The new Kia Sportage is not only a stylish and versatile SUV but also one of the safest vehicles on the road. It has been awarded the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) 2023 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) rating, the highest possible safety rating from the independent organization. This means that the Sportage excelled in all six crashworthiness tests and the headlight and front crash prevention evaluations. In this article, we will explore how the Kia Sportage achieved this remarkable feat and what it means for you as a potential buyer.
The IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award: What It Is and Why It Matters
The IIHS is a nonprofit research and education organization that aims to reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes. It conducts rigorous tests to evaluate how well vehicles protect their occupants in various scenarios, such as frontal, side, rear, and rollover crashes. It also assesses the performance of headlights and the effectiveness of front crash prevention systems, such as automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning.
The IIHS awards two levels of safety ratings: TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) and TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+). To qualify for a TSP rating, a vehicle must earn good ratings in all six crashworthiness tests, as well as an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention. To qualify for a TSP+ rating, a vehicle must meet all the criteria for a TSP rating, plus a good or acceptable rating for headlights.
The TSP+ rating is the most coveted and challenging award to achieve, as it represents the highest standard of safety in the industry. Only a handful of vehicles each year manage to earn this distinction, and the 2024 Kia Sportage is one of them.