Safety: Ratings, Features, and Real-World Protection
Safest Family Sedan? Tesla Model 3/Y NHTSA Scores vs. Camry’s IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (The Nitty Gritty)
When choosing a car for his family, Mark dug into the crash test data. The Tesla Model 3 and Y boasted perfect 5-star ratings in every single category from the NHTSA. The Camry, meanwhile, was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, acing the notoriously difficult small overlap tests. Both cars are exceptionally safe, but they excel in different ways. NHTSA’s tests favor structural strength and rollover prevention, where Tesla shines. The IIHS’s broader testing, including headlights and crash avoidance, highlights the Camry’s well-rounded safety engineering. There’s no single “safest” car; both are at the pinnacle of modern vehicle safety.
Autopilot/FSD Saved My Life (or Almost Caused a Crash?): Real Tesla Safety Stories vs. Camry’s TSS Reliability.
Driving on Autopilot, Sarah felt the car swerve sharply, avoiding a vehicle that had blown a tire ahead. It reacted before she could. She was convinced it saved her. Conversely, her friend Tim experienced “phantom braking,” where his Tesla slammed on the brakes for no reason on an empty highway. Camry’s Toyota Safety Sense is less dramatic; it’s a reliable but conservative system designed to prevent common collisions. Tesla’s more ambitious systems can perform heroic saves but are also prone to unpredictable behavior, making the debate over which is “safer” incredibly complex.
The “Tank-Like” Feel of a Tesla (Due to Battery Weight) vs. Camry’s Lighter Agility in Accident Avoidance.
In an emergency lane change, the Camry felt light and agile, easily swerving to avoid a deer. The driver of a Tesla in a similar situation felt the car’s immense weight. While stable, it was less nimble and responsive to a sudden steering input. The Tesla’s heavy battery pack gives it a low center of gravity and a “tank-like” feeling of solidity in a crash. However, the lighter Camry’s agility can sometimes make it easier to avoid the accident altogether, presenting two different philosophies of safety: passive strength versus active avoidance.
Pedestrian & Cyclist Detection: Tesla’s Camera-Based Vision vs. Camry’s Sensors – Who Sees (and Reacts) Better?
A child suddenly ran into the street after a ball. The Camry’s system, using radar and a camera, beeped loudly and initiated automatic emergency braking (AEB). The Tesla, relying solely on its eight cameras (“Tesla Vision”), did the same. Both systems are designed to detect and react to pedestrians. The debate is about reliability. Camry’s radar can see through fog, while Tesla’s cameras can better identify what an object is (a person vs. a pole). Both are effective, but their different technologies have distinct strengths and weaknesses in challenging conditions.
After the Crash: Tesla Repair Complexity & Cost (Due to Aluminum/Battery) vs. Camry’s Straightforward Fixes & Parts.
After a minor fender bender, the Camry owner had his car back from a local body shop in a week for $1,200. The Tesla owner with similar damage faced a different reality. He had to go to a specialized, Tesla-certified shop, and the repair of the aluminum body panels and sensor recalibration took over a month and cost nearly $5,000. Because of their advanced materials and integrated battery systems, Teslas are significantly more complex and expensive to repair, with parts often being in short supply.
Rollover Risk: Tesla’s Low Center of Gravity vs. Camry’s Traditional Sedan Profile.
According to NHTSA data, the Tesla Model 3 and Y have the lowest rollover risk of any vehicle ever tested. This is their safety superpower. By placing the massive, thousand-pound battery pack at the very bottom of the car, they create an incredibly low center of gravity. It’s like a toy that you can’t tip over. While the Camry is a very stable sedan, it cannot defy physics in the same way. In a scenario involving a high-speed swerve, the Tesla is far less likely to roll over than any gas-powered sedan.
Active Safety Suite Showdown: Tesla Autopilot Features vs. Toyota Safety Sense (TSS 3.0) – Lane Keep, ACC, AEB.
On the highway, Tesla’s Autopilot feels like an active co-pilot, steering smoothly through turns. Toyota’s Lane Tracing Assist feels more like a nudge, gently guiding you back from the lines. Both have excellent adaptive cruise control (ACC) and automatic emergency braking (AEB). The key difference is philosophy. TSS is a safety net designed to assist a fully engaged driver. Autopilot is a convenience feature designed to reduce driver fatigue by taking on more of the driving task. Autopilot is more capable, but TSS is arguably more straightforward.
