Hyundai Takes the Lead in 2025 IIHS Safety Awards: What Little Rock Drivers Should Know

At Crain Hyundai of Little Rock, we know safety is one of the most important factors when choosing a new vehicle. That’s why we’re excited to share that Hyundai has earned five 2025 Top Safety Pick+ awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These awards highlight Hyundai’s dedication to protecting every passenger—front and rear. Additionally, for continuous safety, it’s crucial to follow regular car safety inspections as recommended. The IIHS’s rigorous evaluation process, including crash tests and other assessments, underscores Hyundai’s commitment to safety.

The latest safety ratings focus heavily on second-row protection. This is an area where Hyundai is making significant improvements. From downtown drives and school pickups to weekend getaways in the Ouachita Mountains, Little Rock drivers can count on Hyundai to deliver dependable, real-world protection.

What Changed in 2025? A Focus on Rear Passenger Safety

The IIHS updates its standards every year to raise the bar for vehicle safety. For 2025, a major change involves rear passenger protection. The updated moderate overlap front crash test now includes an additional dummy behind the driver to represent a child or smaller adult. This allows IIHS to evaluate how well second-row passengers are protected in a collision. Manufacturers are being challenged to enhance safety features, particularly for rear passengers.

Here’s what vehicles must achieve to earn IIHS awards in 2025:

• Top Safety Pick: At least an acceptable rating in the revised rear crash test
• Top Safety Pick+: A good rating in that same test

Many vehicles are built to protect front-seat occupants, but the back seat often doesn’t receive the same level of protection. Hyundai is stepping up to close that gap. Small cars are also evaluated under the new safety criteria.

To qualify for the 2025 IIHS awards, vehicles must meet stringent criteria. This includes achieving good ratings in updated side and small overlap front crash tests, as well as acceptable or good pedestrian crash prevention (day and night). Good-rated headlights across all trim levels are also required.

Additional requirements for 2025 IIHS awards include:

• Good ratings in updated side and small overlap front crash tests
• Acceptable or good pedestrian crash prevention (day and night)
• Good-rated headlights across all trim levels

Advanced technology plays a crucial role in meeting these new safety standards, ensuring higher protection for all vehicle occupants.

Hyundai’s 2025 Top Safety Pick+ Winners

Despite more demanding evaluations, five Hyundai models earned the top IIHS honor:

• 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 (Electric)
• 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 (Electric)
• 2025 Hyundai Kona (Gas model)
• 2025 Hyundai Tucson/Tucson Hybrid
• 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe/Santa Fe Hybrid (built after November 2024)

These evaluations are crucial in reducing motor vehicle crashes.

These vehicles underwent extensive crash testing, pedestrian detection evaluations, and assessments of seat belt systems and rear occupant protection. Their performance in the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) further validates Hyundai’s safety leadership. The IIHS is a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to reducing motor vehicle crash fatalities and injuries.

Safety professionals play a significant role in advocating for improved vehicle safety standards. Most recently for rear-seat occupants.

The IIHS is also an educational organization dedicated to improving vehicle safety through research, evaluation, and consumer education.

Hyundai Motor Group Leads the Industry

Hyundai’s success in 2025 is matched by its sister brands, Kia and Genesis. In total, Hyundai Motor Group took home 12 IIHS Top Safety Pick or Pick+ awards. This is more than any other automotive group. These honors are the result of long-term investments in engineering, innovation, and customer protection. Such prestigious safety awards significantly influence consumer purchase decisions. It encourages them to choose vehicles that prioritize their safety.

This consistent performance proves that Hyundai Motor Group is not only keeping up with evolving standards—it’s staying ahead of them. The importance of safety in various street conditions cannot be overstated. It ensures the well-being of passengers in diverse driving environments.

The advanced safety measures implemented by Hyundai Motor Group play a crucial role in reducing deaths from vehicle crashes. This provides better protection for all occupants.

Moreover, these achievements underscore the vital role of policymakers in setting and maintaining high safety standards. This ensures that automakers continue to innovate and prioritize passenger safety.

