The United States-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has added the Nissan Kicks to its 2026 safety awards.

The IIHS awarded the 2026 and onwards Nissan Kicks with its lower-tier Top Safety Pick award, the organization said Oct 22.

The Kicks was redesigned for the 2025 model year, but only vehicles built after June 2026 get the award. IIHS explained Nissan made changes to the Kicks’ rear seatbelts in June of 2026, which helped improve the subcompact SUV’s moderate overlap front test and allowed it to get the Top Safety Pick rating.

The IIHS recognizes more than 70 vehicle models with its 2026 safety awards, including the lower-tier Top Safety Pick award and 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
• 2026 Genesis GV60
• Honda HR-V
• 2026 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 (built after November 2025)
• 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
• 2026 Genesis Electrified GV70
• 2026 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

Small SUVs:

• 2027 Genesis GV60
• 2027 Hyundai Ioniq 5
• Nissan Kicks (built after June 2026)

Midsize SUVs:

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

Midsize luxury SUVs:

• 2027 Genesis Electrified GV70
• 2027 Genesis GV70
• 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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