Kia’s $22,290 Sedan Matches $60,000 Luxury Cars In Crash Protection—The 9 Safest Revealed
On March 24, the IIHS released its 2026 Top Safety Pick awards. For 2026, the standards are tougher than previous years. For the first time, automakers had to pass a new crash prevention test simulating collisions at 31, 37, and 43 mph with cars, motorcycles, and semitrailers.
Sixty-three vehicles met the new requirements, up from 48 last year. Forty-five earned the top-tier TSP+. No minivans, minicars, or small pickups qualified. The least expensive TSP+ winner starts at $22,290. The following nine vehicles set the standard for safety in 2026.
Kia K4 ($22,290): The Budget Sedan That Embarrasses Luxury Brands
The Kia K4 is the most affordable car to earn a 2026 Top Safety Pick+ award. At $22,290, it matches the crash protection offered by luxury sedans costing two or three times as much. This year, IIHS requires a “good” rating, the top score, in the updated moderate overlap front test for both award levels.
Previously, “acceptable” qualified for the base award. The K4 exceeded the industry’s toughest benchmark and remains less expensive than most other compact cars.
Tesla Cybertruck: The Only Pickup Truck to Earn Top Safety Pick+
The Cybertruck is the only pickup in America to earn a 2026 TSP+ award. The Toyota Tundra crew cab managed only the base Top Safety Pick. No other large pickup made the list.
Tesla notes that the Cybertruck holds both the IIHS TSP+ and NHTSA’s five-star rating, a combination unique among pickups. For truck shoppers in 2026, the Cybertruck leads the segment.
Mazda CX-90: Flagship of the Brand That Owns Safety—Three Years Running
Mazda earned eight TSP+ awards in 2026, the most of any brand. This marks the third consecutive year for Mazda at the top, a milestone unmatched in the program’s 20-year history.
The CX-90 flagship leads a group that includes the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback, CX-30, CX-50, CX-70, CX-70 PHEV, CX-90, and CX-90 PHEV. All of these models earned the highest designation. Mazda accounts for nearly 18 percent of all TSP+ winners, surpassing every luxury brand in top-tier awards.
Audi Q6 e-tron: The Luxury Brand That Actually Earned Its Reputation
Audi leads all luxury automakers in 2026 with six TSP+ awards. This surpasses BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus. The winners include the A5, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q6 e-tron, Q6 Sportback e-tron, and A6 Sportback e-tron.
The Q6 e-tron is a fully electric luxury SUV that met every 2026 safety requirement, including the updated crash prevention test for motorcycle and semitrailer detection. The Q6 demonstrates that some luxury brands fulfill their reputation through engineering.
Hyundai Kona ($25,500): The Cheapest Small SUV on the Safety List
The Kona is the most affordable small SUV to earn an IIHS award in 2026. It is one of 16 Hyundai Motor Group winners: seven Hyundai models, five from Genesis, and four from Kia.
Front crash prevention systems must now be standard on every trim to qualify, making the base Kona as equipped as the top model. At $25,500 and with 77 percent of 2026 models meeting the new crash avoidance standard, buyers receive both value and protection.
Kia EV9: The Electric Three-Row That Protects Every Row
The EV9 earned a TSP+ in a year when the IIHS made back seat protection a top priority. The moderate overlap front test, updated in 2022, now evaluates rear passenger safety. A “good” rating is required for either award. IIHS President David Harkey stated the goal: “We’re asking automakers to make excellent protection for back seat passengers the norm.”
The EV9’s skateboard-style platform provides strong structural support across all three rows, demonstrating that an electric SUV can protect every seat. Data supports this outcome.
Rivian R1S: One of Only Two Large SUVs to Crack the Top Tier
Two large SUVs achieved TSP+ status in 2026: the Rivian R1S and the Volvo EX90. Both are fully electric. This outcome suggests that EV platforms provide structural strengths not matched by traditional large SUVs.
The Rivian R1T pickup, produced by the same manufacturer, did not earn any award. SUVs dominate the results, with 35 of 45 TSP+ winners. In the large SUV segment, electric models lead in safety.
Mazda3: The Affordable Sedan Proving Safety Isn’t Just About SUVs
SUVs constitute 78 percent of all TSP+ winners in 2026. Both the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback earned the highest safety designation. The Mazda3 contributes to Mazda’s eight-model sweep and third consecutive year as the safety leader.
Priced below $30,000, the Mazda3 delivers strong crash protection without the taller ride, increased fuel consumption, or larger footprint of an SUV. A thoughtfully engineered sedan can match the safety standards of crossovers.
Kia Sportage ($28,790): The Family SUV With Zero Safety Compromises
The Sportage, built after May 2025, earned TSP+ at $28,790. No premium trims or expensive options are necessary. The vehicle meets all criteria: the tougher moderate overlap front test, the updated crash prevention standard, and required safety systems on every trim.
With TSP+ status, the Sportage is ranked alongside Audi SUVs at twice the price and Rivians at triple. The IIHS results for 2026 show that price no longer determines protection. The Sportage offers families an affordable and safe choice.
Sources:
IIHS — “IIHS Pushes Improvements in Crash Avoidance With 2026 Awards” — March 24, 2026
Consumer Reports — “Safest New Cars of 2026, According to the IIHS” — March 24, 2026
Mazda USA Newsroom — “For Third Consecutive Year, Mazda Leads the Industry in IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK Awards” — March 24, 2026
PR Newswire (Kia America) — “2026 Kia K4 and EV9 Earn 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards” — March 24, 2026
Autoblog — “Audi Is Now the Safest Luxury Car Brand, Beating BMW and Mercedes in New Safety Rankings” — March 25, 2026