Smart Safety Starts with Hyundai SmartSense

Hyundai vehicles are designed for real families and real situations. That’s why many models come standard with Hyundai SmartSense. This suite of advanced safety features is built to help prevent accidents and reduce injuries. These features are crucial for consumers seeking reliable safety for themselves and their families.

Key SmartSense features include:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist–Detects vehicles and pedestrians to help prevent front-end collisions
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning–Alerts you to vehicles in your blind spot
• Lane Keeping Assist–Helps keep your vehicle centered in its lane
• Rear Occupant Alert–Reminds you to check the back seat before exiting
• Side Airbags for Rear Passengers–Offers additional protection in side-impact crashes

These safety features include standard equipment such as advanced sensors. There are also alert systems to ensure optimal performance.

Cole Stutz, Hyundai’s Chief Safety Officer, said it best: “We want every passenger—front or back—to be safe. That’s why we’ve added better seat belts, enhanced airbags, and smart alert systems to protect vehicle occupants effectively.” These innovations play a significant role in minimizing property damage during accidents.

Additionally, these safety features are compared to other vehicles. This ensures Hyundai meets and exceeds industry standards.

Safety for Every Little Rock Adventure

Driving in Little Rock means staying ready for anything. That includes busy commutes on I-630, family outings at the Little Rock Zoo, or day trips to Pinnacle Mountain. Hyundai’s 2025 Top Safety Pick+ models are built to keep you and your loved ones safe on every trip. Updated safety standards and tests are designed to better protect child occupants. A new crash test includes a dummy representing a 12-year-old child sitting in the second row. This is to address safety gaps for younger passengers.

These vehicles don’t just protect in a crash—they’re designed to help avoid one altogether. With industry-leading crash prevention and advanced occupant protection, Hyundai gives you the confidence to take on whatever’s ahead. The safety of different cars in various scenarios is thoroughly evaluated to ensure maximum protection.

As IIHS President David Harkey puts it: “Every 2025 award-winning Hyundai offers excellent protection for both front and back seat passengers.” These evaluations consider various risk factors to provide a comprehensive safety assessment.

Additionally, the crashworthiness of these vehicles is assessed to ensure they meet federal safety standards. They provide top-tier protection in the event of a collision.

Explore Hyundai’s Safest Models at Crain Hyundai of Little Rock

Looking for a vehicle that puts safety first? Visit Crain Hyundai of Little Rock to explore our lineup of 2025 Top Safety Pick+ winners:

• The all-electric Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6
• The versatile Tucson and Santa Fe SUVs
• The fun and efficient Kona

The government plays a crucial role in vehicle safety regulations. This ensures that all models meet stringent standards.

Ask about financing or lease offers. There’s also EV incentives like free home charger installation on select models. Our team is ready to help you find the right Hyundai for your lifestyle. One that keeps your family safe wherever the road takes you. Education on vehicle safety features is essential for making informed consumer decisions.

Stop by today or schedule your test drive online. Experience why Hyundai continues to set the standard for vehicle safety. Achieving an acceptable or good rating in crash tests is a testament to Hyundai’s commitment to safety.

Weight considerations are crucial in safety evaluations. It affects overall vehicle performance in crash scenarios. Hyundai’s models are designed to compare favorably with other vehicles in their class. This ensures top-notch safety.

SUV models like the Tucson and Santa Fe come equipped with advanced safety features. This makes them ideal for families. Additionally, Hyundai offers various power options. These include gas and hybrid, to suit different driving needs.

You can compare safety ratings across different Hyundai models to find the best fit for your needs. Hyundai vehicles consistently earn good ratings in crash tests. This reflects their superior safety standards.

Crash prevention tests are integral to evaluating vehicle safety. Hyundai excels in these assessments. The focus on reducing deaths through improved safety features underscores Hyundai’s dedication to protecting all passengers.

Tags: 2025 models, Awards, Back seat, Crash test, Hyundai, IIHS, Little Rock, Safety, SmartSense, Top Safety Pick+
Posted in Crain Hyundai of Little Rock | No Comments »