04:47 01-11-2025

Kia EV6 earns marginal IIHS side rating, misses Top Safety Pick

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released new crash-test results for the Kia EV6. The 2025 and 2026 model-year electric crossovers received only a marginal rating in the side-overlap evaluation, which kept them from qualifying for the Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ awards. For a car competing in a crowded segment, that outcome inevitably draws attention.

Investigators pointed to seat-belt shift, a factor that increases the risk of injury for rear passengers. The IIHS also criticized the quality of the headlights: both high and low beams proved insufficient on curves and on straight sections. Nighttime performance matters in everyday driving, and shortfalls here can overshadow otherwise solid engineering.

The collision-avoidance technology didn’t hit top marks either. The Kia EV6 earned a good score in pedestrian protection tests, but managed only an acceptable rating in scenarios involving other vehicles, particularly motorcycles. It’s a reminder that active safety still has room to grow, even in advanced EVs.

Even so, the EV6 remains one of the brand’s best-selling electric models and is included in the 2026 lineup with improved compatibility with the Tesla Supercharger network. It maintains a range of up to 513 km and a starting price of $42,900—an appealing combination for buyers who value charging convenience alongside long-distance capability.