“Phantom Braking” in Teslas: A Real Danger or Overblown Media Hype? (Camry’s AEB is More Predictable).
Driving under an overpass on a sunny day, Chris felt his Tesla slam on the brakes for a split second. It was a “phantom braking” event, where the camera system misinterprets a shadow or object. It’s a real and startling phenomenon. A Camry’s AEB system, using a combination of radar and camera, is far more conservative and less prone to false positives. It might not “see” as much as the Tesla, but what it sees, it interprets more reliably, making it the more predictable and less jarring system.
Child Safety Seat Performance: IIHS Ratings for LATCH Ease-of-Use – Tesla vs. Camry.
The IIHS gives both the Tesla Model Y and the Toyota Camry its highest “Good+” rating for their LATCH systems. This means the lower anchors are easy to find and attach a child seat to. A new parent installing a car seat for the first time found the Tesla’s anchors were behind simple plastic covers, making them slightly more visible and accessible than the Camry’s, which were tucked between seat cushions. Both are excellent, but the Tesla’s design can make the process just a little less frustrating.
Side Impact Protection: How Does Tesla’s Structure Hold Up Compared to Camry’s Engineering?
In crash test footage, a sled strikes the side of the car. The Tesla’s low, rigid battery pack acts as a massive structural reinforcement, absorbing a huge amount of the impact energy low down and preventing intrusion into the cabin. The Camry uses high-strength steel beams in its doors and B-pillars to achieve a similar goal. Both cars receive top marks for side impact protection, but they use different engineering strategies. The Tesla leverages its unique EV architecture, while the Camry perfects traditional automotive safety design.
The “Sentry Mode” Effect: Does it Deter Crime and Improve Safety, or Just Record It? (Camry Has No Equivalent).
A thief jiggling the door handle of a parked Tesla was startled as the car’s headlights flashed and the screen inside lit up with a warning. He ran off. Sentry Mode had deterred a break-in. In another case, the system recorded a clear video of a hit-and-run in a parking lot. Sentry Mode is a powerful proactive deterrent and a reactive evidence-gathering tool. It provides a layer of personal property safety and security after you leave the car that a Camry, which is inert when parked, simply cannot offer.
Fire Risk: EV Battery Fires (Tesla) vs. Traditional Gas Car Fires (Camry) – The Real Statistics.
News stories of EV battery fires are dramatic, but statistics show they are far less common than gasoline car fires. A Camry has a tank full of highly flammable liquid. However, when an EV battery does catch fire, it can be extremely difficult to extinguish, requiring specialized training and thousands of gallons of water. So, while your statistical risk of a fire is lower in a Tesla, the severity and complexity of that fire, should it occur, can be significantly greater.
Visibility for the Driver: Tesla’s Pillar Design & reliance on cameras vs. Camry’s Traditional Window Layout.
Looking over his shoulder to change lanes in his Camry, the driver had a clear view through the rear window. In the Tesla Model 3, the high trunk line and thick C-pillars create a more significant blind spot. Tesla compensates for this with its excellent blind-spot camera system, which displays a live video feed on the center screen when the turn signal is activated. The Camry offers better natural visibility, while the Tesla relies on technology to overcome its more compromised design.
Can You Trust Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” More Than Your Own Eyes? (A Camry Driver’s Skepticism).
As a passenger in a Tesla with FSD Beta, the Camry owner felt his hands hovering over an imaginary steering wheel. The car navigated a complex intersection on its own, but he saw a pedestrian near the curb that the car didn’t seem to be prioritizing. He trusted his own defensive driving instincts more than the machine’s. FSD is a remarkable piece of technology, but it’s still in beta. For a skeptical driver accustomed to being in full control, handing over that responsibility feels like a leap of faith too far.
How Tesla’s Over-the-Air Updates Can IMPROVE Safety Features (Camry Requires Dealer Visits).
One morning, a Tesla owner received a notification that an overnight software update had improved the performance of his car’s automatic emergency braking system in low light. His car’s safety features literally got better while he slept. If Toyota develops a similar software improvement for the Camry, it would require a formal recall and a mandatory visit to a dealership. Tesla’s ability to deploy safety enhancements and bug fixes instantly over the air is a massive advantage.
