This photo provided by Hyundai Motor Co. shows the company’s Avante model. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 16 (Korea Bizwire) — For the second year running, Hyundai Motor Group has taken the crown as the top-performing global automotive group in the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) annual crash safety evaluations—a testament to the company’s deepening commitment to vehicle safety in an increasingly competitive and regulated market.
This year, the Korean auto giant clinched the highest number of Top Safety Pick (TSP) and Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) awards among its peers. A combined 15 models across its Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia brands earned the coveted designations, including seven Hyundai models, five from its premium Genesis line, and three Kia vehicles.
By comparison, Mazda earned IIHS awards for eight models, while Honda followed with seven. The feat underscores Hyundai Motor Group’s consistency in outpacing even long-established Japanese rivals in one of the industry’s most critical safety barometers.
Last year, the group secured 22 TSP or TSP+ awards—then the highest for any manufacturer—with nine Hyundai models, eight Genesis, and five Kia vehicles making the list. Toyota and Honda trailed with 19 and 11 models, respectively.
The IIHS awards vehicles that demonstrate outstanding crashworthiness and crash avoidance, with TSP+ reserved for those that meet the most rigorous standards, including performance in updated crash tests such as side impacts and rear-seat occupant protection.
Hyundai’s continued dominance reflects its ability to adapt quickly to evolving safety expectations, including the IIHS’s newly toughened standards on rear passenger safety introduced this year.
“We are proud that so many of our vehicles performed well in the increasingly stringent IIHS crash tests,” a company official said. “We will continue to deliver vehicles that offer world-class safety and quality through advanced research, design, and engineering.”
The achievement not only adds shine to Hyundai’s growing global reputation but also signals a shift in the global auto industry—where innovation in safety engineering is as vital as design, powertrain, or performance.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
