Brand hub · IIHS data updated 2026-09-16
Kia Safety Ratings (2026)
Every current Kia model in IIHS records, scored with the same formula as our main ranking, plus real-world death rates for used Kia models where the data exists.
The safest current Kia is the 2027 Kia Telluride, scoring 96.8/100 with an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, #8 of 136 in our overall ranking. Kia has 10 current models in IIHS records, 8 with complete crash-test results; 5 earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick+ and 0 earned a Top Safety Pick.
Kia safety weighted by sales
Kia’s sales-weighted current-model score is 86.3–90.7/100, covering 77.8% of its 430,727 reported U.S. sales in January–June 2026. Its TSP+ sales-mix proxy is 52.2–69.3%. Ranges reflect unpublished variant splits, not statistical confidence intervals.
Sales basis: manufacturer release. Kia January–June 2026 U.S. sales. Checked 2026-09-16.
See sales weights, matched models and exclusions
| Sales bucket | Units / share | Current score | TSP+ mapping | Matched records / limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage | 94,907 22.0% | 91.7 | All mapped variants | 2026 Kia Sportage (Award applies only to vehicles built after May 2025) |
| Telluride | 73,602 17.1% | 96.8 | All mapped variants | 2027 Kia Telluride (Award applies only to vehicles built after June 2026) |
| K4/Forte | 73,579 17.1% | 72.2–92.1 | Some variants | 2026 Kia K4 (Sedan); 2026 Kia K4 (Hatchback) Combined sales; variant split unavailable. Score and award ranges use the listed current variants. |
| Sorento | 49,348 11.5% | 95.4 | All mapped variants | 2026 Kia Sorento (Award applies only to vehicles built after September 2025) |
| Carnival | 40,068 9.3% | Not available | No current TSP+ | 2026 Kia Carnival At least one mapped variant lacks complete scoring evidence; this sales bucket is excluded from the mean. |
| K5 | 38,394 8.9% | Not available | No current TSP+ | 2026 Kia K5 At least one mapped variant lacks complete scoring evidence; this sales bucket is excluded from the mean. |
| Seltos | 32,504 7.5% | 64.8 | No current TSP+ | 2026 Kia Seltos |
| Niro | 13,767 3.2% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| EV9 | 7,035 1.6% | 96.8 | All mapped variants | 2026 Kia EV9 |
| EV6 | 4,043 0.9% | 70.6 | No current TSP+ | 2026 Kia EV6 |
| Soul | 3,480 0.8% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
How sales weighting and variant ranges work
Current ratings, weighted by January–June 2026 U.S. sales. The mean is the sum of each current score × its model’s sales, divided by sales with complete, compatible scores. High-volume models therefore count more. This changes brand aggregation only; individual vehicle scores and ranks are unchanged.
A range shows the possible mix of separately rated variants when their sales split is unpublished. We count a combined sales total once. Unmatched models, unresolved body styles and incomplete scores are excluded from the mean and reduce its sales coverage. Do not compare a brand covering a small slice of sales with one covering nearly its whole lineup as though the evidence were equal.
The TSP+ sales-mix proxy divides sales mapped to current TSP+ records by all reported brand sales. A range reflects award differences within mapped variants. Unmatched sales add nothing to this proxy; they are not rated failures. Current model years, build dates and required equipment still apply: this is a sales-mix comparison of current designs, not the percentage of vehicles delivered in the first half that actually qualified for an award. It is not a death-risk estimate.
Every current Kia ranked by safety
Where two vehicles score the same, the injury measures behind that score break the tie; vehicles matching on both share a rank. The score is 55% primary IIHS tests, 25% selected occupant-protection details, 10% pedestrian front crash prevention, and 10% class context. Missing evidence never counts as passing. Class rank compares each model with every vehicle in its IIHS class, not just other Kia models.
| Rank | Vehicle | Class | Class rank | IIHS award | Starts at | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2027 Kia TellurideAward applies only to vehicles built after June 2026 | Midsize SUVs | 1 of 32 | TSP+ | ~$39,190 | 96.8 |
| 1 | 2026 Kia EV9 | Midsize SUVs | 1 of 32 | TSP+ | ~$54,900 | 96.8 |
| 3 | 2026 Kia SorentoAward applies only to vehicles built after September 2025 | Midsize SUVs | 11 of 32 | TSP+ | ~$32,390 | 95.4 |
| 4 | 2026 Kia K4 (Sedan) | Small cars | 3 of 16 | TSP+ | ~$22,290 | 92.1 |
| 5 | 2026 Kia SportageAward applies only to vehicles built after May 2025 | Small SUVs | 9 of 28 | TSP+ | ~$28,690 | 91.7 |
| 6 | 2026 Kia K4 (Hatchback) | Small cars | 15 of 16 | No award | ~$24,890 | 72.2 |
| 7 | 2026 Kia EV6 | Small SUVs | 23 of 28 | No award | ~$37,900 | 70.6 |
| 8 | 2026 Kia Seltos | Small SUVs | 26 of 28 | No award | ~$23,790 | 64.8 |
Prices are approximate base MSRPs excluding destination. TSP+ is IIHS Top Safety Pick+; TSP is Top Safety Pick. Full weights and rules are on the methodology page.
2 Kia models still waiting on complete IIHS results
These are listed so you can see what has been tested. A missing result is never treated as a pass or a fail, so they are not ranked.
| Vehicle | Class | Primary tests reported | Detail results reported | IIHS award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Kia Carnival | Minivans | 3/4 | 4/4 | No award |
| 2026 Kia K5 | Midsize cars | 3/4 | 4/4 | No award |
Real-world death rates for used Kia models
Driver deaths per million registered vehicle years from the July 2026 IIHS driver death rate study (2021–2024 crashes), compared with the average for each model's class. Lower is better. These are older model years and are separate from the crash-test scores above.
| Vehicle | Model years | Driver death rate | Class average | 95% confidence bounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Telluride 2WD | 2020-23 | 8 | 24 | 0–22 |
| Kia Sorento 2WD | 2021-23 | 12 | 24 | 0–26 |
| Kia Telluride 4WD | 2020-23 | 23 | 24 | 9–38 |
| Kia Sorento 4WD | 2021-23 | 23 | 24 | 0–45 |
| Kia K5 | 2021-23 | 94 | 67 | 61–127 |
| Kia Forte | 2020-23 | 120 | 79 | 95–146 |
| Kia Rio | 2020-23 | 170 | 158 | 104–236 |
Green means at or below the class average; red means above it. Every used model is on the safest used cars page.
Older Kia model years
Earlier model years with IIHS results on this site. They are not part of the current ranking.
Questions people ask about Kia safety
Is Kia a safe brand?
Kia has 10 current models in IIHS records, 8 with complete crash-test records. 5 earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and 0 earned a Top Safety Pick. The best current Kia is the 2027 Kia Telluride at 96.8/100, #8 of 136 in our overall ranking. Safety varies more between models than between brands, so pick the model first.
What is the safest Kia?
The safest current Kia in our 2026 ranking is the 2027 Kia Telluride (midsize suvs), scoring 96.8/100 with an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. It ranks #1 of 32 in its class.
Which Kia models earned Top Safety Pick+ in 2026?
5 current Kia models earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+: Kia Telluride, Kia EV9, Kia Sorento, Kia K4 (Sedan), Kia Sportage.
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