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Hyundai’s flagship electric SUVs are affordable and ‘top-tier’ for safety

Hyundai Motor Group, including Kia and Genesis, won the most IIHS Top Safety Award for the second year in a row, with its flagship electric SUVs delivering “top-tier” safety performance in every test.

The South Korean auto giant won 21 total Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ Awards in 2025 across the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands.

Of them, 18 models achieved the highest rating (TSP+). The Hyundai brand led with eight TSP+ and two TSP ratings, Kia received five TSP+ ratings, and Genesis won five TSP+ and one TSP rating.

Hyundai and Kia’s flagship electric SUVs were among the models that received the highest safety performance ranking.

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The all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 9 and Kia EV9 SUVs earned the top rating in every crashworthiness and crash-avoidance test. Hyundai’s popular IONIQ 5, along with the Genesis GV60 and Electrified GV70, also secured the top TSP+ rating.

Hyundai said the results “further underscore the proven safety fundamentals of Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP),” which underpins its IONIQ series, Kia’s EVs, and the Genesis GV60.

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2026 Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)

Hyundai bets on electric SUVs in the US

If you’re seeing more Hyundai and Kia vehicles on the road, it’s not just you. Hyundai is on track for another record sales year in the US, marking its fifth consecutive record year.

After selling more vehicles in the first 11 months of the year, Hyundai Motor North America CEO Randy Parker said he fully expects to go “5 for 5” in 2025.

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2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)

Parker credited strong demand for its hybrid SUVs, including hybrids like the Tucson, Santa Fe, and Pallisade. Although sales of fully electric models, including the flagship IONIQ 9 and IONIQ 5, slipped in November, they are still up compared to this time last year.

The Korean automaker continues winning over buyers with some of the most efficient, affordable, and safe electric vehicles.

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Hyundai IONIQ 9 built at HMGMA (Source: Hyundai)

While other brands, like Ford and Volkswagen, are scaling back EV plans for the US, Hyundai is going full speed ahead.

Hyundai Motor’s CEO, Jose Munoz, said during an interview with the Atlanta Business Chronicle last week that “We’re going to increase production capacity in Georgia, beyond what we have already announced.”

By localizing production, Hyundai is “taking actions to remain competitive, to optimize our cost,” Munuz explained during the interview.

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2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 interior (Source: Hyundai)

Although those in the US won’t get to see Hyundai and Kia’s new entry-level EVs, the IONIQ 3 and EV2, their current models are already among the most affordable you can get your hands on.

Kia is offering over $10,000 in discounts on every EV in its lineup, including the EV9, EV6, and Niro EV. Hyundai may still take the cake with IONIQ 5 leases as low as $189 a month. It’s hard to find any lease for under $200 a month, but a fully electric SUV? The larger IONIQ 9 is available to lease for just $419 a month.

Both the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 are built at Hyundai’s Metplant (HMGMA) in Georgia. The EV9 and EV6 are assembled at Kia’s West Point, Georgia, facility.

Want to see one in person? The links below make it easy to find Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles near you.

Electric Vehicles:

Hybrid vehicles:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

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Avatar for Peter Johnson Peter Johnson

Peter Johnson is covering the auto industry’s step-by-step transformation to electric vehicles. He is an experienced investor, financial writer, and EV enthusiast. His enthusiasm for electric vehicles, primarily Tesla, is a significant reason he pursued a career in investments. If he isn’t telling you about his latest 10K findings, you can find him enjoying the outdoors or exercising