2027 Kia Telluride Safety Rating
Midsize SUVs Β· Current IIHS listing Β· IIHS source checked 2026-09-16
The 2027 Kia Telluride scores 96.8/100, ranking #1 of 32 current midsize SUVs and #8 of 136 vehicles overall with complete IIHS records. It holds the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award in the 2026 award cycle.
Every primary IIHS test is rated Good. Rear-passenger restraints in the updated moderate-overlap test: Good; rear-passenger head protection: Good.
Which build and equipment does this score describe?
Latest applicable build; standard AEB and lowest current-trim headlight rating. Headlights use the lowest rating among applicable current trims; this is a conservative equipment baseline, not a claim that every trim has identical results. Confirm the production date and equipment of the car you are buying.
IIHS award restriction: Award applies only to vehicles built after June 2026
- (1) Trim level(s): All trims; built after June 2026, trim; built after June 2026
Headlights: baseline Good
- Good β (1) Trim level(s): All trims; built after June 2026, trim; built after June 2026
Pedestrian crash prevention: baseline Good
- Good β standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA). Rating applies to all 2027 models
Vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention 2.0: baseline Good
- Good β standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA). Rating applies to all 2027 models
Optional-system results are shown separately. Combining the best rating from different packages does not establish that one purchasable configuration earns them all. Check IIHS equipment details.
IIHS crash-test results
Detailed results by test (53 entries)
IIHS publishes these under the test they belong to, so the same label can appear more than once. Rear restraints and kinematics, rear head protection, structure and safety cage, and front restraints are the four that count toward the score (25%).
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2027 models
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2027 models
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Rating applies to 2027 models
Side: updated test
Rating applies to 2027 models
Headlights
Β· (1) Trim level(s): All trims; built after June 2026, trim; built after June 2026
Headlights
Β· (2) Trim level(s): All trims; built before July 2026 Earlier build or outside this model year; excluded from the score.
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0
Rating applies to all 2027 models Β· standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Rating applies to all 2027 models Β· standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
Seat belt reminders
Rating applies to 2027 models
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2027 models
Opens on iihs.org in a new tab
How the score is built
IIHS crash-test videos
These videos are embedded on IIHSβs ratings page for this model. The tested vehicle may be an earlier model year or a related version whose results IIHS applies to this vehicle. Check the test description and source for the exact coverage.
Load a player to watch on this page, or use the YouTube link. Video footage helps explain the test; the published injury measurements and ratings are the basis for comparison.
Small overlap front: Passenger-side
Tested vehicle: 2026 Hyundai Palisade SEL Convenience 4-door 4wd
Rating applies to 2027 models
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Tested vehicle: 2027 Kia Telluride S 4-door 4wd
Rating applies to 2027 models
Real-world context
| Measure | Result | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Class driver death rate | 27 per million registered vehicle-years | Midsize SUVs as a class, adjusted for driver age and sex (Farmer, 2023); all vehicles average 38. Class context only. |
Compared with other midsize SUVs
Closest-scoring current midsize SUVs with complete IIHS records, plus the class leader. See every midsize SUVs ranked β
| Vehicle | Class rank | IIHS award | Rear restraints | Starts at | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 | #1 of 32 | TSP+ | $58,955 | 96.8 | |
| 2026 Hyundai Palisade | #1 of 32 | TSP+ | $38,935 | 96.8 | |
| 2026 Kia EV9 | #1 of 32 | TSP+ | $54,900 | 96.8 | |
| 2026 Honda Passport | #5 of 32 | TSP+ | $44,750 | 96.8 | |
| 2027 Kia Telluride (this page) | #1 of 32 | TSP+ | $39,190 | 96.8 |
Other model years of the Kia Telluride
| Model year | Status | IIHS award | Primary tests reported | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Telluride | Archived | TSP+ | 4/4 | 94.3 |
Each model year keeps its own record. Ratings from one year are never copied to another unless IIHS states the test applies.
Our analysis
The 2027 Kia Telluride belongs to the Midsize SUVs class. This class has a below-average driver death rate compared with the national average of 38 deaths per million registered vehicle-years. The class figure is adjusted for driver age and sex, which removes a large part of the selection effect in raw death rates. It is still a class average, not a measurement of this model.
The Kia Telluride earned Top Safety Pick+ in the 2026 award cycle. That award requires Good results in the updated tests plus qualifying headlights and pedestrian front crash prevention on the relevant trims; the linked IIHS report shows the exact trims.
Across the 6 IIHS rating categories reported, the Kia Telluride earned 6 Good ratings. Check the occupant-protection details above as well; a Good headline result can hide a weaker rear-seat subscore.
This analysis is produced independently; we have no affiliation with Kia or any manufacturer. Read the full methodology or learn more about us.
Safety recalls for the 2027 Kia Telluride
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must fix free of charge. It is separate from the crash-test record above: a vehicle can rate Good across every test and still be recalled.
3 recall campaigns on record, covering seat belts, seats.
-
Seat belts: front
Risk: A seat belt strap that does not extend can fail to restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt assembly, free of charge.
-
Seats: mid/rear assembly, power adjust
Risk: A person, especially a child, may become trapped by a rear powered seat, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to exercise caution when operating the second-row power seat functions until the repair is performed. Children are advised to not be in the rear seats or near the rear seating area during power-folding operation. The power second-row seat control unit software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, as necessary, free of charge.
-
Seat belts: rear/other, anchorage
Risk: A seat belt buckle that is not latched properly can fail to restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the anchor buckle assembly, as necessary, free of charge.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-10-01. A recall applies to a range of build dates, not necessarily every car of this model year, so confirm against your own VIN. Recalls do not affect the safety score on this page.
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Questions about the 2027 Kia Telluride
Is the 2027 Kia Telluride a safe car?
The 2027 Kia Telluride scores 96.8/100 in our published formula and ranks #1 of 32 current midsize SUVs with complete IIHS records. It holds the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. Award applies only to vehicles built after June 2026
What is the 2027 Kia Telluride IIHS rating?
IIHS reports: small overlap front = Good; moderate overlap front: updated test = Good; side: updated test = Good; headlights = Good; seat belt reminders = Good; latch ease of use = Good.
Is the 2027 Kia Telluride an IIHS Top Safety Pick?
Yes. The 2027 Kia Telluride is a IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for the 2026 award cycle.
How does the 2027 Kia Telluride compare with other midsize SUVs?
The class leader is the 2027 Kia Telluride at 96.8/100. The comparison table on this page lists the closest-scoring current midsize SUVs with complete records.
Continue comparing
Shopping for a family? Compare three-row vehicles and rear-seat evidence. Buying used? See real driver death rates by model.