The Structural Role of Tesla’s Battery Pack in a Crash vs. Camry’s Engine Block.
In a frontal crash, the Camry’s engine block is a huge, solid mass that has to be managed to prevent it from entering the cabin. A Tesla has no engine, leaving a massive crumple zone in the front to absorb impact energy. Furthermore, the battery pack integrated into the floor acts as a rigid subframe, strengthening the entire passenger cell from all angles. This fundamental architectural difference allows a Tesla to manage crash forces in ways a traditional gas car cannot.
Emergency Response: How First Responders Handle a Crashed Tesla (Battery Dangers) vs. a Camry.
At a crash scene, firefighters approaching a Camry know exactly what to do. With a crashed Tesla, they must consult an emergency response guide. They need to locate and cut a specific “first responder loop” to disable the high-voltage system, and they must be constantly aware of the potential for the battery to reignite. The specialized procedures and unique dangers associated with high-voltage batteries make responding to a Tesla crash a more complex and hazardous task for emergency crews.
Headlight Performance: IIHS Ratings for Tesla vs. Camry – Seeing and Being Seen.
The IIHS is notoriously strict on headlights. In recent tests, the standard headlights on some Camry trims received a “Marginal” rating, while the upgraded lights on higher trims earned a “Good” rating. Teslas, with their standard advanced LED projector headlights, have consistently earned “Good” or “Acceptable” ratings across their model lines. Good headlights are critical for avoiding accidents at night, and Tesla’s standard offering is often superior to the base equipment on a Camry.
The “Distraction Factor” of Tesla’s Giant Screen: A Safety Hazard Camry Avoids with Buttons?
Trying to adjust the wiper speed in his Tesla during a sudden downpour, the driver had to take his eyes off the road to tap a menu on the screen. In a Camry, the same action is a simple, tactile flick of a stalk, doable by feel alone. By moving almost all controls to the touchscreen, Tesla introduces a significant potential for driver distraction. The Camry’s array of physical buttons for core functions is ergonomically safer, allowing the driver to stay focused on the road.
Is Camry’s “Predictable” Safety Boringly Better Than Tesla’s “Cutting-Edge” (But Sometimes Flawed) Approach?
The Camry’s safety systems work exactly as you’d expect, every time. They are predictable, reliable, and unobtrusive—boring, in a good way. The Tesla’s systems are more ambitious. They can do amazing things, but they can also surprise you with a phantom braking event or an awkward lane change. For many drivers, the “boringly better” safety of the Camry is preferable. They want a safety net they can count on, not a cutting-edge system that requires their constant supervision and occasional forgiveness.
Airbag Technology and Deployment: Any Significant Differences Between Tesla and Camry?
Both Tesla and Toyota are at the forefront of passive safety, equipping their cars with a full suite of advanced airbags, including front, side, curtain, and knee airbags. A unique Tesla innovation is the “far-side” airbag in some models, which deploys from the inboard side of the seat to prevent front passengers from colliding with each other in a side impact. While both cars are exceptionally safe, Tesla occasionally pushes the envelope with novel airbag designs like this.
The safety of Tesla’s frameless doors vs. Camry’s framed doors in a side impact.
A common misconception is that frameless doors are less safe. In reality, the structural integrity in a side impact comes from the car’s B-pillar and the reinforced beams inside the door itself, not the window frame. Both the Tesla and the Camry are engineered with high-strength steel in these key areas and perform exceptionally well in side-impact crash tests. The choice of a framed or frameless window is purely an aesthetic and aerodynamic one, with no significant impact on crash safety.
How does vehicle weight (heavy Tesla vs. lighter Camry) affect crash outcomes with other vehicles?
In a collision between two vehicles, physics favors the heavier one. A 4,000-pound Tesla striking a 3,300-pound Camry will push the Camry backward, transferring more force to the lighter vehicle. While both cars are designed to protect their own occupants well, the sheer mass of the Tesla gives it an inherent advantage in a multi-vehicle accident. This extra weight, a result of the battery, is a significant factor in real-world crash safety.
The “fail-safe” systems in Tesla’s Autopilot vs. Toyota Safety Sense.
