2018 Kia Niro Earns Top Safety Pick+

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded its best rating possible, Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+), to the 2018 Kia Niro when equipped with available Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS) and Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEB) as well high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights.

The Niro is one of Kia’s most popular models, and a hybrid to boot. The fun to drive and efficient crossover is now a definite winner in our books now that the safety ratings are the best possible.

The TSP+ rating for Niro increases the total number of Kia vehicles with 2018 Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick Plus ratings to nine.

To qualify for TSP+, the IIHS testing parameters require a vehicle earn “Good” ratings in six crashworthiness tests – driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength, and head restraint – as well as a “Good” or “Acceptable” rating in the passenger side small overlap front test, an “Advanced” or “Superior” rating for front crash prevention, and a “Good” rating in headlight testing. To qualify for a TSP rating, a vehicle must earn “Good” ratings in five crashworthiness tests—driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. It also must earn an “Advanced” or “Superior” rating for front crash prevention, and an “Acceptable” or “Good” rating in headlight testing.