Automotive designs and engineering are rapidly evolving, and new cars today look and perform differently than models from just a few years ago. That’s especially true for heavier, much quicker electric vehicles. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety updates its crash-testing criteria to account for the changes, which can often result in poorer scores in some categories.
Hyundai Motor Group bucked that trend in early testing this year, earning six Top Safety Pick + designations, the IIHS’ highest award, making it the most awarded automaker so far.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6, Genesis Electrified G80, Hyundai Kona, Kia Telluride, Genesis GV80, and Genesis GV60 earned the top award, while ten others earned the second-highest Top Safety Pick title. Toyota came in second with one Top Safety Pick + and 12 Top Safety Picks. It’s important to note that some brands don’t get crash-tested, and the IIHS doesn’t test commercial vehicles. Lower-volume automakers like Land Rover and high-end brands like Porsche don’t get tested because of the massive price tag that comes with smashing up vehicles like the Range Rover and 911.
Beyond the considerable expense, crash testing takes time, so the IIHS will continue publishing new scores throughout the year. Recent updates to its testing criteria include significantly increasing the amount of force used in side-impact tests, stricter pedestrian crash prevention systems, and a new metric for potential chest injuries in the moderate overlap front crash test.
[Image: IIHS via YouTube]
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