated as good for all critical body areas for the driver. This was also the case in the the full-width rigid barrier test, and protection was good or adequate for the rear passenger. In both the side barrier and the more severe side pole tests, protection of all critical body areas was good and the car scored full points in both of these tests. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection. The standard-fit autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system performed well in tests of its functionality at the low speeds at which many whiplash injuries occur, with collisions avoided in all test scenarios.

In the frontal offset test, protection of the neck of the 10 year dummy was marginal, based on readings of neck forces. Otherwise, in both the frontal and side barrier tests, protection of all critical body areas was good for both dummies. The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded. There is not enough room to install a universal child restraint in the optional third row seats and to use the second row seats in their normal positions. Accordingly, the restraint installation test was failed for the third row seats. Otherwise, the restraints for which the Model X is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car.

The passenger compartment of the Q7 remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger. Audi showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions. Protection of the chest was marginal for both driver and passenger. In the full-width rigid barrier test, chest protection was again marginal for the rear passenger but other critical body areas were well or adequately protected, for both occupants. In both the side barrier test and the pole impact, protection of all critical body areas was good and the Q7 scored maximum points in these tests. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric assessment of the front seats also indicated good whiplash protection. The standard-fit autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system performed well in tests of its functionality against other vehicles at the low speeds, typical of city driving, at which many whiplash injuries occur, with collisions avoided in almost all test scenarios

In both the frontal offset and side barrier tests, protection of both the 6 and 10-year dummies was good for all critical body areas, and the Q7 scored maximum points in this part of the assessment. The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded. Audi's information indicates that the second-row centre seat and the optional third row seats are not suitable for certain universal child restraints. With these exceptions, all installation checks were passed.