For Arizona families, safety is not just a line on a features list. It is the foundation of every drive, from morning school drop-offs in Avondale to weekend road trips through Scottsdale and beyond. That is why the team at Earnhardt Hyundai is proud to share some exciting news.
Hyundai earned seven 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick awards this year, including six Top Safety Pick+ designations and one Top Safety Pick. When it comes to protecting the people who matter most, Hyundai continues to raise the bar.
The 2026 Hyundai lineup offers an award-winning vehicle for just about every lifestyle. Here are the models that earned top honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
2026 Hyundai Tucson: A family-favorite SUV built for everything from grocery runs to weekend getaways in the Arizona desert. Adding more peace of mind, the 2026 Tucson and Tucson Hybrids have earned 5 stars from the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration.
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe: Spacious, versatile, and now recognized as one of the safest SUVs on the road. This 3-row SUV also has its 5-star federal rating.
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9: Going electric does not mean compromising on safety. These all-electric models prove you can drive green and keep your family protected. The Ioniq 5 also has a 5-star NHTSA rating.
2026 Hyundai Kona: A compact SUV that punches well above its weight when it comes to keeping passengers safe. As the IIHS website notes, it is the least expensive SUV on the Top Safety Pick list this year.
2026 Hyundai Sonata: A midsize sedan that combines comfort with top-tier safety performance. It, too, has earned the 5-star rating from the NHTSA.
2026 Hyundai Elantra: A smart, efficient sedan with the safety credentials to match. This honor is especially meaningful given that there are some SUVS — as well as many cars — that aren’t on the Top Safety Pick list this year.
Whether you need a spacious SUV, a practical sedan, or a zero-emissions EV, there is an award-winning Hyundai waiting for you at Earnhardt Hyundai. You can search our Hyundai inventory to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
Note: For some 2026 models, full NHTSA sub-ratings (Frontal, Side, and Rollover) may still be in the process of being published as testing continues throughout the calendar year. Likewise, the IIHS may still be assessing models. You can learn more about individual vehicle ratings at IIHS or NHTSA.
Hyundai did not just meet last year’s bar. It cleared a higher one. Earning an IIHS award in 2026 is harder than ever, and that is great news for families.
The IIHS raised its standards this year with a stronger focus on protecting rear-seat passengers, including kids in car seats and teens. Vehicles now need a “Good” rating in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, which includes a rear-seat dummy for the first time as a requirement for the award. For 2026 Top Safety Pick+, models must pass a tougher pedestrian crash prevention test and the updated vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0 front crash prevention evaluation.
In simple terms, these stricter tests indicate that Top Safety Pick vehicles on the road today are safer than ever, especially for back-seat passengers.
One of the best things about Hyundai’s approach to safety? It’s more affordable than many rivals. You do not have to upgrade or add expensive packages to get the good stuff. Every 2026 Hyundai comes equipped with seven standard SmartSense safety features. Each is designed to help you avoid crash scenarios.
These features work together to help you stay aware on every drive, whether navigating rush hour on the I-10 or cruising through your neighborhood. SmartSense technology also played a key role in helping Hyundai meet the IIHS’s tougher crash avoidance requirements for 2026. It is peace of mind, built right in.
Hyundai’s achievements are part of an even bigger story. Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia, earned a combined 16 IIHS awards for 2026, with 15 Top Safety Pick+ and one Top Safety Pick.
Sibling rival Kia earned four TSP+ awards and luxury nameplate Genesis earned five TSP+ awards. That makes Hyundai Motor Group an industry leader in the IIHS program this year. If you are interested in Genesis or Kia models, Earnhardt Auto Centers is still your destination. You can visit Genesis of Chandler, Genesis of Scottsdale, or Peoria Kia.
Genesis achieved a clean sweep, with every recognized model earning the “Plus” designation. The TSP+ winners include Genesis GV70, Electrified GV70, GV60, G80 (built after June 2025), and GV80. Search Genesis inventory.
Kia surprised automotive experts when its all-new K4 sedan took Top Safety Pick Plus, Other Kia TSP+ awards went to the electric three-row EV9, the Sorento SUV (built after September 2025), and the Sportage (built after May 2025). Search Kia inventory.
Safety is personal. It is about knowing your family is protected on every trip, every day. Hyundai’s seven 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick awards show that the brand takes that responsibility seriously, and so does the team at Earnhardt Hyundai. We invite you to visit Earnhardt Hyundai to see these award-winning vehicles in person.
Schedule a test drive to experience SmartSense safety features firsthand and find the right Hyundai for your family. Serving Arizona families from our Avondale, North Scottsdale, and Gilbert locations, we are here to help you drive with confidence. Browse the full 2026 Hyundai lineup at Earnhardt Hyundai online, or call to schedule your test drive today.
