Hyundai Motor Group Dominates 2025 IIHS Safety Awards with 12 Titles

In the ever-evolving landscape of the automotive industry, safety has always been a paramount concern for consumers and manufacturers alike. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) and TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) awards are the gold standard for evaluating vehicle safety, and in 2025, Hyundai Motor Group has emerged as the undisputed leader, securing an industry-leading 12 awards. This achievement not only underscores the Group's unwavering commitment to safety but also raises critical questions about the future of automotive safety and the ethical responsibilities of manufacturers.



The 2025 IIHS awards were particularly stringent, with updated criteria placing greater emphasis on protection for second-row occupants and advanced safety technologies. This shift in standards reflects a broader trend in the industry towards prioritizing comprehensive safety features that go beyond basic crash protection. Hyundai Motor Group's ability to meet these new benchmarks is a testament to its relentless engineering and dedication to customer safety.

Among the Group's brands, Hyundai Motor and genesis each earned five awards, while Kia received two. The Hyundai Motor TSP+ winners included the IONIQ 5, KONA SUV, TUCSON SUV, SANTA FE SUV (built after November 2024), and IONIQ 6. Genesis' TSP+ winners were the GV60 SUV, Electrified GV70 SUV, GV70 SUV (built after April 2024), and GV80 SUV, with the G90 large luxury sedan receiving a TSP award. Kia's TSP+ award winners were the EV9 SUV and Telluride SUV. These awards highlight the exceptional safety standards embedded in Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles, which are part of the Group's overall mission to deliver uncompromising levels of safety and quality to customers.

The implications of this achievement for Hyundai Motor Group's market position and investor confidence are significant. The Group's total of 12 models receiving honors represents more than any other automaker in the annual IIHS assessment, positioning Hyundai Motor Group as a leader in vehicle safety. This leadership in safety can enhance the Group's market position by attracting safety-conscious consumers who prioritize vehicle safety features. Additionally, the Group's commitment to safety and quality can instill confidence in investors, as it demonstrates the Group's ability to meet and exceed industry standards, which can lead to increased investment and market value.

However, the updated IIHS award criteria for 2025, which place a greater emphasis on protection for second-row occupants and advanced safety technologies, are likely to significantly influence Hyundai Motor Group's future vehicle design and engineering investments. The new criteria require advanced seat belt technology and other safety innovations to score highly, which will likely drive the Group to invest more in developing and integrating advanced safety features specifically designed to protect second-row occupants. This could involve improving seat belt designs, airbag systems, and structural reinforcements to better protect rear passengers in the event of a collision.

The updated criteria also include more stringent crash prevention tests, which will likely prompt Hyundai Motor Group to invest heavily in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and other crash prevention technologies. This could involve enhancing autonomous emergency braking systems, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control features to meet the new standards. Additionally, the emphasis on small and moderate front overlap, side impact, and pedestrian safety tests suggests that the Group will need to invest in improving the structural integrity of their vehicles, which could involve redesigning vehicle frames, using stronger materials, and implementing more robust safety cages to better protect occupants in various types of collisions.

The performance of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles in the 2025 IIHS awards is notably superior to their competitors. The Group's achievement underscores its unwavering commitment to customers and relentless engineering to deliver the highest level of safety for occupants and road users. This dedication to safety leadership for 2025 and beyond is affirmed by the results, which include stringent test criteria that emphasize protection for second-row occupants, advanced seat belt technology, and other safety innovations. The updated IIHS award criteria for 2025, which include small and moderate front overlap, side impact and crash prevention tests, as well as measures for pedestrian safety and new, more stringent rear passenger safety standards, further highlight the dedication to safety that is instilled throughout Hyundai Motor Group.

However, the challenges presented by this performance are also notable. The IIHS updated its TSP and TSP+ award criteria for 2025, placing even greater emphasis on protection for second-row occupants, with tests requiring advanced seat belt technology and other safety innovations to score highly. This raised the already-high benchmark for consideration, resulting in just 48 models qualifying for this year's awards, compared with 71 last year at this time. This means that the Group will need to continue to innovate and improve its safety features to maintain its competitive edge in the automotive market.

In conclusion, Hyundai Motor Group's achievement of 12 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK awards in 2025 is a testament to its unwavering commitment to safety and quality. The Group's ability to meet the updated IIHS award criteria, which place a greater emphasis on protection for second-row occupants and advanced safety technologies, is a reflection of its relentless engineering and dedication to customer safety. However, the challenges presented by the updated criteria mean that the Group will need to continue to innovate and improve its safety features to maintain its competitive edge in the automotive market. As the industry continues to evolve, Hyundai Motor Group's commitment to safety and quality will be a key factor in its success.

Ask Aime: What does the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award mean for Hyundai Motor Group?