2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 and 2026 Kia Sportage Earn 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK + Honors

• 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 and 2026 Kia Sportage (constructed after Could 2025) earn 2025 TSP+ ranking, 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ achieves 2025 TSP, demonstrating distinctive security requirements
• Hyundai Motor Group solidifies its repute as a world high security model with a complete of 18 fashions attaining 2025 TSP+ (16) and 2025 TSP (2) rankings this 12 months
• Excels in newly strengthened 2025 IIHS security requirements, affirming excellence in crash security and prevention efficiency

Hyundai Motor Group has additional solidified its place as a world chief in automotive security. Within the newest crash security evaluations performed by the U.S.-based Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS), 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 and 2026 Kia Sportage (constructed after Could 2025) earned the celebrated 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) ranking, whereas 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ obtained a 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) ranking.

The IONIQ 9 earned the best attainable “Good” rankings throughout all IIHS analysis classes, together with entrance and aspect crash safety and ahead collision prevention. Sportage improved upon its earlier 2024 TSP ranking, attaining 2025 TSP+ following enhancements to its ahead collision prevention system and headlight efficiency.

Each IONIQ 9 and Sportage additionally secured the highest security ranking from the Korea New Automotive Evaluation Program (KNCAP), performed by the Korea Transportation Security Authority, reinforcing their security management in each home and worldwide markets.

In the meantime, 2026 SANTA CRUZ stands out as the one small pickup in its section to earn a TSP or increased ranking — highlighting class-leading crash safety and collision avoidance capabilities.

With these newest recognitions, Hyundai Motor Group now leads the worldwide business with a complete of 18 fashions awarded TSP+ or TSP rankings in 2025¹ — 9 Hyundai, 5 Genesis and 4 Kia fashions — marking the Group’s second consecutive 12 months because the automaker with probably the most IIHS security awards (as of October 2025).

By model, Hyundai Motor ranks first amongst mainstream manufacturers, adopted by Kia in sixth place; Genesis leads the premium model class and moreover ranked third general throughout all manufacturers evaluated (as of October 2025).

Earlier this 12 months, a number of Hyundai Motor Group fashions had been additionally awarded 2025 TSP+ rankings, together with 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, KONA, TUCSON, SANTA FE (constructed after November 2024), ELANTRA (constructed after October 2024) and SONATA (constructed after November 2024); Genesis 2025 GV60, 2025-26 GV70 (constructed after April 2024), 2025-26 GV70 ELECTRIC and 2025 GV80; and 2025 Kia K4 (constructed after January 2025), EV9 and Telluride. 2025 Genesis G90 earned a 2025 TSP ranking.

IIHS Raises the Bar with Stricter Security Requirements for 2025 Evaluations

IIHS awards TSP+ to autos that meet the best requirements in crash safety and crash avoidance expertise, whereas TSP is awarded to autos attaining “Good” or “Acceptable” rankings throughout key standards.

The 2025 testing protocol introduces considerably extra rigorous rear-passenger security evaluations. The up to date entrance crash check now features a rear-seat dummy representing a small feminine or 12-year-old baby — addressing real-world damage dangers extra precisely than ever earlier than. For the primary time, autos should obtain a “Good” ranking on this check to qualify for TSP+; whereas an “Acceptable” ranking is required for TSP.

To earn TSP+ or TSP, autos should additionally obtain “Good” rankings in small overlap entrance and up to date aspect crash checks, and not less than “Acceptable” rankings in each daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian ahead collision prevention evaluations. Headlight efficiency of not less than “Acceptable” throughout all trim ranges stays a compulsory requirement.

The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) is an unbiased, nonprofit scientific and academic group devoted to decreasing deaths, accidents and property injury from motorized vehicle crashes via analysis and analysis and thru training of shoppers, policymakers and security professionals.

Hyundai Motor Group 2025 IIHS TSP+/TSP Alternatives (Whole of 18 Fashions)