- 2026 Kia SPORTAGE earns highest-tier 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) rating from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
- Result reflects Kia’s ongoing commitment to advancing vehicle safety
- Sportage recognized for outstanding performance in crash protection and driver assistance systems
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 10, 2025 – Kia Corporation today announced that the 2026 Sportage SUV has been awarded the 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) rating in the latest crash test evaluations conducted by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the organization’s highest level of safety recognition. The designation applies to 2026 Kia Sportage models built after May 2025.
Sportage earned the elite TSP+ rating by receiving the highest possible “Good” rating across all major assessment categories, including the small overlap front, updated moderate overlap front and updated side tests. It also met the requirements for “Acceptable” or “Good” rating performance in pedestrian front crash prevention and comes with standard headlights rated “Acceptable” or “Good” across all trim levels.
The TSP+ designation is granted exclusively to vehicles that meet the industry’s most stringent safety criteria. IIHS has introduced tougher evaluation standards for this year, including enhanced assessments for rear occupant protection, further underscoring the significance of this achievement.
Kia’s continued investment in advanced collision avoidance technologies, high-rigidity body structures, and optimized safety design has further reinforced the Sportage’s strong safety credentials.
IIHS Sets a New Benchmark with Stricter Safety Standards for 2025 Evaluations
In addition to the 2025 TSP+ rating bestowed upon the 2026 Kia Sportage by the IIHS, the organization also awards a TSP rating. To qualify for 2025 Top Safety Pick (TSP), a vehicle must receive “Good” ratings in the small overlap front and updated side tests and at least an “Acceptable” rating in the updated moderate overlap front test. It must also earn an “Acceptable” or “Good” rating for pedestrian front crash prevention and come with standard headlights rated “Acceptable” or “Good”.
The 2026 Kia Sportage achieved a maximum “Good” rating in all three categories, with the award applying to models built after May 2025.
Kia Corporation 2025 IIHS TSP+/TSP Selections
| Ratings | TSP+ (4 models) | TSP |
| Models (25MY) (4 models) | EV9 TELLURIDEK4 (Produced after January 2025)2026 SPORTAGE (Produced after May 2025) *newly added | – |
Kia Corporation – about us
Kia (www.kia.com) is a global mobility brand with a vision to create sustainable mobility solutions for consumers, communities, and societies around the world. Founded in 1944, Kia has been providing mobility solutions for more than 80 years. With 52,000 employees worldwide, a presence in more than 190 markets, and manufacturing facilities in six countries, the company today sells around three million vehicles a year. Kia is spearheading the popularization of electrified and battery electric vehicles and developing a growing range of mobility services, encouraging millions of people around the world to explore the best ways of getting around. The company’s brand slogan – ‘Movement that inspires’ – reflects Kia’s commitment to inspire consumers through its products and services.
For more information, visit the Kia Global Media Center at www.kianewscenter.com