If the camera on a Camry gets blocked, Toyota Safety Sense will clearly disengage with a warning. The system is designed to fail gracefully. Tesla’s Autopilot has multiple redundancies with its eight cameras. If one is blocked, the others can often compensate. However, if the entire system encounters a situation it can’t handle, the disengagement can sometimes be abrupt, requiring immediate driver intervention. Both have fail-safes, but the Camry’s are simpler and arguably more predictable.
Driver monitoring systems: Tesla’s cabin camera vs. Toyota’s attention alerts.
To ensure the driver is paying attention, Toyota Safety Sense uses steering inputs. If the driver’s hands are off the wheel for too long, it beeps. Tesla takes it a step further. In addition to torque sensors on the wheel, it uses a camera inside the cabin to monitor the driver’s head position and eye movements. If the driver is looking at their phone or is drowsy, the system will issue escalating alerts. Tesla’s camera-based system is a more direct and effective method of monitoring driver attentiveness.
The safety implications of Tesla’s minimalist dashboard (no traditional instrument cluster for driver).
In a Camry, the driver’s speed is displayed directly in their line of sight. In a Tesla Model 3/Y, the driver must glance to the side, at the top corner of the central screen, to see their speed. This diversion of the driver’s eyes away from the road is a potential safety compromise. While owners quickly adapt, it is ergonomically inferior to a traditional instrument cluster or a head-up display, which keeps critical information directly in the driver’s field of view.
How does regenerative braking affect emergency stopping distances in a Tesla vs. Camry’s traditional brakes?
In an emergency stop, the driver slams the brake pedal. In both cars, the primary stopping force comes from the powerful hydraulic disc brakes. Regenerative braking, which slows the car when you lift off the accelerator, has little effect in a true panic-braking scenario. However, because regen is always slowing the Tesla down slightly, it can sometimes mean the car has already shed some speed before the emergency, potentially shortening the overall stopping distance in certain situations.
The safety of Tesla’s unique door handles in an emergency (if power is lost).
After a crash, a Tesla automatically presents its handles. But what if the 12-volt power system fails? Passengers can still exit. The front doors have a manual, mechanical release lever located near the window switches. The rear doors on some models have a mechanical release cable hidden in the door pocket. While fail-safes exist, they are not as intuitive or obvious as a Camry’s simple mechanical handle, which works the same way, with or without power, every single time.
Are aftermarket safety additions more common/necessary for one car over the other?
No, not for core safety. Both cars come exceptionally well-equipped with a full suite of standard active and passive safety features. However, due to the lack of a built-in security system, it is far more common for Camry owners to add aftermarket dashcams for security and evidence in a crash. Tesla owners rarely do this, as the built-in Sentry Mode and Dashcam features already provide this functionality right from the factory.
The psychological safety: Feeling secure in a high-tech Tesla vs. a proven-reliable Camry.
For some drivers, psychological safety comes from feeling they are in the most technologically advanced car on the road, one that can see in all directions and react with lightning speed. This is the Tesla appeal. For others, psychological safety comes from decades of proven reliability and predictable performance. They trust the Camry’s straightforward, no-surprises nature. It’s a battle between feeling safe because of cutting-edge technology versus feeling safe because of unwavering, proven dependability.
Small overlap front crash test: How do both cars specifically perform in this tricky scenario?
This IIHS test, which simulates striking a tree or pole with the front corner of the car, is brutal. Both the Tesla Model 3/Y and the Toyota Camry perform exceptionally well, earning the highest “Good” rating. Their safety cages hold their shape, preventing intrusion into the passenger compartment, and the airbags deploy correctly to protect the occupant. This demonstrates that both manufacturers have specifically engineered their cars to ace one of the most difficult crash scenarios on the road today.
Roof crush strength: Tesla’s panoramic roof vs. Camry’s steel roof with sunroof option.
In IIHS testing, the Tesla Model 3’s all-glass roof was able to withstand over 20,000 pounds of force—the equivalent of five times its own weight. This is because the car’s underlying structure, not the glass itself, provides the strength. The Camry also has excellent roof crush strength, earning a top rating. While a steel roof might seem stronger, modern engineering and materials mean the Tesla’s panoramic roof does not compromise structural integrity in a rollover.
Whiplash protection: Seat and head restraint design in Tesla vs. Camry.
