The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently awarded its highest safety honor, the Top Safety Pick+, to the redesigned 2027 Kia Telluride and the 2026–27 Tesla Model Y. Both SUVs passed tough crash and avoidance tests, though the awards come with important notes for potential buyers.
Kia Telluride’s Award Limited by Production Date
Only 2027 Kia Telluride models built after June 2026 qualify for the Top Safety Pick+. This is because Kia made improvements to its headlights midway through production, boosting performance from Marginal to Good. Earlier 2027 Tellurides with the older headlights do not meet the IIHS criteria for the award.
This highlights the significance of headlights in the IIHS evaluation. Good or Acceptable ratings on nighttime visibility and glare are mandatory across all trims for the top rating.
Tesla Model Y Maintains Strong Safety Results with Minor Flaws
The Tesla Model Y secured Good ratings in crash tests, headlights, and automatic emergency braking evaluations, continuing its streak as a top performer after its recent refresh. However, it received only a Marginal rating for its seat belt reminder system, marking a small shortfall on an otherwise strong safety report.
Other Tested Vehicles Missed Top Honors
Several other models tested by IIHS this cycle, including the BMW 3 Series, BMW i4, Lexus IS, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Crown Signia, did not earn any safety awards. The GMC Canyon notably struggled under updated crash avoidance standards.
The IIHS now includes stricter crash tests such as a heavier, faster side-impact barrier to better simulate real-world SUV collisions, and requires strong scores in vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian crash avoidance systems.
What This Means for Buyers
If you are considering a 2027 Kia Telluride, check the build date to ensure the model has the upgraded headlights that qualify for IIHS’s highest safety rating. For Tesla Model Y buyers, the award confirms the vehicle’s solid safety, though the seat belt reminder system remains an area for improvement.
Both vehicles’ safety results demonstrate the growing complexity of meeting top safety standards, which now require balanced performance across crash tests, crash prevention systems, and lighting quality.
More details on the 2027 Kia Telluride’s features and pricing are available for those comparing it to Kia’s electric models and other midsize SUVs.
Source: IIHS
Via: Motor1.com
Source: motor1.com