Following the introduction of stricter evaluation criteria, Hyundai has secured an impressive total of seven Top Safety Pick (TSP) awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Across all its affiliated brands, the broader Hyundai Group now holds the highest number of these recognitions in the United States.
Hyundai earned seven IIHS TSP awards, reflecting strong safety performance across several models. Updated IIHS testing standards now emphasize improved protection for rear-seat passengers and enhanced pedestrian safety, raising the benchmark for vehicle safety.
The Hyundai Group now boasts 21 vehicles with TSP or TSP+ ratings, the highest total among automakers in the U.S.
Automakers frequently position themselves as leaders in specific areas to gain a competitive advantage, whether that be fuel efficiency, sustainability, or performance. Increasingly, however, manufacturers are competing on safety credentials, an area that demands rigorous, measurable validation.
Among global safety authorities, the IIHS stands out as one of the most respected organizations. Its evaluations carry significant weight within the industry, and recognition from the institute is widely regarded as a meaningful endorsement of a vehicle’s safety performance.
Pursuing Top Honors
In recent years, Hyundai has evolved into a brand associated with modern design, advanced technology, and a strong emphasis on safety.
That focus is now reflected in its latest IIHS results, where the company secured seven TSP awards. Of these, six models achieved the highest distinction of TSP+, while one received a standard TSP rating.
The models awarded TSP+ status include the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 9, Sonata, Kona, Tucson, and Santa Fe. Meanwhile, the Elantra earned a TSP rating. Achieving seven top safety awards is particularly notable given the IIHS’s updated and more demanding criteria for 2026.
These revised standards place greater emphasis on rear-seat occupant protection and the effectiveness of systems designed to prevent collisions with pedestrians and other vehicles.
IIHS President David Harkey said that they’re asking brands to make excellent protection for rear passengers the norm. He further added that TSP+ brands need to improve crash-avoidance systems.
Under the new framework, vehicles must now receive a “good” rating in the moderate front overlap test to qualify for top honors, replacing the previous requirement of an “acceptable” rating.
A key contributor to Hyundai’s safety performance is its proprietary SmartSense suite. This system integrates a range of advanced driver-assistance features, including Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision Assist, Forward Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Occupant Alert (door logic), and High Beam Assist.
With this latest round of awards, Hyundai ranks as the second most awarded automaker in the United States, trailing Mazda by a narrow margin. However, when considering its affiliated brands, Kia and Genesis, the Hyundai Group holds the top position overall.
In total, the group now offers 21 models carrying either TSP or TSP+ designations. According to IIHS data as of March 2026, Hyundai Group brands occupy three of the top five positions among automakers with the most safety awards, alongside Mazda and Audi.