Being rear-ended can cause serious neck injuries. The IIHS tests seat and head restraint geometry to see how well they protect against whiplash. Both Tesla and Toyota have engineered their seats to earn the highest “Good” rating in this category. Their head restraints are positioned to meet the back of the head quickly and support it during a rear-end collision, showing that both companies pay close attention to this common, and often debilitating, type of crash injury.
The role of user error in safety feature effectiveness: Are Tesla’s features easier to misuse?
Yes. The very name “Autopilot” can lead a driver to believe the car is fully autonomous, leading to dangerous misuse. The driver of a Camry is unlikely to misunderstand what “Lane Keeping Assist” means. Because Tesla’s systems are so much more capable, they invite a greater level of trust, which can blur into complacency and over-reliance. The potential for user error and misunderstanding is significantly higher with Tesla’s ambitiously named and marketed features.
Post-crash safety: Ease of exiting the vehicle, automatic emergency calls (Tesla vs. Camry features).
Both Tesla and Toyota offer automatic post-crash assistance. When an airbag deploys, both cars can automatically call emergency services and transmit their GPS location. This is part of Tesla’s standard connectivity and Toyota’s “Safety Connect” subscription service. As for exiting the vehicle, the Camry’s traditional mechanical door handles are more intuitive in a panic than Tesla’s electronic buttons and less-obvious manual releases, giving the Camry a slight edge in post-crash ease of egress.
How do insurance companies rate the safety (and thus risk) of Tesla vs. Camry, impacting premiums?
While both cars have excellent safety ratings, Teslas are often more expensive to insure. This isn’t because they are less safe, but because they are much more expensive to repair. The high cost of fixing their aluminum bodies, specialized sensors, and complex electronics means insurers charge higher premiums to cover their potential payout in a claim. The Camry, being ubiquitous and cheap to repair, is one of the least expensive cars to insure.
The “recall” frequency for safety-related issues: Tesla OTA fixes vs. Camry dealer visits.
Both Tesla and Toyota issue safety recalls. The difference is in the remedy. A recent Tesla recall to fix a software issue with its taillights was solved with an Over-the-Air (OTA) update that was pushed to every car automatically. A recent Camry recall for a faulty airbag sensor required every owner to schedule a service appointment and visit a dealer. Tesla’s ability to fix many safety issues via software is a massive convenience and efficiency advantage.
Are there specific driving environments where one car’s safety systems excel over the other? (e.g., city vs. highway).
On a clearly marked highway, Tesla’s Autopilot excels, smoothly steering and managing speed with confidence. In complex city driving, the Camry’s more conservative Toyota Safety Sense can feel more reliable, as it’s less likely to be confused by chaotic intersections or unpredictable pedestrians. TSS is a great urban safety net, while Autopilot is a fantastic highway fatigue-reducer. Each system shines brightest in a different environment.
The long-term reliability of safety sensors (cameras, radar) in harsh weather: Tesla vs. Camry.
In a heavy snowstorm, a Tesla relying solely on its cameras can see its vision obscured, sometimes disabling Autopilot features. A Camry, which uses both a camera and a front-mounted radar, has an advantage here. Radar can “see” through snow and heavy rain far more effectively than a camera can. This makes the Camry’s multi-sensor system potentially more robust and reliable in the face of adverse weather conditions.
If I Had to Put My Family in One Car in a Crash, Would It Be a Tesla or a Camry?
This is a tough choice between two incredibly safe cars. However, given the laws of physics, I’d choose the Tesla. Its significantly heavier weight gives it an advantage in a collision with most other vehicles, and its extremely low rollover risk is a major factor. While both cars will protect their occupants exceptionally well, the Tesla’s inherent structural advantages stemming from its EV architecture—the low center of gravity and massive crumple zones—give it a slight edge in a worst-case scenario.
Blind spot monitoring effectiveness: Tesla’s camera display vs. Camry’s mirror indicator.
The Camry uses a traditional and effective system: a small light illuminates in the side mirror when a car is in your blind spot. It’s simple and intuitive. The Tesla does this too, but it also displays a live video feed from the side repeater camera directly on the center screen whenever you activate the turn signal. This ability to see a live, wide-angle view of your blind spot is a game-changing safety feature that provides far more information and confidence than a simple warning light.
Cross-traffic alert reliability when reversing: Tesla vs. Camry.
