08:47 26-03-2026

Hyundai earns seven IIHS top safety pick awards in 2026

Hyundai has strengthened its position in the U.S. market by becoming one of the safest automakers according to IIHS. The brand secured seven Top Safety Pick awards in 2026, marking one of the industry's best performances.

Seven Awards Under New Standards

Six Hyundai models earned the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating, with one more receiving a Top Safety Pick. The list includes the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 9, Sonata, Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe, and Elantra.

This achievement is particularly notable because it meets updated, stricter IIHS requirements. The new standards place greater emphasis on rear passenger protection and pedestrian collision prevention.

Safety Technologies

The Hyundai SmartSense suite of systems played a key role. It features automatic braking, lane-keeping, driver attention monitoring, and collision avoidance assistants.

The updated requirements also involve more rigorous frontal crash test evaluations and mandate effective accident prevention systems.

Group Leadership

Including brands Kia and Genesis, the Hyundai Group emerged as the most awarded company in the U.S. In total, 21 models from the group received IIHS accolades.

This result bolsters the Korean auto industry's standing in global competition, where safety is becoming a crucial factor alongside technology and price.