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 Might 2025) earn 2025 TSP+ score, 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ achieves 2025 TSP, demonstrating distinctive security requirements
• Hyundai Motor Group solidifies its popularity as a international prime security model with a complete of 18 fashions attaining 2025 TSP+ (16) and 2025 TSP (2) scores this yr
• 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 worldwide 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 Might 2025) earned the distinguished 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) score, whereas 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ acquired a 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) score.

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

Each IONIQ 9 and Sportage additionally secured the highest security score from the Korea New Automobile 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 larger score — highlighting class-leading crash safety and collision avoidance capabilities.

With these newest recognitions, Hyundai Motor Group now leads the worldwide trade with a complete of 18 fashions awarded TSP+ or TSP scores in 2025¹ — 9 Hyundai, 5 Genesis and 4 Kia fashions — marking the Group’s second consecutive yr because the automaker with essentially 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 total throughout all manufacturers evaluated (as of October 2025).

Earlier this yr, a number of Hyundai Motor Group fashions have been additionally awarded 2025 TSP+ scores, 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 score.

IIHS Raises the Bar with Stricter Security Requirements for 2025 Evaluations

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

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

To earn TSP+ or TSP, autos should additionally obtain “Good” scores in small overlap entrance and up to date facet crash checks, and a minimum of “Acceptable” scores in each daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian ahead collision prevention evaluations. Headlight efficiency of a minimum of “Acceptable” throughout all trim ranges stays a compulsory requirement.

The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) is an impartial, nonprofit scientific and academic group devoted to decreasing deaths, accidents and property harm from motorcar crashes via analysis and analysis and thru schooling of customers, policymakers and security professionals.

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