Kia has strengthened its safety credentials after the 2026 Kia K4 and the all-electric 2026 Kia EV9 secured the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating — the Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) award.
With these latest recognitions, Kia now has four 2026 models carrying the prestigious TSP+ designation, joining the Sorento (built after September 2025) and Sportage (built after May 2025). The awards apply to U.S.-spec models.
The achievement comes as IIHS introduced stricter testing criteria for 2026, placing greater emphasis on rear-seat passenger protection, pedestrian crash prevention, and higher-speed crash avoidance performance.
Starting at $22,290, the Kia K4 offers a strong value proposition with standard advanced driver assistance features including Lane Keeping Assist and Forward Collision Avoidance. Meanwhile, the EV9 three-row electric SUV continues to stand out with Highway Driving Assist 2 and a comprehensive suite of safety technologies.
Kia’s expanding list of top safety ratings highlights the brand’s ongoing commitment to enhancing protection as global safety standards continue to evolve.