Backing out of a parking spot, the Camry’s rear cross-traffic alert beeped loudly, warning the driver of a car approaching from the side that they couldn’t yet see. The system is reliable and effective. The Tesla provides a similar warning, using lines on the screen to show the path of the approaching vehicle. Both systems work well, but some drivers find the Camry’s simple, urgent beeping to be a more effective and attention-grabbing alert than Tesla’s more visual on-screen warning.
The learning curve to understand and trust all the safety features in a Tesla vs. a Camry.
The Camry’s safety features are simple to understand. They work in the background and activate when needed. There is very little learning curve. A Tesla, on the other hand, requires an investment in learning. The owner must understand the differences between Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, Autosteer, and Full Self-Driving Beta. Building trust in the system takes time and experience. The Camry is safe out of the box; the Tesla requires education to be used safely to its full potential.
How “active” are the safety interventions? Does Tesla intervene more aggressively/earlier than Camry?
Yes. Tesla’s systems are generally tuned to be more assertive. Its automatic emergency braking may activate earlier, and its lane-keeping is a constant, smooth steering input. The Camry’s Toyota Safety Sense is more conservative. Its lane-keeping is a gentle nudge, and its collision warnings often give the driver more time to react before the car takes over. Tesla’s approach is more interventionist, aiming to actively co-pilot the car, while Toyota’s is more of a traditional, reactive safety net.
Tire blow-out scenarios: How does each car’s stability control handle it?
In the event of a sudden tire blow-out, both cars’ electronic stability control (ESC) systems would work overtime to keep the vehicle straight. They would automatically brake individual wheels to counteract the pull from the flat tire. The Tesla’s lower center of gravity would give it an inherent advantage in maintaining stability. However, both Toyota and Tesla have world-class ESC systems designed to make a potentially catastrophic event as manageable as possible for the driver.
Safety for elderly drivers: Are Tesla’s systems too complex, making Camry safer?
For an elderly driver accustomed to decades of traditional cars, the Tesla can be daunting. The lack of physical buttons, the central touchscreen for all controls, and the complex menus for safety features can be overwhelming and distracting. A Camry, with its familiar layout, clear buttons, and straightforward systems, presents a much lower cognitive load. For some older drivers, this simplicity and lack of technological intimidation could make the Camry the safer and more comfortable choice.
The impact of “autopilot complacency” on driver awareness in Teslas.
Because Autopilot is so good at handling monotonous highway driving, it can lull the driver into a false sense of security. This “Autopilot complacency” is a real risk, where the driver’s attention drifts because the car seems to have everything under control. They can become slower to react when the system disengages or needs help. The Camry’s less-intrusive systems require more constant driver involvement, which can help keep the driver more consistently engaged and aware of their surroundings.
Can Tesla’s safety record be separated from the hype around FSD?
It’s difficult. Structurally, Teslas are among the safest cars ever tested based on crashworthiness alone. However, the public discourse around Tesla safety is almost entirely dominated by the controversies surrounding its driver-assist systems, Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD). The rare but highly publicized crashes involving these systems often overshadow the excellent passive safety record the cars have. It’s a case where the “robot” gets all the attention, for better or for worse, obscuring the strength of the “car” itself.
When safety features FAIL: What are the backup systems or warnings in Tesla vs. Camry?
If a Tesla’s camera is blinded by sun glare, it will issue an audible chime and a clear visual warning on the screen, disengaging Autosteer but often keeping cruise control active. The responsibility is immediately handed back to the driver. Similarly, if a Camry’s sensors are blocked by ice, it will display a warning in the instrument cluster and disable the affected TSS features. Both cars have clear warning systems designed to inform the driver when a feature is unavailable, ensuring the driver knows they are fully responsible.
My Pick for Overall Safest Vehicle Between the Two (And Why It’s Not Just About Crash Stars).
My pick for the safest overall vehicle is the Tesla. While both cars have stellar crash test ratings, the Tesla’s fundamental EV architecture gives it two key advantages that can’t be ignored: an incredibly low risk of rollover and a heavier vehicle mass. Furthermore, features like the superior blind-spot camera and the Sentry Mode security system provide active, real-world safety benefits daily. While the Camry is predictably safe, the Tesla’s combination of structural superiority and innovative, useful technology gives it the edge.