Two more vehicles pick up 2026 IIHS safety awards

The U.S.’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recognized Hyundai and Tesla vehicles for meeting its safety criteria for 2026.

2027 Kia Telluride
The 2027 Kia Telluride is one of two vehicles recently recognized with IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards. – Kia photo

The United States-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named two more vehicles to its 2026 safety awards.

The IIHS awarded the 2027 Kia Telluride and the 2026-27 Tesla Model Y with its highest safety award, the Top Safety Pick+, the organization said Sept. 3.

The Telluride was redesigned for the 2027 model year, so only vehicles assembled after June 2026 qualify for the award.

The Model Y was redesigned for the 2026 model year.

With the addition of the two vehicles, the IIHS’s 2026 safety awards now recognize 70 vehicles, including 17 given the lower-tier Top Safety Pick award, and 53 given the upper-tier Top Safety Pick+ award.

The full list is below.

2026 Top Safety Pick+

Small cars:

  • Kia K4
  • Mazda3 Sport (hatchback)
  • Mazda3 (sedan)
  • Nissan Sentra
  • Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
  • Toyota Prius

Midsize cars:

  • Hyundai Sonata
  • Toyota Camry

Midsize luxury cars:

  • Audi A5

Large luxury cars:

  • Audi A6
  • 2027 Audi A6 Sportback e-tron
  • Genesis G80 (built after June 2025)

Small SUVs:

  • BMW X1
  • Genesis GV60
  • Honda HR-V
  • Hyundai Ioniq 5
  • Hyundai Kona
  • Hyundai Tucson
  • Kia Sportage (built after May 2025)
  • Mazda CX-30
  • Mazda CX-5
  • Mazda CX-50
  • Subaru Forester

Midsize SUVs:

  • Honda Passport
  • Hyundai Ioniq 9
  • Hyundai Palisade
  • Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Kia EV9
  • Kia Sorento (built after September 2025)
  • 2027 Kia Telluride (built after June 2026)
  • Mazda CX-70
  • Mazda CX-70 PHEV
  • Mazda CX-90
  • Mazda CX-90 PHEV
  • Nissan Murano
  • Nissan Pathfinder
  • Subaru Ascent
  • Subaru Outback

Midsize luxury SUVs:

  • Audi Q5
  • Audi Q5 Sportback
  • 2027 Audi Q6 e-tron
  • 2027 Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
  • BMW X3
  • BMW X5
  • Genesis Electrified GV70
  • Genesis GV70
  • Genesis GV80
  • Infiniti QX60
  • Lexus NX
  • 2027 Tesla Model Y

Large SUVs:

  • Rivian R1S
  • Volvo EX90

Large pickups:

  • Tesla Cybertruck

2026 Top Safety Pick

Small cars:

  • Honda Civic hatchback
  • Hyundai Elantra

Midsize cars:

  • Honda Accord

Midsize luxury cars:

  • Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Midsize SUVs:

  • Buick Enclave
  • Ford Explorer
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E
  • Volkswagen Atlas
  • Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Midsize luxury SUVs:

  • Lincoln Nautilus
  • Mercedes-Benz GLC
  • Volvo XC90
  • Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid

Large SUVs:

  • Audi Q7
  • Infiniti QX80
  • Nissan Armada

Large pickups:

  • Toyota Tundra crew cab

More information is available on the IIHS website.


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