New Kia Models Earn Coveted Safety Award

Safety has always been a top priority for families, and Kia is once again leading the way. Both the 2025 Kia Telluride and the 2025 Kia EV9 have earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest distinction: the Top Safety Pick+ award. At Casey Kia, we know how important peace of mind is on the road, and we’re proud to carry two models that meet the highest standards for crash protection and crash prevention.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a non-profit organization that has made its mission to make people safer on the road. They research new models and evaluate their safety, hoping to minimize car crashes and their consequences. Then, they offer that data to car buyers to help them make an educated decision about their vehicle purchase.

Safety Criteria

The IIHS surveys each vehicle’s safety features and even performs its own crash tests to see how they can effectively prevent an accident or how they would hold up in a collision. Each vehicle is evaluated on its crashworthiness, crash avoidance and mitigation, seat belts and child restraints, and other safety features. Then, they are given good, acceptable, marginal, or poor ratings on each topic.

IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award

Each year, the organization awards the top vehicles an IIHS Top Safety Pick award or, for the safest cars on the road, an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. In order to qualify, the vehicle must earn specific ratings in each of these safety evaluations. These parameters change each year as safety features continue to evolve and the IIHS continues to make it more and more difficult for vehicles to earn the distinction.

Kia Award Winners

The 2025 Kia Telluride is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award winner for the third consecutive year. The 2025 Kia EV9 has also earned the distinction, which is a first for the EV. According to Steven Center, the COO and EVP of Kia America, “IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards reinforce our dedication to building vehicles that not only perform but also provide peace of mind. As the IIHS’s safety expectations continue to rise, we remain committed to meeting these standards.”

FAQ: Safety Awards and Kia Models

What does the Top Safety Pick+ award mean?

It’s the highest safety rating awarded by the IIHS, recognizing vehicles with top-tier crash protection and prevention features.

Are these the first safety awards for the EV9?

Yes, and it’s a major milestone as the EV9 enters the market as Kia’s flagship electric SUV.

Is the Telluride still considered one of the safest SUVs?

Absolutely. Its repeat IIHS honors and continuous updates in safety tech make it one of the most trusted vehicles for families.

Test-Drive the Safest Kia Models in Newport News, VA

Whether you’re considering the tried-and-true Telluride or the groundbreaking EV9, Kia’s commitment to safety is clear. Both models offer the reassurance that today’s drivers are looking for. Stop by Casey Kia to experience these award-winning vehicles in person.